How To Pet The Donkey and Deal With Difficult People

Donkeys = Difficult people who are stubborn, obnoxious, rude, stupid, or just an ass

Most likely, you know someone who sometimes or always fits that description. Or, you’ve had to deal with someone in a store, at work or somewhere else, and they are just so difficult and stubborn that you simply can’t stand them. You know who I’m talking about. These are the people that make life so difficult. These are the ones that resist you all the time. They put up barriers so you can’t do what you want to do. They are so stubborn that you just want to slap them. So, how do you deal with difficult people?

To deal with a stubborn person, learn how to pet him. Every person can be stroked in the right way and the wrong way. Figure out the right way and you will be able to ride that donkey forever.

A donkey’s fur, like many animals, runs one way. If you pet it the other way, no matter how much you stroke it, the fur won’t lie down flat and smooth. Instead, it will resist and resist until ultimately you get so angry that you give up. A difficult person reacts in the same manner. You cannot keep approaching difficult people in the same way. Learn how to stroke them in the right way and you just might get what you want.

Of course this is much easier said than done. When you are dealing with an obnoxious, stubborn person, they’ve probably made you so mad that you don’t want to step back and take a different approach. Plus, you probably think that THEY have to do something differently because they are the donkeys, not you. Unfortunately, it is rare that a donkey will change his approach. But, if you are willing to adjust, then maybe you will come out on top.

Don’t forget that people are not all the same. People think differently, act differently and behave differently. This is why it’s important to figure out how to manage different people, especially the ones that are difficult. These donkeys can’t be managed the same way as everyone else. BUT, there is always a way. Every person has their triggers. Every person will respond to something. So, how do you do it? Below are some tips to help you learn how to pet the donkeys in your life.

5 Ways to Deal With Difficult People and Pet the Donkeys:
HISTORY: Learn as much as you can about them. Learn about their backgrounds, their personal lives, their histories. This will help you understand where they are coming from, why they say and do things in a certain way, and how you can approach them and convince them to see your perspective.

TIMING: Choose the right timing. Don’t approach them when they are mad or frustrated. Figure out when they are happy and then talk to them when they are in a good mood. If you sense they are in a bad mood, back off and approach them later.

BE NICE: Treat them nicely. This may come as a surprise, but treating the donkey or anyone nicely goes a long way to making them more open and amenable towards you.

BE THEIR FRIEND: Try to make them your friend. Just like your own friends who will do stupid things for you if you ask, a donkey who is your friend will be much more willing to listen to you than one who is your enemy.

WIN-WIN SITUATION: Try to make it a win-win for both of you so you have the same goals. When you and the donkey are working on the same side, the donkey will be much more amenable to you.

These are just a few ways that will help you pet your donkey. In my next article, I share a few tricks on working with difficult people and how to pet these donkeys you meet at work. Before then, tell me how you pet your donkeys! What tricks do you use to pet your donkeys?