Stop complaining!

We all complain from time to time but chronic complaining could hurt your reputation and professional relationships. How do you know if your complaining is getting out of hand? Here are some signs;


‘BUT’ IS COMMON IN YOUR VOCABULARY: You are a ‘resister’ and your first instinct in any situation is to find a reason to object. No matter how good things are, you still see only the bad or toss the issue round in your mind till you find your ‘but’.


YOUR LANGUAGE IS NEGATIVE: Negative phrases like won’t, can’t shouldn’t are not uncommon with you. You think ‘life isn’t fair’ and you find examples to back up this view. You think everyone’s out to get you. You are regularly argumentative and persistently voice out your disagreements.


YOU EXAGGERATE DIFFICULTIES: You make everything seem worse than it is, you focus on spotting flaws and mistakes. You’re overly sensitive and get easily offended. You are in your element when there’s controversy or drama.


So what can you do to stop complaining?


UNDERSTAND WHY YOU COMPLAIN: And try to be as specific as possible as regards what you are unhappy about so that you can address it.


KNOW WHAT IT’S COSTING YOU: Complaining is not a harmless habit, it wastes your time, drains your energy and fouls your mood. Complaining could leave you stressed and even sometimes isolated because people do not like to be around someone who complains all the time.


DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT: Whatever you tend to complain about, decide that you will do something about it. If it’s a situation you can’t do anything about then let it go or learn to live with it. That will take a lot of stress off you. Do something specific; you can start small; for example decide not to complain for one full hour, then one full day, then another. Complaining is a choice, one that you can stop.


KEEP COMPANY WITH THE CHEERFUL: If you’re always griping enlist the help of someone cheerful to remind you there are things to be grateful for. Reflect on what makes you happy and focus on that.


Now take action: What one thing will you stop complaining about?