Dear Lily:

I hope you jump over your own shadow this Sunday!

“I should also stop saying those vague words. but it is a habit I cultivated for such a long time”- we are indeed habitual creatures, but we can learn new habits, and the more we practice them, the faster they will become habits as strong as the ones we replaced.

Writing things down, planning your days, exercising, all these are activities that the more you practice, the more habitual they will become.

Regarding work: when colleague A complains to you about colleague B, don’t say anything negative to A about B. Don’t say anything to A about B that you wouldn’t say directly to B.

Also when A complains at length about B, gently interrupt and say something empathetic like: it must be tough on you, and then say something that will remove the topic of B from the conversation/ change the topic somewhat.

Thank you and have a good day yourself!

anita