Are you guilty of a little negativity from time to time?
Do you relish in gossip or take comfort in complaining?
They say our thoughts create our own reality, that our mind is more powerful than we could ever imagine. If this is the case, negative thoughts and complaining won’t get us far in life. Complaining about the actions of others, and the misfortune in our own life is futile. Why not do something more productive with your time instead of complaining?
If you are in the habit of complaining and thinking negatively, it may be necessary to break the habit. The easiest way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a new positive habit. Here are a few suggestions of productive positive habits to replace your habit of complaining.
1. Practice gratitude.
The act of giving thanks has become a well respected means for creating a happier life. Scientists have found that the habit of gratitude can reduce the symptoms of depression, increase well being and make for an all around happier person. So start by creating a gratitude list: write down all the things you are grateful for and add to it daily. You will find that it is difficult to feel sad or sorry for yourself when you are feeling grateful.
2. Praise others.
Time to bring out the compliments. Just like the act of gratitude, making someone else happy by giving them praise and recognition will make you happier. Why not make someone else feel good and spread the joy around? Acknowledge all good deeds and recognize when someone has done a good job both in work and at home. Why not thank your husband or wife for the meal they prepared or for the good job they did cleaning the kitchen. We all love praise and recognition for our efforts.
3. Focus on success.
The self fulfilling prophecy claims that our lives will turn out just as we imagine. If we believe we will be successful, we will be. If we think poverty is our future, it probably will be. This is the reason people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to remain part of a disadvantaged group. They are primed to stay in the same circumstances. If you want to create a successful future then stop complaining about your life and start focusing on success.
4. Let go.
Holding on to past regrets and hurts are of no benefit to our present life. Let go of things that are beyond your control and act on the things that you can control.
“Living in the past is living with regret, living in the future is living with anxiety, living in the present is living in peace.”
—Lao Tzu
5. Take responsibility.
Complainers are usually the people who play victim. Are you a victim of your circumstance or are you in control of your own destiny? Rather than complain about your life, why not take steps to change it? Your future life is in your control; it’s up to you to take action.
6. Take action.
Very often, the people who sit around complaining are the people who don’t take action. If you want to change your situation you have to take action. Start small; ten minutes a day can help you to make progress in working towards making your life happier and more successful.
7. Make a plan.
If you are not happy with the way things are and you have decided to take responsibility for changing it, you may welcome a plan to make things happen. It can be difficult to get started, so by writing everything down, you will have more clarity and focus. Use your calendar to schedule time and you will be in a much strong position from the start.
8. Exercise.
Creating the habit of exercise is a great way to shift from negative to positive. Exercise is good for you in so many ways, and it also acts as a catalyst for change. If you can bring exercise into your day, you will see how everything in your life will change for the better.
9. Happiness.
And lastly, don’t forget to focus on happiness. Happiness is within your grasp and it starts with a decision. Decide to be happy now. As Lao Tzu also said, “There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.” Don’t sit around waiting for your life to change; go out and change it. If something makes you unhappier, don’t sit around complaining—do something about it. Focus on all the good in your life and do the things that make you happy now. There are plenty of ways to be happier and more productive instead of complaining
Featured photo credit: A Howling Monkey by Bob Holt via flickr.com
