Let's face it. If you work with a crowd of people, there will be those whom you don't like and others who don't like you. What can you do to make these relationships easier to manage?
Make a list of the things you don't like. This will make it easier for you to deal with them specifically and one at a time. You will feel less overwhelmed by your workplace disagreements.
Address your complaints in writing. This will help you to avoid loosing your temper or unnecessarily hurting someone else's feelings.
If you have been criticized, ask yourself if the criticism has merit. If you recognize that what has been said is true, you have an opportunity to make helpful changes. Stop and think about that so that you can avoid "mood poisoning." Mood poisoning often comes from something you hate. Remember Hal Elrod's stating that "The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life."
Consider possible reasons for your co-worker's attitude or cranky mood. Have there been significant financial problems? Has there been a death in the family? Is your co-worker involved in relationship problems or a divorce?
Remember when you were a school kid and your teacher talked to you about the importance of getting along with everybody. The same is true at work. You don't have to like everyone. You don't have to befriend everyone. You just have to be appropriate and polite.
Always recognize that your problems are your own. You do not have to babble or chitchat about your difficulties with everyone else in the work place. Gossip will most certainly make your situation more awkward. If you feel unable to work things out on your own, contact your human resources department for assistance.
You can handle your issues at work responsibly. I can't remember who gave me the following advice (It was probably Oprah...) but it works for me:
. Be dependable.
. Hold yourself accountable.
. Do the right thing.
. Apologize when you make a mistake.
. Do your best work.
. Complete what you set out to do.
And don't waste time hating people who hate you. Be too busy liking people who like you. Additionally, rely on your good old advice-giving standby, Confucius, who had reminded us that, "If they spit at you behind your back, it means that you are ahead of them."
If you are not into Confucius, I'd be pleased to be a stand-in. Call anytime.
Have a nice day and then make it even better.