People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them the Keys

Description

Strange as it may seem, other people are not nearly as committed to our happiness as we are. In fact, sometimes they seem like they're on a mission to make us miserable! There's always that one person. The one who hijacks your emotions and makes you crazy. The one who seems to thrive on drama. If you could just "fix" that person, everything would be better. But we can't fix other people--we can only make choices about ourselves. In this cut-to-the-chase book, communication expert Mike Bechtle shows readers that they don't have to be victims of other people's craziness. With commonsense wisdom and practical advice that can be implemented immediately, Bechtle gives readers a proven strategy to handle crazy people. More than just offering a set of techniques, Bechtle offers a new perspective that will change readers' lives as they deal with those difficult people who just won't go away. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Acknowledgments 9 Part 1 Stuck in a Crazy World 11 1. I’m OK, You’re Crazy 13 2. The Problem with Believing We’re Right 23 3. How Relationships Work 31 Part 2 Changing Someone Else 39 4. Stop Yelling at the Toaster Oven 41 5. The Impact of Influence 51 6. Can I Fire My Family? 59 Part 3 Changing Yourself 69 7. Why Can’t Everyone Be Like Me? 71 8. The Energy of Emotions 79 9. Seven Keys to Unlocking Healthy Relationships 87 10. Key #1—See Yourself Realistically 95 11. Key #2—Take Yourself Lightly 103 12. Key #3—Don’t Sweat the Wrong Stuff 111 13. Key #4—Don’t Rush Growth 120 14. Key #5—Live Through the Lens of Kindness 127 15. Key #6—Base Your Choices on Integrity, Not Convenience 134 16. Key #7—Go the Distance in Relationships 142 Part 4 Changing Your Environment 149 17. Prioritize Your Relationships 151 18. No Guarantees 159 19. When to Leave 165 Part 5 Putting It into Practice 173 20. Giving Up on Getting Straight A’s 175 21. You Can’t Steer a Parked Car 182 22. Your Relationship Survival Kit 189 23. It’s Worth the Effort 196 Notes 205 About the Author Other books by Mike Bechtle Back Ads Back Cover