“A wise man once faced a group of people who were complaining about the same issues over and over again. One day, instead of listening to the complaints, he told them a joke and everyone cracked up laughing.
Then, the man repeated the joke. A few people smiled.
Finally, the man repeated the joke a third time–but no one reacted.
The man smiled and said, “You won’t laugh at the same joke more than once. So, what are you getting from continuing to complain about the same problem?” -Source Unknown
Complaining about the same issues repeatedly benefits no one. Your complaining will not change your situation, but coming up with a new idea or adjusting behavior can create the change you need. People do not react continually to a joke if you keep telling it, so why would people react to the same complaint you’ve brought up the last couple of weeks?
Scientifically, gossip makes you feel better. Gossip physically helps you feel calmer when someone’s actions upset you. It makes you feel superior compared to others when you talk about the downfalls and mistakes of celebrities or your friends. It even helps bring you closer to others by helping you feel on the same page. The mental relief received from gossip makes it difficult to stop and complaining is a common manifestation of gossip.
Jon Gordon advises on using a “No Complaining Rule” for teams. You can only complain about a situation or issue if you have a practical idea to change it. It cuts out unnecessary complaining and fosters a collaborative team environment.
All complaining isn’t bad, but what changes can you propose for your negative situation?
Where can you avoid complaining this week?
I appreciate you.
-JP