Use the Q-Tip Method to Beat the Negatives in Your Life

Someone once said, “Why rush through life? You never get out alive.” Sometimes just getting through the day takes everything you’ve got.

We’re exposed to over 5,000 verbal and optical messages each day.

Most pass us without a second thought.

But some strike a nerve. Some things make us sit up and take notice and lash out in some cases.

Others cause us to hide and shrink into our protective shells.

We, as humans, react to outside stimuli. Our emotions run the gamut of pleasure to pain, highs to lows.

Each of us processes these stimuli differently.

Some of us take daily adverse events in stride, while others can sink into a deep depression.

The root of the problem is what causes us to react as we do.

Once we discover the reasoning, we can find ways to process and assimilate the information.

One of the ways I’ve found that helps in many circumstances is to use the Q-Tip Method.

I think you’ll find it’s good for your emotional well-being and help you look at life from a new perspective.

What is the Q-Tip Method?

While Q-Tips are a helpful physical tool, the acronym of Q-Tip can also help you maintain a stable mental personality.

It stands for “Quit Taking It Personally.”

Easier said than done — right?

Like it or not, we take things personally. We’re human. We’re pack animals.

We need affection, acceptance, appreciation, recognition, devotion, and a dozen other nouns.

Even when people talk in generalities, we often question, “Is she talking about me when she says that?”

One of my good Facebook liberal friends always says, “It’s not all about you.”

For many of us, it is all about us.

Our world revolves around us. We are the center of our universe. Others are the planets that revolve around us.

And we’re not only involved in our own lives but often inject ourselves into the lives of others to the point of taking it personally when we’re unwelcomed into their friend zone with open arms.

A single word can destroy a lifelong relationship. How is that possible?

Why do we succumb to feelings rather than logic?

Why are we so restrained by speech?

But It’s Personal

It’s hard not to take things personally when they’re personally directed at you specifically.

When fired from a job, I remember the comment, “It’s business — not personal.”

It sure seemed personal, but I realized when the dust settled that my boss was correct.

I worked with a company where the CEO had the rule of always giving “Two warm fuzzes for every cold prickly.”

He didn’t want his cold, prickly comment to the person being reprimanded for being the employee’s only frame of reference.

The employee needed the two warm fuzzes to balance things out because we take positive comments personally, too.

Anyone who ever received an employee evaluation knows that “but” is the great eraser.

“You did A, B, and C great, but D needs help.”

That single word “but” cancels out everything said before it.

“D” is laser-focused at the top of your mind. . Negatives overpower positives.

Some Final Thoughts on the Q-Tip Method

Here’s another good rule to keep in mind.

For someone to insult you, you must value that person’s opinion and give value to their thoughts.

You and only you provide them with that power over you.

So, when negative comments come and will come, use the Q-Tip Method to neutralize the negative and quit taking it personally.

Take back your power, and have a good day.

Comments are always welcome because I don’t take negatives personally.

Subscriptions, pledges, and tips are always welcome.

Thanks for reading.