Headed somewhere you know you’ll encounter a challenging person? Here are five steps to cultivating compassion for those who annoy you:
- Take a mindful pause.
- Notice what you are feeling.
- Ask yourself what these feelings may be trying to teach you. Remember that feelings are our internal GPS.
- Remind yourself that we have all had difficult moments and behaviors.
- Remain open to how an experience with a challenging person may have more to do with you than them. Oftentimes, internal reflection and deeper exploration are needed in order to make a shift in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors towards challenging people.