Fifth Inning: Ignore the Hecklers

Have you ever watched seen a ball player go off on a fan because the fan went a little too far in his taunting? It’s not pretty. No matter how abusive the heckler was, the player is the one who ends up looking bad. Right or wrong, the assumption is that athletes are expected to rise above the crowd, not letting the taunts, jeers, and comments get to him. The athlete’s job is to play ball, the fan is there to have fun and root for their team. The ball player has to take the high road and focus on his game.

Surprisingly, similar situations can occur when a person makes a big change in life. People around us, sometimes closest to us, will make fun of us, scoff at our efforts, tell us we can’t do it or even resort to sabotage. Humans don’t like change and we also like people to be like us. So when a person decides to make a change for their health, the people around them may feel threatened and lash out. Don’t give in! Here are 5 reasons to take the high road:

1. You gain good will (or Karma). Putting positive energy into your life will bring positive experiences back to you.
2. You never know what could be happening behind the scenes. The person trying to force the jelly donut down your throat could be insecure in your relationship. Perhaps the person telling you that you won’t succeed has tried to do the same thing and failed. If you are successful, it makes their failure even worse. Or maybe they are just having a bad day.  Biting your tongue and showing others grace might help them when they need it most.
3. You can’t really ‘win.’ With family and friends you never win, even if you ‘win.’ Don’t get into a spitting contest when squashing them like a bug will just make you look and feel bad.
4. You won’t waste time or energy on someone who isn’t worthy. Some people are just grumpy, negative and adversarial. Fighting back only fuels the fire. Direct your energy where it can be put to the best use.
5. Your mom was right. Remember when she told you that people talking behind your back were just jealous? A lot of the time, that’s true. The fact that people are aiming their guns your way is a sign that you’re succeeding, and the more you succeed, the more often people will attack your progress.

Yes, it is hard to ignore hecklers. But here are a few suggestions to block out the jeers and taunts:

• Imagine them as little children. If a two-year-old was throwing a tantrum, you’d treat them with more compassion and less anger. Imagine them that way.
• Breathe. When you think you’re being attacked, it’s easy to fall into that ‘fight or flight’ response. Breathing deeply helps clear the adrenaline from your body.
• Thank them. I know it sounds crazy but try it at least once. For example, your mother-in-law tells you that your diet plan won’t work. Tell her, ‘Thank you. It is so comforting that you are concerned.” Then smile and say nothing more. Most people don't know what to say after that.  I have found that ‘thank you’ often works miracles.

Your time and energy is precious; invest it where you will get the best things in return.

Keep Swinging!