Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Can You Go 21 Days Without Complaining?

So a study was even done about complaining and the stresses placed on us...blah blah blah. I guess people like to complain.
So a challenge was started to help people curb their complaining...21 days complaint-free. It started in a ministry in Missouri. Since we are what we think about, the minister tried out this challenge on the congregation, and the movement grew.

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

How can you go 21 days without complaining? Here are some tips...
1. Recognize that it's a process. It may take some time, but realize that it's a journey, that there will be slip ups and keep going.
2. Think constructive and informative. Stick to the facts and be neutral. Think "Am I damaging the relationship?"
3. Write down what's bothering you. This helps you view the situation more objectively plus it can be very therapeutic (more so than yapping about it to a friend for 2 hours).
4. Consider what can be done to change the situation. Step back and brainstorm. Write down some ideas and decide what to do first.
5. Channel the complaining into a more productive response. Take active-recommend a new policy, ask for help. Do something positive.
6. Find a bright side. Find the positive in the negative scenario. Example: given a time-consuming project, consider the knowledge and experience you'll gain

Maya Angelou - "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude; Don't complain"

So can you go 21 days?

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