Remember, if someone is willing to talk about someone behind their back, they will likely be willing to do the same to you. Gossip has no place at work. Do your best not to engage and cut people off who partake. Sure, you want to keep your ear to the ground to understand what’s happening with the company, but worrying about non-business related things is nothing but a waste of time for everyone. When coworkers start to spread the juice or throw shade, simply tell them to stop.

I may be way off base on this but in my experience complainers drink a lot of coffee, smoke a lot of cigarettes, visit the bathroom a lot, and just find ways to take a lot of breaks. Because breaks mean an audience to complain to. I’m not suggesting you max out your bladder. What I am recommending is that you learn these people’s routines and adapt accordingly. It’s a small sacrifice that can pay dividends.

Negative people can rarely be saved (at work), and why they are so sour is not your concern. Since you control your own destiny, make it a habit to tell negative people that you choose not to engage. Your decision to tune out negative dialogue has nothing to do with who is wrong or who is right; it is not an indictment of their predicament or personality. It is, however, a commitment to yourself to keep yourself focused and (relatively) happy. The follow-up to this is to be sure you enforce your own rule consistently. We all know the negative person will be looking for any excuse to take your decision personally.

“If you cannot be positive, then at least, be quiet.” – Joel Osteen

“Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.” – George Benard Shaw

“Once you learn how to be happy, you won’t tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.” – Unknown

“Let go of the people who dull your shine, poison your spirit, and bring you drama. Cancel your subscription to their issues.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” – Dalai Lama

“Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.” – Will Smith

“Not my circus. Not my monkeys.” – Polish Proverb

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” – Peace Pilgrim

“To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Watch out for the joy-stealers: gossip, criticism, complaining, faultfinding, and a negative, judgmental attitude.” -Joyce Meyer