Recapturing someone's focus when they are overwhelmed by negativity and complaints requires empathy, patience, and strategic communication. Here are some effective strategies to help redirect their attention:

### 1. **Acknowledge Their Feelings:**
- **Empathy and Validation:** Start by acknowledging their feelings. Let them know you understand their frustration and that their feelings are valid. For example, "I can see that you're really upset about this situation, and it's understandable."

### 2. **Set Boundaries and Stay Focused:**
- **Gentle Redirection:** Politely steer the conversation back to the topic at hand. Use phrases like, "I understand that this is a difficult time for you. To help you better, can we focus on [specific issue] for a moment?"
- **Clarify Purpose:** Remind them of the purpose of the conversation. For instance, "I want to make sure we address your concerns effectively, so I need to ask a few questions to understand the situation better."

### 3. **Use Active Listening Techniques:**
- **Reflective Listening:** Repeat back what they’ve said to show you’re listening and to clarify their concerns. For example, "It sounds like you’re really frustrated with [issue]. Let’s see how we can address that."
- **Paraphrasing:** Summarize their complaints succinctly and ask for confirmation. "So, if I understand correctly, you’re upset because of [issue]. Is that right?"

### 4. **Ask Specific, Open-Ended Questions:**
- **Focused Questions:** Ask questions that are specific and require more than a yes or no answer. This helps guide them towards providing the information you need. For example, "Can you tell me more about what happened when [specific event]?"
- **Sequential Questions:** Break down your questions into smaller, more manageable parts. "First, let’s talk about [specific aspect]. Then we can move on to [next aspect]."

### 5. **Offer Solutions and Positive Reinforcement:**
- **Solution-Oriented Approach:** Shift the focus from the problem to potential solutions. "What do you think could help improve this situation?"
- **Positive Reinforcement:** Reinforce any positive or constructive comments they make. "That's a great point. Let's explore that further."

### 6. **Create a Calm Environment:**
- **Stay Calm:** Maintain a calm and composed demeanor to help de-escalate their negativity.
- **Breaks if Needed:** If the conversation becomes too heated or unproductive, suggest taking a short break and revisiting the discussion later. "Let's take a quick break and come back to this in a few minutes."

### 7. **Use Visual Aids and Written Notes:**
- **Visual Aids:** Sometimes, using diagrams, charts, or written notes can help refocus the conversation and make it easier to follow.
- **Written Summary:** Provide a written summary of key points discussed and next steps to keep the conversation on track.

### 8. **Empower and Encourage:**
- **Empowerment:** Encourage them to take an active role in finding solutions. "What steps do you think we can take together to resolve this?"
- **Encouragement:** Offer words of encouragement and support. "I believe we can work through this together. Let’s focus on how we can make things better."

### Example Scenario:

**Person:** "Everything is going wrong. Nothing is working, and I just can't deal with this anymore!"

**You:** "I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It sounds incredibly frustrating. I want to help you as best as I can. Can we start by looking at what specifically isn’t working for you right now?"

**Person:** "It’s just everything! I’m overwhelmed."

**You:** "I understand it feels like a lot. Let’s take it one step at a time. Can you tell me about one particular issue that’s bothering you the most? Once we tackle that, we can move on to the next."

By acknowledging their feelings, setting boundaries, and using strategic questions and active listening, you can help them refocus and work towards a constructive conversation.