October 27, 2020

We all have someone in our life that just gets under our skin. Whether it be due to personality differences or a deliberate effort, it feel like they know just what to say to make you upset, irritated or defensive. This can be a family member, friend, coworker or aquaintence. As you probably know, the act of provoking this reaction is known as “pushing someone’s buttons”. Dealing with people who push your buttons can feel like a lose-lose situation; if you respond in the way this person expects – you lose. On the flip side, you also feel like you lose when you don’t put this person in their place. It’s quite annoying, isn’t it. When people push your buttons, what can be done? Let’s talk about what you should think the next time this occurs as well as how to respond in the best manner.