You may remember last month's tip was to SMILE as soon as you wake up each morning.  Are you still smiling?  That's great!

In this issue, I’ll tell you how to stay in The Positive Zone by staying away from Negative People.

But first, here's another easy way to get in The Zone:

Tip #105: Take a brisk ten-minute walk

Notice I didn’t say take a one HOUR walk or even jog for ten minutes. 

Nope.  A study by Northern Arizona University showed just a brisk ten-minute walk is enough to improve a bad mood and re-charge your batteries.

And if you walk for ten minutes three times in one day, you'll also gain real cardiovascular benefits and burn over 350 calories, or enough for a no-guilt dip cone from Dairy Queen!

So forget excuses like, “I don’t have time to walk,” or “I need the right kind of shoes.”  Just put on any old comfortable shoes and walk out the door and around the office or around the block.
Go on.  I mean, right now! Take a ten-minute walk and I'll be here when you get back!

“I like long walks…especially when they’re taken by people who annoy me.”

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Tip #106:  Stay Away From Negative People

We all know Negative People, people who were weaned on lemons, also known as “Rise and Whiners.”

When you ask, “How are you?” they respond with a list of everything that is WRONG in their life.

And don't bother saying, "Cheer up!" or offering them advice, because Negative People aren’t interested in solutions to their problems, right? 
They’re only interested in finding fault with everything around them.

As your monthly Positive Zone Coach, I must implore you, don’t go to their pity party and stay as far away from Negative People as you possibly can!

Why? 

Because Negative People are infectious and will infect you if you let them. 

If a co-worker constantly complains (“I hate my job. My boss is an idiot. These doughnuts are stale.”), they just want you to agree with them and then be as miserable as they are. 

They can't whine all by themselves and will glom onto anyone who lets them.  They're as infectious and deadly as poison ivy!

When I warn participants in my “Working in The Positive Zone” seminar (click here for seminar details) to avoid Negative People,  someone inevitably asks, “But, Susan, I have to sit next to a negative person at work. How do I get away from them?”

My response is: You may not get to choose who you sit next to at work, but you DO get to choose who you talk to during your breaks. You DO get to choose who you go to lunch with. 

So choose to stay away from Negative People or arrange it so you only have to deal with them in small doses.  If possible, communicate by e-mail rather than in person or on the telephone. This is particularly true if the negative person is a family member!

You can’t totally eliminate Negative People from your life; but you do NOT have to let their constant complaining suck the very life force out of you!

In fact, if a  "Rise and Whiner" walks into your office or home, just "Rise and Walk" out the door and take that ten-minute walk we talked about!

Until next month...... Keep smiling and stay in The  Zone!