In our daily activities, we interact with a variety of people from different lifestyles. We encounter people in different situations thereby calling for a different portrayal of the way we deal with each of them. Like any other person, I had a distinct way of dealing with people described as flexible as opposed to rigid. Since my earlier stage of life, I adopted an open and a positive way of interacting with people, socialization that has played a key role in my way of dealing with them.
For instance, in the workplace, I like associating with my colleagues and especially the low-level staffs. I find gratitude when I speak with them sharing issues relating to life. This has enabled my junior level staffs to be free and open to me and even going further to tell me about their personal lives. Likewise, this has also affected me as I share with them my personal experiences.
When it comes to my family members and relatives, I am very close to them, and dealing with them has been very easy, as they understand me wholesomely, as I likewise understand them. This closeness has made dealing with them easier. However, my decision to change from the way I deal with them is due to increased responsibility in terms of addressing some of their problems.
Also, most of them seek my assistance, both financial and social, hence inconveniencing most of my plans. Therefore, by distance from them, it will help me in dealing with them effectively. My new way of dealing with them is by distancing myself from them. I manage this by reducing my level of interaction with them. When I am interacting with them, I avoid discussing personal issues but focus on the most important things.
For instance, at work, I have cut my interactions and availability. Furthermore, I try as much as possible to put on a serious face, by depicting my authority whereby I present myself to them as their boss. When it comes to family relationships, I have improvised ways in which I deal with them. One of the ways is avoiding unnecessary meetings and gatherings, which do not add value to me.
Also, I am clear about my boundary, as I do not allow myself to be a friend to everyone sometimes denying myself some crucial favors. Furthermore, I tell those who try to encroach on my time to “excuse me when I require ample time” (Dustin, 2005, p.45). This change has had remarkable impacts, not only to me but also to the people I encounter.
Moving from the way people knew me and the way I used to do my things has significantly affected me to some level. One of the effects is the feeling of betrayal from the people. People who knew me as a socializing person and a person who once liked making fun have not yet believed my changed style of living.
This change has early affected them as they always feel that I was a pretender or rather a spy who wanted to get something from them. They always feel secluded developing a negative attitude towards me. On the other hand, this trend has also affected me negatively as I feel something missing in me. I have lost morale with a feeling of losing my dear friends, who initially interacted with me freely.
Reference List
Dustin, W. (2005). 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done. Web.