What is a “Hater”?
- A person who has an intense dislike for another person or thing (often used in combination). Example: I’m a big hater of Duke University’s basketball team. Are you a cat-hater?
- A person who thrives on showing hate toward, criticizing, or belittling other people or things, usually unfairly. Example: The guy is just a hater looking for a fight.
- According to the urban dictionary, a hater is “a person who simply cannot be happy for another person’s success, so rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.”
How Do “Haters” Distract You at Work?
Haters love to put you down. They enjoy pointing out your flaws both personally and in your work. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism but “haters” normally give destructive criticism.
Here are some examples of things people can hate on:
- How you dress
- The car you drive
- How much your boss likes you over them
- How successful you are in your career
- The smoked mac & cheese you made for the company pot-luck
- Your favorite sports teams
We could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Now I only mentioned a few things about work, but sometimes haters distract you at work by talking about things that have nothing to do with work. Maybe they hate on the movie you just saw over the weekend that you think is the best movie ever. They made fun of your favorite movie and now they put you in a bad mood. Now since you are in a bad mood, you are not doing your best at your job. They are just trying to bring you down.
What is the Best Way to Block out the “Haters”?
First, don’t let them change who you are. Smile and don’t let it bother you. When your haters see that what they are doing is not affecting you, then they will stop and probably move on to someone else. Continue to ignore them as this will again show them that they are not affecting you.
Everybody Love Everybody
These are truly words I live by. I even have it plastered on my walls at home. I also say this to my kids all the time. I tell them not to hate and to love everybody. Especially when they are fighting, I will say “EVERYBOBY LOVE EVERYBODY!” Now I may have stolen this line from the great Will Ferrell from the movie Semi Pro, but I still feel it is a great philosophy to latch onto.
Don’t Let the “Haters” Bring You Down
Never let them bring you down. Also, do not allow them to affect your work and what you feel you do best.
- Stay focused and keep your head high at all times
- Ask for clarification. Maybe they are just trying to give constructive criticism?
- Stay positive and don’t let comments bring you down
- Block out the haters
So now you have the power to block out the “haters” and “shine bright like a diamond” (I stole that from Rihanna). You really can shine bright if you block out the haters and do what you do best. Use any criticism as fuel and it can push you to great heights. But please, don’t be a “hater!”!
I will close with a quote that pretty much summarizes what I have been trying to say:
“Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier.” – David J Pollay
Kevin Browne
Kevin is from Omaha, NE. He attended college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He has been with AurStaff since January of 1999 and currently is a Senior Account Manager. Kevin is a huge North Carolina Tar Heels fan as well.
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