Don't Sip the Haterade: How to Be More Positive

Are you a negative person?

Stop Hating! - Do you ever get tired of being so negative all the time? If you answered yes, just think how the people around you must feel. Make a commitment to enter 2016 Patti Labelle-style with a new attitude! Here's how. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: 68/George Doyle/Ocean/Corbis)

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Stop Hating! - Do you ever get tired of being so negative all the time? If you answered yes, just think how the people around you must feel. Make a commitment to enter 2016 Patti Labelle-style with a new attitude! Here's how. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: 68/George Doyle/Ocean/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: 68/George Doyle/Ocean/Corbis

Ask Yourself Why - There has to be a reason why you always have something to say or why you feel the need to push others away from you. You might be hating so much because you are jealous and insecure because you lack what others have. Or maybe you grew up in a home where there was a lot of negativity. Get to the root of who you are if you want to make changes for the better. That's first. (Photo: Steve Prezant/Corbis)

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Ask Yourself Why - There has to be a reason why you always have something to say or why you feel the need to push others away from you. You might be hating so much because you are jealous and insecure because you lack what others have. Or maybe you grew up in a home where there was a lot of negativity. Get to the root of who you are if you want to make changes for the better. That's first. (Photo: Steve Prezant/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Steve Prezant/Corbis

Be Flexible - Whether your needs evolve beyond your rules or your relationship changes, you’ll find that you might need to rejigger the way you relate. Just be open and honest and you’ll have a fantastic year together.  (Photo: Granger Wootz/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Start Seeing the Beauty in People - Most times a hater constantly feels the need to find someone’s flaws and bring them to the attention of others. This is about your insecurity, not their imperfections. Try seeing the beauty and positivity in people more. Stop tearing them down and instead try building them up. (Photo: Granger Wootz/Blend Images/Corbis)

Stop Looking to Discredit People - One aspect of being a hater is discrediting others’ success and discrediting what people are saying. The next time you’re around people, listen to what you are saying. Are you quick to question someone’s story or hone in on the negative things they are saying? It’s OK to call someone on BS, but are you taking it too far? (Photo: Zave Smith/Image Source/Corbis)

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Stop Looking to Discredit People - One aspect of being a hater is discrediting others’ success and discrediting what people are saying. The next time you’re around people, listen to what you are saying. Are you quick to question someone’s story or hone in on the negative things they are saying? It’s OK to call someone on BS, but are you taking it too far? (Photo: Zave Smith/Image Source/Corbis)

Do Ask Your Friends What They Want to Do  - Yes, you may be appointed the one in charge, but that doesn't mean it’s all about you. Ask your girls for ideas of what they want to do or if they know of a cool, new place or venue they want to try out. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Start Listening to Others - Whether you‘re collaborating on a project at work or just figuring out where to go for dinner, when others offer up suggestions, are you quick to brush off what they are saying? You don’t always know best. Be open to what others have to bring to the table. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Stop Gossiping So Much - Stop hanging around haters or don’t be that person who spends their time gossiping about other people. Instead of throwing shade all day, every day, focus your energy on you and what you need to accomplish in life. (Photo: George Shelley/Corbis)

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Stop Gossiping So Much - Stop hanging around haters or don’t be that person who spends their time gossiping about other people. Instead of throwing shade all day, every day, focus your energy on you and what you need to accomplish in life. (Photo: George Shelley/Corbis)

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Start Letting People Just Live - Remember, your hair isn’t always on point, neither are your fashions or your choices in men. So the next time you fix your mouth to say something about someone else, keep in mind that nobody’s perfect. It’s okay to just let people live. They are not hurting you. (Photo: Sam Edwards/GettyImages)

Share Your Skills - This form of volunteering is about you using your skills to help others. Are you artistic? Teach an art class at your local community center. A pro at editing resumes? Offer to help a teen write their own. Great with words? Offer to help write a local nonprofit's newsletter. The possibilities are endless. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Corbis)

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Stop Living Your Life Through Other People - Perhaps you are jealous when you see other people doing things you want to do. Stop watching other people and begin living your life to the fullest. Do what makes you happy! (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Corbis)

Start Appreciating the Things Around You - Filling your life with what makes you feel content is really important if you want to stop hating on other people. Whether it’s your family, your favorite band, your pet or a good meal or movie, try surrounding yourself with happiness. That can create positive thinking. (Photo: LWA/Getty Images)

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Start Appreciating the Things Around You - Filling your life with what makes you feel content is really important if you want to stop hating on other people. Whether it’s your family, your favorite band, your pet or a good meal or movie, try surrounding yourself with happiness. That can create positive thinking. (Photo: LWA/Getty Images)

It’s OK Not to Like Stuff - We do live in a hating culture, but that doesn’t mean that having strong opinions or having legitimate criticisms always means you are a hater. Remember: It’s OK to not like someone or things. Just make sure your life is filled with more of what you like and less of what you hate. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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It’s OK Not to Like Stuff - We do live in a hating culture, but that doesn’t mean that having strong opinions or having legitimate criticisms always means you are a hater. Remember: It’s OK to not like someone or things. Just make sure your life is filled with more of what you like and less of what you hate. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)