Don't Confuse Complaining With Action

Don't Confuse Complaining With Action

I believe it is human nature to complain. People complain about everything from traffic to the weather. A little complaining can actually be a good thing. It helps to get our frustrations out and, if we complain to the right person, it can make a difference. However, too much complaining is just that, too much. A young woman was complaining about a situation in her life. After listening to her for a while, I asked, "When are you going to do something about it?"

She answered, "I am. I'm complaining."

This young woman was confused. She actually thought complaining was being proactive. Complaining isn't going to change anything. It is a waste of time to complain to someone who cannot help you. If you have to complain, take your complaints to someone who can, and will, do something about it.

Complaining is a habit. People who constantly complain have done so over and over to the point that they have made it a way of life. Breaking the habit of complaining can be difficult because we can actually feel like we are doing something when we are complaining. After all, we are talking about it and getting others involved in our complaints. The way to stop the complaining habit is to take action. Actually do something about your complaints.

Coaching

If someone in your life is a constant complainer, begin weaning yourself away from him or her. Leave the room when they start to complain. You could also try changing the subject, or ask the best question of all for a complainer, "What are you going to do about it?" Chances are the answer is nothing, but at least you will get them thinking.

If you are the constant complainer, work on breaking the habit. When you notice the urge to complain, ask yourself, what are you going to do about it. It is okay if the answer is nothing. If the answer is nothing, then stop complaining. This will also give you a chance to think about what you can do about the situation and take real action. Taking action is the killer of complaints.

Coaching Question

Are you ready to give up complaining for action?

Coaching Challenge

This week pay attention to how much you complain. You might be surprised. When you feel the need to complain ask yourself what are you going to do about it. You don't have to take action on every complaint you have, but, if you are not going to take action stop complaining and save your energy for those irritations you will take action on.

Daily Success Formula

Complaining + No action = Waste of time

Quotes

"Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing the future." Antoine Rivarol

"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." Anthony J. D'Angelo

"I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain." Jane Wagner