No More Complaining at Work - A Thirty Day Challenge
Over the past few months I’ve noticed my complaining getting a little louder (in my own head and with friends). It might pop out when I’m asked to work on an extra report or maybe during a conversation with a friend. The complaining has become a nuisance and I’m going to challenge myself to thirty days of no complaining.
I’m an East Coaster living in Austin and the driving styles are much different. East Coasters will push their way into a lane. Texans will wait patiently to be let in. I know I’m generalizing, but bear with me. East coasters like to get through pink lights. Don’t get me started on New Yorkers who will go through a red light until the other cars from the other direction push forward and make them stop. Whoops, there is my first complaint.
So this East Coaster is getting used to the more laid back driving style, but lately my patience has been worn thin. A burst of “what the f**k are you doing” will pop out. I feel bad after I do it, so I send out an apology to the universe, but lately this hasn’t been helping me.
A New Level of Happiness
It’s time to challenge myself to achieve to a new level of happiness.
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”
- Buddha
If I let my complaining run rampant I’m going to fall back into my old habits of negativity. I don’t want that. My wife doesn’t want that. So it’s time to challenge myself to a new level.
Traci, a friend of mine from WorldBlu, recommended a site called A Complaint Free World. I decided to check it out. They recommend not complaining for 21 days. I wanted to go a little longer so I chose 30 days to document in detail what is happening to my reactions during uncomfortable situations.
Join Me
If anyone wants to join in with me, we can start a little Meme. Let’s get people talking about no complaining for thirty days. I’m going to start on December 1st 2008, so if you are joining in with me let me know. I’ll give your blog a link along with everyone else who is game.
I’m going to post about my progress as long as I feel it’s interesting to you.
No complaining for thirty days will be tough. A lot of my co-workers and I bond through complaining. My substitute will be compassion, understanding their pain, but not feeding into it. It will be an eye opening thirty days.
More Chellenging Articles on Work Happiness:
- Day 16 of 30 - No Complaining
- Day 8 of 30 - No Complaining
- Day 1of 30 - No Complaining
- No More Complaining at Work - A Thirty Day Challenge
November 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Hi Karl: I think it’s OK to complain if we try to do something to fix the problem. What bothers me are complaints with no subsequent action. Did you get the purple bracelet?
Marelisa’s last blog post..30 Creativity Cards: A Gift I Made For You
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 am
Im an east coaster living in austin too.
and gonna force, errr, encourage my husband to read this post
ASAP or at least before monday morning.
MizFit’s last blog post..What the (bleep) do we know?!
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hi Karl,
Sounds like a great place to get to. I think Marelisa makes a good point - that sometimes we can complain, but then we should act upon that. It’s all the complaints that go nowhere that would be so good to get rid of. I’m gonna try…
Lance’s last blog post..Don’t Worry, Be Happy
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Well, you wrote - “We are shaped by our thoughts…”
It’s hard to live without complaining but it’s a good
strategy to avoid forever, if you can. It’s not a
30 day challenge, it’s a life challenge.
Your thoughts, yor decisions
Blessings
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hi Marelisa, I agree. I jotted some notes down to the same effect, but I’m trying to keep an open mind as I do this 30 day trial.
Hi Mizfit, make sure he reads it. I definitely could have used an encouraging hand a few years ago.
Hi Lance, complaining isn’t all bad if done in moderation and with an open mind.
Hi Carlos, I might just adopt my “no complaining” forever, but I’ll see how the thirty days go first.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hi Karl,
Saw your tweet about the “no complaints” for 30 days.
Excellent idea to refresh and uplift the mind.
Thinking I will start it at the beginning of January 2009.
Peace, love and chocolate
Carole
Carole - Rejuvenation Lounge’s last blog post..Upgrade Your Level Of Self Care:
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hi Karl…
I love this idea… it’s gonna be a tough challenge, but I’M IN!
Crikey, what am I getting myself into!? (oops, I’m complaining already!)
Ross’s last blog post..So you’ve heard it all before? Part 3: Destiny
December 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
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January 18th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
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