I just finished a book by Jon Gordon called The No Complaining Rule. This simple concept can be a tough application when we let our natural fight or flight instincts overrule the rational and compassionate core. Jon suggests that there are other things we could CHOOSE to do rather than complain including:
1. Practice Gratitude
2. Praise Others
3. Focus on Success
4. Let Go
5. Pray and Meditate
“No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.” Jeffrey R. Holland
Here you go folks – my interview with Jon. This was a fun one!
http://www.liveonpurposeradio.com/radio/2008/11/24/the-no-complaining-rule/
The other day I was on a conference call with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul author). He said something very interesting about complaining.
He said, “Complaining requires comparison. If we think we have the best, we will not complain of it. We will only complain if we have an image of something better than we have. Because of that, complaining is really our acknowledging that there is something better out there that we are not willing to work for or put ourselves on the line for.” (PARAPHRASE)
Dr. Paul, I couldn’t agree more. This book does a nice job of showing how gratitude benefits us and how the opposite hurts. I liked that he teaches the priciples in story format; it makes them easy to absorb. He also wrote a book called The Energy Bus, which is a similarly nice read. I also like your tie-in with the quote at the end. -Michael
I love that – ‘the rational and compassionate core.’ It’s so good to remember what is truly at our core. We need to get past the emotional gunk build-up and stay true to our core!