“Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining – it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn’t solve any problems.” –Zig Ziglar

Everyone complains, gossips and talks shit from time to time. It’s how we feel connected with one another. But what good does complaining do? It changes nothing about the situation. Does it make you feel good to complain? Maybe it feels good to get those feelings off your chest but that’s a whole other area of discussion. 

Complaining makes others around you feel the need to complain. It makes stupid situations seem important. “I can’t believe Bobby gets all the sales leads and I don’t. He doesn’t deserve that.” Ok. Maybe Bobby doesn’t deserve the sales leads but what changes by you complaining about it? Nothing.

Complaints will only impact the people around you only in a negative way. They can destroy the core of an organization by first manifesting in one person and spreading to others. You need to stop complaining before anything catastrophic happens. First figure out why you’re complaining and address the issue. Maybe you complain because that’s how you were raised or you want to fit in with others. It could be a variety of things. Either way, understand why you’re complaining. 

Ok, now I understand complaining only impacts people negatively. How do I change? On the Tim Ferriss podcast, Tim introduces no complaining for 21 days by Will Bowen. You wear a purple bracelet (rubber band or frankly anything) on your left wrist and try to avoid complaining for 21 days straight. Every time you complain you move the bracelet to your right wrist and start the 21 days all over again. This will help you become more aware of how often you’re complaining. It will help you change. Most importantly it will help you reduce the number of complaints you have per day. Being more aware will help you turn a complaint into a positive outlook on the situation. Realize when you’re complaining, why you’re complaining and focus on avoiding complaining. This will help you stay more positive and affect the people around you in a positive way.

Help spread the positive feeling.