This is a good guideline for setting healthy personal boundaries.  Being patient and understanding with difficult people can give them a safe place to become more aware of, and change, their behavior.   However, we should not subject ourselves to people who continually cause us discomfort or pain.  And when it is time to let these people go, we can do it with kindness and respect.

3 STEPS TO TAKE WHEN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

1. ASK THEM TO CHANGE – Do what you can to get the person to change or stop what they’re doing.  Sometimes they are just oblivious to people around them and they don’t realize that what they’re doing or how they’re acting is affecting others.  Often just voicing your needs begins to open doors to change.  People can’t always read out minds.  If we’re not getting what we want, the first step is to ask for it.

2. ACCEPT THEM – If the person can’t change (if it’s an aspect of their personality that’s ingrained), or if they’re really uncaring or in denial and they refuse to change, then you have to close the door on complaining and lamenting over how they should be, and accept what is.  Don’t look back, don’t sit and complain.  If you can’t change them, you can’t change them.

3. AVOID THEM – We should challenge ourselves to be as accepting as possible, but we should never endure behavior that causes us discomfort or pain. If we cannot accept someone the way that they are, we need to avoid them.  Let them go from your life with kindness and respect.  And if you absolutely cannot do this, go back to step 2 – that’s the only way to save your sanity.

NOTE: The 4^th choice, staying stuck and complaining about the person, is not a choice, it’s a victim role.

So go out there and be an amazing example of strength and love in action!