Are You Letting Others Dump Their Garbage on You?

Sep 18, 2024

UCampus Group Difference makers don't let others dump their trash on them.

Hello Difference Makers!

How often do you allow others around you to impact your day negatively? You know, those individuals we are constantly running into who…

√ Complain about the weather, traffic, or politics

√ Rehash arguments they had with their partner

√ Give excuses for not having enough time

√ Fret over money and expenses

√ Worry about a situation that has yet to occur

Being around them can be completely draining. On top of that, it is so easy to get sucked into their worries and woes when we, too, have busy schedules, families to juggle, a household to manage, and a heavy workload.

“Complaining is an energy-draining habit. Redirect that energy towards things that bring you joy and growth.” - Jeremiah Say

Roy Baumeister, an American psychologist, took it upon himself to research the impacts of negativity and complaining. As a result, he found the following statements to be true.

- Individuals remember bad things that happen in their life better than good things that take place.

- Negative situations leave a bigger impact on an individual life and effects their thoughts and actions more than a positive interaction.

This is a problem.

What do you do when you want to spread gratitude & positivity when others around you want to dump their garbage all over the place?

You know…

√ Bad drivers on the road √ Unrealistic bosses √ Pushy salesman √ Nosey neighbors or acquaintances √ Bad customer service reps √ Moody co-workers √ Unloving family members

The author of the book The Law of the Garbage Truck, David J. Pollay, was in New York City, taking a taxi to get to the airport. As his driver was driving down the lane of an already crowded road, a black car jumped out of a parking place directly in front of his cab. The taxi skidded, swerved to try to stop, and barely missed the vehicle in front of him.

The driver of the black car was not happy, even though he had almost caused the accident. He rolled down the window of his car and started yelling at David and his taxi driver. He even threw one finger up for extra emphasis to make his point.

What did David’s taxi driver do?

He smiled and waved.

David asked, “Why did you do that?” This is what the driver said…The Law of the Garbage Truck.

“Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of anger, disappointment, worry, and frustration. Day after day, that energy gets all pent up inside.

As their garbage fills up, they do what any garbage truck would do. They look for a place to dump it.”

He told David directly, “If you let them, they will dump it all over you. Don’t let them. And if you do. Do not take it personally.

Instead, smile, wave, and wish them well. Then, move on!

David sat in the back of his taxi, quietly thinking for a moment. “How often do I let garbage trucks run over me.?How often do I let them dump on me? How often do I take their garbage and spread it to others?”

At home?

At work?

On the street?

He told himself, “I don’t want their garbage. And I certainly am not going to spread it to others anymore.”

The lesson is…

Do not take on the negative things people dump on you that you cannot control personally. Rather, take responsibility for the things you can control. You get to choose your response in life, and it does not have to include garbage.

In a resident facility, it is often easy to see a lot of garbage trucks driving around.

Do you notice specific individuals on your team, past or present, who bring their garbage to work? You probably notice that they seek ways to dump garbage on you or other staff members.

First and foremost, do not take it personally. You have nothing to do with their life outside of work. Instead, strive to be the individual they can come to when they are ready to be solution-oriented.

Complainers change their complaints, but they never reduce the amount of time in complaining. - Mason Cooley

While we cannot control their thoughts and actions, as a leader, model to your team how to shift their mindset, change perspectives, focus on gratitude, and celebrate the things that are going well. Soon, you will find that individuals will not come to you to dump their garbage because they know you are willing not to catch the “woe is me” bug.

Let more garbage trucks pass you by.

What about your residents?

We love them! They are the reason we show up to work and do what we do. But, let’s be honest, we may not always be able to keep them from dumping their garbage on us, but we can control whether we take on their garbage or not.

Remember, it is not for us. For many, they are there with you because their health is declining, and they do not feel well. While others are there, but really, they’d really prefer to be somewhere else.

How about you?

Do you bring your garbage to work? Do you dump your garbage on your staff, residents, or their families? Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining.

It bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn’t solve any problems.- Zig Ziglar

We feed off the energy of others and transfer energy to others regardless of whether it is positive or negative. On top of that, it is your choice how you react to people, situations, and events around you. Before acting, use this acronym FIRST…

F- Focus- on what you can control.

I- Improve your relationships and increase your productivity and respect.

R- Rethink your actions, and don't let your emotions get the best of you.

S- Stop reliving the negative in your past. Don’t be afraid of the future!

It is so easy to spread garbage or to pick it up, but when you regain control of your thoughts and actions, you can consciously let go of the bad and leave room for the good.

For more great leadership tips and doses of inspiration, follow us on our Facebook page by clicking the link below!

The UCampus Group Team

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