Are you a complainer? Perhaps under normal circumstances you aren’t but lately, your patience might be getting tested with the recent events. It can be easy to get sucked into the complaining vortex. COVID won’t leave us alone. The economy continues to be soft. Furloughs and layoffs are on many people’s minds. Truth is, complaining doesn’t really do any good. We might feel better for a split second and then we just feel worse.
Jon Gordon has a great book called The No Complaining Rule.
Day 1: Monitor your Thoughts and Words
Spend today monitoring your thoughts and words. You will be amazed at the thoughts that pop into your head and come out of your mouth. The key is to become more conscious of what you think and say.
Day 2: Make a Gratitude List
When you wake up in the morning, write a list of the things you are thankful for. When you find yourself wanting to complain, focus on what you are grateful for instead.
Day 3: Take a Thank-You Walk
When you wake up in the morning, take a thank you walk. While you are walking, think of all the things you are grateful for. Try to remember this state of gratitude and carry it with you throughout the day.
Day 4: Focus on the Good Stuff
Today, focus on everything that is right, rather than wrong. Focus on what is right with your life, rather than wrong. Focus on what others are doing right, rather than wrong. Praise instead of criticize. Focus on what you get to do versus what you have to do.
Day 5: Start a Success Journal
Today, write down all the great interactions and accomplishments you have had today. Do this throughout the day and before you go to bed.
Day 6: Let Go
Make a list of the things you would like to complain about. Go through this list and identify the things that are within your control that you have the power to change and identify those things that are beyond your control. Identify possible solutions and a possible action plan to the things that are within your control. Write the word surrender next to the items that are beyond your control.
Day 7: Breathe
Spend 10 minutes in silence. Focus on your breathing while praying or mediating and transform stress into positive energy. Throughout the day, anytime you find yourself feeling stressed or wanting to complain, stop for 10 seconds and breathe. Count your breaths and your blessings.
Action Time: Create your own No Complaining Action Plan
In the Resources page on my website, I have included Jon’s “Are you a Complainer? Assessment. Spend 5 minutes taking the quiz, it will be eye opening and will likely help you confront some patterns of behavior.
I am rooting for you,
Rachel
