“Gossip, defined as discussing something negative with anyone who can’t help solve the problem, is rampant in American business today. Often seen as harmless, gripe session lunches and water cooler whining are accepted forms of blowing off steam.”

I’ve worked in an office environment for over ten years, and I have personally seen the damaging effects of gossip. Negativity breeds negativity, which breeds more negativity. It’s a vicious cycle, a bad habit that’s very hard to break.

But I’m gonna try. I will be the first to admit I am a gossip. I do it when I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I rationalize it in my head, I put a positive spin on it, but it’s all crap. That’s gonna end right here and now. Actually, I made a commitment that last Tuesday would be Day 1 of my personal No Gossip Policy. So far I have completed 4 days of No Gossip. It was hard at times and I really had to bite my lip a lot, but I made it through. Just as my negative attitude and venting can poison the air in the office, I believe my positive attitude will do just the opposite.

It can’t hurt, right?