My tooth hurts. My sales stink. It’s too cold. Now it’s too hot. Oh, quiet down!

So your tooth hurts, but does it hurt enough to make you go to the dentist to get it fixed? Or are you willing to make due? If not, then don’t complain.

And your sales stink? Well what have you done today to change that? Nothing, I hear? Then are you willing to be satisfied with low sales? If not, then don’t complain.

Too cold? Then why are you wearing a pair of airy shorts and a tank top? Bundle up! Are you willing to dress the part? Or are you willing to make due? If not, then don’t complain.

Oh, so now it’s too hot? Well, what have you done to make it better? If nothing, then don’t complain!

Make Due or Take Action

Do you see the common thread? If you aren’t willing to make due or take action then you don’t have the right to groan about how life is terrible.

Period.

Either accept what is given to you and make the best of it or take action to change it for the better. Complaining doesn’t get you anywhere closer to a positive outcome, and it doesn’t even “feel good” to complain!

Complaints from the Boss, Co-workers or Others

Don’t you just hate it when a manager or teacher tells you to do that pesky project over and over (and over…) again? They may whine again and again telling you that “it’s terrible” or that it’s “not what they’re looking for.”

But wait…

If it’s “not what they’re looking for” then what is it that they’re looking for? Did they ever stop complaining, even for a second, to tell you what it is that they wanted in the first place?

What’s the use in telling someone that the work attempted is a piece of junk but not telling them how to improve it? That’s why complaining should be avoided at all costs. It’s counter productive and doesn’t provide the useful information that is needed to stir change.

Complaining to the Masses

When you yammer on too much about your troubles, you portray that vibe of “Mr. or Mrs. Unapproachable”. You’re that person people want to avoid. They don’t want to come to you because you’re just going to put an overly negative spin on something that could potentially be so positive.

People don’t like working with complainers. It’s draining and distressing. Instead of reinforcing the negative, learn to become more positive and proactive. You’ll not only become more productive, but you’ll feel better too! It’s like a breath of fresh air!

Besides, it’s easier to fix the problem if we’re able to focus on possible solutions rather than the pain or troubles it causes.

Just remember:

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”

–Duke Ellington

Complaints only show your unhappiness and unwillingness to improve. So if you’re having a tough time, don’t moan or nag, use it as an opportunity to prove to yourself (and to the world) how talented you are.

Self-Complainers: Think Progressively and Proactively

Worse yet, people actually complain about themselves:

• “I can’t do it.”
• “It’s too hard.”
  
• “My job stinks.”

That gets you nowhere! Just as it’s a downer to constantly hear the same squawking repeatedly from others, you’ll wear out your self-esteem with your own negative attitude.

Try being internally positive and focus on what you can do to remedy the situation. Put a positive spin on the situation. Better yet, seek help from those around you if you can’t quite see the solution or positive spin.

If you can’t do something, find out why. Don’t just throw your arms up in the air and concede!

If it’s too hard, acquire the appropriate skills and knowledge you need to complete the task (or delegate the task to someone who has the appropriate knowledge).

Lastly, if you complain to yourself about how your job is terrible, find out how you can improve it or begin seeking new opportunities.

I know it’s tough not to complain about certain things, but it’s not impossible (though some days it might feel like it is!). Strive not to be so outward or public about your complaints. Rather, use the energy to become more resourceful in your solutions.

Why should you complain when you can be thinking progressively and proactively instead?

Exactly.