How To Deal With Jerks©

1. Keep things in perspective. Remember that sometimes you are a jerk too!

2. You can’t change the way other people are; you can only change the way you respond to them. So why drive yourself crazy trying to fix a jerk that doesn’t want to be fixed or doesn’t know they need to be fixed? You aren’t going to be able to any way so save yourself the frustration!

3. Know that it’s rarely personal. Jerks don’t single you out to be a jerk to, it’s just who they are and has little to do with anyone else.

4. Forgive them. Most of them have had years of training at being a jerk and it’s hard for them to be anything else.

5. Be more understanding. Good people can have bad days.

6. Don’t give a jerk the power to ruin your day – they’re jerks, remember? Don’t reduce yourself to their level.

7. Be nice to them. Jerks hate that! Seriously, if you want to drive a jerk totally crazy, try being nice. Bonus: you might just shock them into better behavior.

8. Know that most people aren’t really jerks; they just act in jerky ways. Deep down, I think most people are good folks but work really hard covering it up.

9. If you have had it with them and are unwilling to put up their jerky ways, avoid the jerk as best you can. Divorce them, stop seeing them, stop calling them or going out with them. I’m amazed at people who willingly hang around jerks not realizing that it’s a choice.

10. If you are going to attack, attack the behavior, not the person.

This excerpt is from my New York Times bestseller, People Are Idiots And I Can Prove It. In paperback, it’s called The Idiot Factor. To order your hardback, autographed copy go to www.larrywinget.com.