You know who they are. The ones who test your patience and push your buttons. You try not to let them get to you but before you know it, your blood is boiling and you’re ready to give them a piece of your mind…

But don’t. Just breathe. Take a step back. Reevaluate. Repeat after me: “I will rise above.”

We come across these people at some point in our lives. Whether it’s your boss, friend, colleague or the wrath of your relatives during the holiday season, they will test your patience and even your claim to sanity. But ladies, don’t allow the negativity to infiltrate you—learn from adversity and move forward.

We live in a world filled with diverse opinions, beliefs and personalities. We’re bound to clash every now and then. We’re even bound to make poor decisions, hurt the people we love and say things that are hard to take back. Yes, sometimes we’re the “day-ruiners” but that only reminds us that we’re human. We make mistakes, we grow and we learn.

So, if you find yourself dealing with a difficult person, don’t lose your cool. Practice these easy and effective strategies to regain your personal power:

Choose Your Battles Wisely
Boy Bye! Don’t’ let anyone else but YOU decide what sort of day you’re going to have. At the end of the day, your health and happiness is first priority—don’t hesitate to take the high road home.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Be ready but not on the defense. Know yourself and what makes you tick. Not every action requires a reaction. In fact, the less reactive you are, the more room you’ll have to use your better judgment to handle the situation.

Remain Objective
This one’s tough. Try separating the person from the issue and widen your perspective to better understand what’s going on. See things as they really are, rather than from a personally biased viewpoint.

Refocus Your Thoughts/Emotions
Pay attention to how your thoughts and feelings change. Recognize the physical and emotional impact the conflict has on you and refocus that energy on more productive things.

When you find yourself at the breaking point, remember you always have three choices: You can either let a situation define you, destroy you or strengthen you.

Here’s to choosing strength and great days ahead!

Xoxo,