Criticize lightly, praise extensively.
When someone says that someone else “made a big deal” out of something, remember that they mean relatively. People measure your reactions against your median reaction.
Make it a habit to react to good things with more enthusiasm than you do bad things. When you must criticize, be direct and to the point. When you praise – and praise often! – do so with great fanfare. This applies even – especially! – to criticisms or praise aimed at yourself.
This not only makes your criticisms taken more seriously (because no one will think you’re “overreacting” if it’s less reaction than normal for you), but it also keeps your life and your relationships centered around the good, not the bad.
That’s not just a big deal – it’s a great deal.
The Opportunity Machine 