Dealing With Troublemakers

"Arrgh!"  The cry of annoyance is heard everywhere, and it is mostly caused by a person who causes problems or trouble, also known as a troublemaker. Whatever label you assign him/her you know that this person has been making your life a bit more unpleasant than usual. Anyone can relate to this situation, whether its doctor-patient, employer-employee, brother-sister ( I fall in this category) etc. We all want to find ways to avoid these people. Keep in mind though, that not all troublemakers intentionally bother people, in facts they may be trying to help (in this case you can just talk out your situation).

Firstly, let me explain the notable characteristics of these so-called problem people:

• They can throw you off balance or make you seem powerless
• They seem to manipulate you
• They can hurt you emotionally
• They can make you do things you wouldn't normally do

These people can come from pretty much anywhere from work to the Internet. Instinct tells you to just avoid troublemakers whenever possible, unless you can't (i.e. family or work). In this case, you may want to do the opposite. What? It sounds counter intuitive, and it seems at first glance, but by allowing yourself to be in the position to be annoyed, you can examine the difficulties you are presented with, which can lead to an advantage. You can predict what emotional trap is being set and be prepared. Make sure you are ready for an encounter like this though, stay calm and hold on to your sense of self-being. Setting also plays a role. Leave a disagreement if you have to and come back when you have thought things through.

Instead of this, you may want to choose a simpler and a slightly more effective option. This would be patience, or some form of tolerance or just downright ignoring the heckler (like Tony Blair). Seeking a counselor or a mediator isn't a bad idea either, as this can achieve a peaceful resolution as well.

So next time, remember these helpful tips if someone asks you a million questions or argues with you or makes things difficult for you.