Complaining is Wrecking Your Life
And mine, if I’m stuck listening to you. I can’t stand to listen to someone complain! I know what you’re thinking, isn’t he complaining about complainers? Great question. Keep reading and I’ll show you how and why you should stop complaining yourself!
Dictionary.com defines a complaint as an expression of discontent, pain or lament. I ran across the complaint free world idea on the blog of Tim Ferris – author of “The 4-Hour Work Week” and a couple more besting selling “4-Hour” books. Tim defines complaining as “describing an event or person negatively without indicating the next steps to fix the problem.” Tim also adds the use of “4-letter” words as an indicator of a complaint.
So, complaining is:
“Stating anything negative, including curse words, without stating what steps you will take to fix the problem.”
My opening statement about complainers would qualify as a complaint if I did not give you the following steps on how to deal with the problem!
First, why should you stop complaining?
- Complaining is learned helplessness. Learned helplessness was first discovered by some very demented researcher who shocked dogs who were tied to a leash and could not escape the shocks. Understandably, the dogs became quite depressed.Thankfully, you are not a dog and probably not tied to a pole getting shocked. You have this amazing thing called free will. Next time you are in a situation that you find is negative, remove yourself from the situation or change it. Those are your only two options, otherwise you are that dog tied to a pole being shocked, but you are choosing to hold onto the pole! Just stop it. Let go of the pole for goodness sake.
- Complainers are miserable and absolutely no fun to be around. Want to have friends? Stop complaining.
- Complainers are counting their problems rather than their blessings. If you believe in God, you are complaining to Him. I don’t want to have that reputation to deal with once my days on this earth are over. If you are not a believer, just understand that complainers are miserable. Count your blessings and have some fun!
Now, how do you stop complaining? Turns out a guy named Will Bowen started this movement called “A Complaint Free World.” It is all about eliminating complaining from your life and the lives of those around you. Here are the steps:
- Order you one of these fancy purple bracelets from www.acomplaintfreeworld.org. They are $10 for a pack of 10. A worthy investment. If you are in my neighborhood (Valdosta, GA), give me a call and I’ll spot you a few (or drop a comment below and I’ll put one in the mail for you).
- Every time you complain (as defined above) switch the band to your other wrist. It’s proven that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Make it 21 days and you will have come a long way towards eliminating complaining from your life.
- Share your little bracelet with others. I bought 100 of the things to just stop the complaining that was coming to my door at work. I hung them on my door with the instructions. Remarkably, I still have a lot of the 100 left. People love to complain! I’ve given these things to waitresses and practically anyone who asks about the bracelet. Think of yourself as a complaint free Johnny Appleseed. Sowing no complaints wherever you go!
Control your words and you control your thoughts. Speak misery and you get more of it. Speak joy and life and you’ll get more of that.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8
Ready to take the 21 day challenge? Drop a comment below and let us know how you are doing!
Thank you for being a part of our values driven community!
Photo courtesy of http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org
Filed Under: Fun and Inspiration
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