Are there people that really irritate you and "push your buttons"? Do they seem to bother you more than they bother others? If so, it may be that these troublesome people are seen as such by you because you see in them, what you don't like about yourself, and have not consciously recognized. This is called "mirroring".

It is easy to understand what mirroring is but it is difficult to remember to apply it. If you remember to consider and interpret the valuable information that can be gained, you can find an opportunity to better understand yourself and the reason that the other person irritates you. Once you address the problem, which has been mirrored, you often find that the mirroring person is no longer offensive to you.

Therefore, when you recognize negative characteristics in others, you should consider the possibility that you also possess the same negative characteristics. You may find it reassuring to know that the degree or magnitude of the offensive behaviour is not necessarily mirrored. That is, often the negative characteristics of the other person are exaggerated compared to those of the person that recognized the characteristics.

Examples of behaviour that you may find offensive in others (and may also be harbouring within you) are arrogant, demanding, contrary, confrontational, aggressive, weak, interrupting…behaviour.

Recognizing your own character deficiencies gives you an opportunity to improve yourself. However, every character flaw that you identify in others is not necessarily a character flaw of your own. The important part about thinking in terms of mirroring is to become more attentive to what you don't like in others, and consider if there is a possibility that you may share that particular flaw or deficiency or in positive terms – if it is an area for personal improvement.

Once one addresses the problem, which has been mirrored, they often find that the mirroring person is no longer offensive to them.