I know you do it!
Something happens that you don’t like and you just HAVE to tell somebody about it.
Not just somebody…but EVERYBODY!
Anyone who will listen.
- You tell the clerk while you are at the checkout.
- You call your best friend and complain to them
- You most certainly post about it on Facebook so other complainers can tell you how angry they are and how the same thing has happened to them
- You tell your girlfriend, wife and/or both
- You want to tell your diary but that can get mad with you…but is just as effective as all the others.
You just want you complaint to be heard!
Why?
Who knows! Have you ever noticed how you feel after complaining to one of your friends? You share your terrible story, then they try to top you with and equally terrible story, then you share another….
This goes on and on until you are both whipped up into a frenzy! But do you actually ever do anything about it???
NO!
It is so much easier to piss and moan than it is to actually get off you ass and change what you are complaining about!
So this is not going to be your typical “Feel-Good” list of motivational quotes. This is meant to show you who is the only one who can really make a difference in your life
YOU!
1.
Something I learned from Jon Morrow –
“You could either fight for your life, or lay down and wait to die.” – Tweet THIS!
2.
“Spending Today Complaining about yesterday wont make tomorrow any better” – Tweet THIS!
Stop and think: what benefits do you always receive from complaining about something that has already happend?
You get to relive the experience again like it just happened. You get to feel the pain and emotion each and every time you share the story. You even get to spread the anger you are feeling to your loved ones you are forcing to listen to you. I bet you are a blast at the holidays!
3.
Listening to too much complaining is bad for your brain in multiple ways. . . .
“The brain works more like a muscle than we thought,” Blake says. “So if you’re pinned in a corner for too long listening to someone being negative, you’re more likely to behave that way as well.”
Even worse, being exposed to too much complaining can actually make you dumb. Research shows that exposure to 30 minutes or more of negativity–including viewing such material on TV–actually peels away neurons in the brain’s hippocampus. “That’s the part of your brain you need for problem solving,” he says. “Basically, it turns your brain to mush.”
Read full article at Inc.com
4.
“I enjoy complaining almost as much as not doing anything about my complaints” – Tweet THIS!
Sounds pretty funny when you read it like this doesn’t it? But remember the last time you complained to someone? Probably was not that long ago. Think about it. Did you actually DO anything about what your were complaining about?
5.
“Complaining is Draining” – Tweet THIS!
Think about the person who has to sit and listing to you complaining and pretending they care. You are literally sucking the life out of them!
6.
image by http://ashleighnoel.tumblr.com
This is what you sound like to the people around you. If you see them slowly backing out the door and nodding, you may wont to find a brighter topic before they all run screaming in the other direction!
7.
“Success Trains. Failure Complains” – Tweet THIS!
Simple enough. You want results? Do what successful people do. How many people do you know at the top that spend most of their days complaining?
8.
As bad as you think your little problem is there is always someone who has to deal with much worse!
9.
“As you take a breath right now another person takes their last. Stop whining and learn to live your life to the fullest” – Tweet THIS!
You time here is so limited and so valuable. Spend it doing things that uplift you. Not speaking about things that bring you and others down!
10.
“If you do not like where you are, then change it. You are not a tree” – Tweet THIS!
Everything can be changed! There is ALWAYS something you can do to change your current state. Look for solutions instead of dwelling on the past.
11.
WOW! READ IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12.
Someone has probably offered you a solution to that thing you are complaining about and yet you refused it! Are you that person who just wants to complain but doesn’t really want the problem fixed?
13.
“I have the choice to be angry at God for what I don’t have or be thankful for what I do have” ~ Nick Vuljicic – Tweet THIS!
Your happiness is a choice! What you choose to focus on is ALWAYS in your control.
14.
If you spent less time bitching about your life you would probably enjoy it more – Tweet THIS!
Enough said!!!!
15.
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything – Tweet THIS!
Want the key to happiness? Love what you have. Give gratitude for everything. See everything as a gift.
You can’t give gratitude and be in a bad mood at the same time!
16.
Of course it burns, but complaining won’t make you look good naked – Tweet THIS!
Do you want to be heard and make your point or do you want results?
17.
Do you think you could have this kind of response to your problems? You need to!!!
18.
Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and offer thanks for all the troubles we don’t have. – Tweet THIS!
It can always get worse. Chances are, if all you are focusing on is the negative… IT WILL! It has no choice but to get worse! Change your focus!
19.
The grass is greener where you water – Tweet THIS!
People that you think have it better than you made a choice to MAKE things better than you. They did not sit around and complain about how others have more than them. They went out and got it for themselves.
20.
Be the change you want to see in your life!
21.
Let your past make you better, not bitter – Tweet THIS!
Find a way to turn it around. Instead of asking “why does this always happen to me”, instead say “How can I use this to make myself better”
22.
You can always find something wrong if that is what you are looking for. But then you overlook all the sweet goodness that is right there in front of you.
23.
Every second is a chance to turn your life around – Tweet THIS!
The most valuable thing you have on this earth is your time. You need to treat it as precious as a mother protecting it’s newborn child. You feed it. You nourish it. You only want the best for it.
And when the time comes you want to look back and say I made the absolute best of it.
How much more time would you waste on complaining.
Protect your time by spending in only the best ways imaginable!
70 Comments
Shirley Corder
September 10, 2012 at 11:58 am -I LOVED this! Thank you for a thought-provoking article that was nevertheless fun to read! Well done. I’m impressed – and challenged. 20 days to the launch of my book: Too much to do. No time to complain! Thanks for the reminder.
P. James Holland
September 10, 2012 at 2:20 pm -Your welcome Shirley! No excuses! No complaining! Sept 30th I will be looking forward to your book!
Bobbi Emel
September 10, 2012 at 4:35 pm -Great quotes, James. Thanks!
P. James Holland
September 10, 2012 at 6:50 pm -You are very welcome Bobbi. These will look great on my new Pinterest board =-)
http://pinterest.com/coachcomeback/motivational-inspirational-quotes-and-pictures/
Jane Robinson - Art Epicurean
September 10, 2012 at 4:51 pm -This was sooo much fun to read. Plus the inspiration! Thanks for a good lesson in a creative way. I have heard of many of these but I need to reminded of most of them so I can stop in my busyness and thank God for ALL the amazing blessing he has bestowed upon me. The one that hits me the strongest is #11. As an American we are sooo spoiled that we cannot imagine the lives most of world is living. Great post and glad I found you through A-listers. Bravo!
P. James Holland
September 10, 2012 at 10:00 pm -Thank you Jane. I also enjoyed 11. That is why I put “read it again” just to fully get the grasp of it.
So far I am loving the warm welcome from the fellow A-listers! Thank you for the very toughing and heartfelt comment
Jane Robinson - Art Epicurean
September 10, 2012 at 4:52 pm -Did you get my previous comment? Great job!
Marilyn Price-Mitchell PhD
September 10, 2012 at 5:04 pm -Loved this post! I hate complainers, so I’ll have to send this to a few people I know! Thanks for putting together a great collection of graphics too!
P. James Holland
September 15, 2012 at 10:12 am -You are very welcome Marilyn.
Let those complainers know “Complaining is Draining”
Lee J Tyler
September 10, 2012 at 7:12 pm -Love this. Gratitude attitude is what I call it. Just shared this. Great quotes to live by!
P. James Holland
September 10, 2012 at 10:02 pm -Thank you for sharing Lee. I may have to add number #24 Gratitude attitude.
I am going to put these on T-shirts and sell them at the flea market this weekend =-)
Priska
September 10, 2012 at 7:47 pm -What fun. I especially like ‘the grass is greener where you water it’. I better get watering.
P. James Holland
September 10, 2012 at 10:03 pm -hahaha Let the water flow Priska!
Ani
September 11, 2012 at 1:47 am -grrrr…. I wrote a long comment and the there were some problems with Internet and the comment was list 🙁
So this one will be shorter.
I wanted to say that i really like your style of writing.
Besides I totally agree with all your points.
Complaining only takes away energy and makes you stay focused on your problems and re-living the unpleasant feelings/situations again and again.
P. James Holland
September 15, 2012 at 10:14 am -Sorry about your long comment. I bet it was extremely insightful. Maybe you can share your full thoughts on a guest post one day 😉
Ani
October 21, 2012 at 12:10 pm -Sure, just let me know what topic would you like to be covered and we can figure out a nice guest post 🙂
Ciara Conlon
September 12, 2012 at 9:56 am -Great list James, full of reasons to be grateful. Thanks for sharing some great inspiration
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:15 pm -You are welcome Ciara
Bloom
September 13, 2012 at 12:30 pm -James, I love this post, it reaffirms so much of what I try to tell people. That complaining’s not going to get you anywhere and time’s better spent working towards a solution. Often times when people talk to me about their complaints and problems I ask them what they’re doing to fix them. Most of the time that question is met by stunned silence. It’s great to know there’s other people out there who still believe in working towards solutions and not just vocalizing how unjust they think the world is. Thanks James.
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:20 pm -I totally agree with you Bloom. I always ask people in the middle of their complaints if they actually told the person they are complaining about.
Same thing…. blank stares.
Kaylee
September 14, 2012 at 4:34 pm -I love these kinds of quotes, James. I feel like the big message here is: be grateful. I can find a lot to complain about in my life right now, but if I did that, I’d be miserable. I think I’ll choose to look at the blessings instead. Thank sfor the reminder. =)
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:22 pm -Absolutely! Put that same energy we use complaining into searching for things to be grateful for.
Probably the follow up post right there =-)
Dolly Garland
September 14, 2012 at 7:32 pm -Absolutely brilliant post! This is exactly the reminder we all need, and it’s the kind of message that needs to be spread. So many people spend time just whining and whining, instead of taking actions. Thank you for sharing this with us.
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:23 pm -Glad you got the message here Dolly. Stay tuned for more.
Joel Zaslofsky
September 14, 2012 at 11:15 pm -Well that was certainly comprehensive. And as I guy who does and appreciates comprehensive, this gets my seal of approval James.
You might want to add a resource to your list and make this “24 Ways”. My friend Denise wrote a tremendous article on her blog earlier this week about the same subject and I’d highly encourage people to check it out. It’s called “Constructive Complaining” and can be found here: http://nurturingcreativity.net/constructive-complaining/
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 11:07 pm -Great resource Joel!
And thanks for giving me the seal of approval. I just put it up on my mantle next to my other most prestigious awards!! =-)
Thanks for stopping by
Amit Amin
September 16, 2012 at 8:34 am -A few of those made me smile, and a few of those made me remember. Thank you for the great list.
Coach Comeback
September 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm -Glad you enjoyed it Amit
Sally Branch
September 25, 2012 at 4:54 am -I like this very much. It’s a difficult thing for some people (or perhaps all of us, sometimes :-)) to see the ‘truth’ of these words and images – we feel caught up in the need to make ourselves right, and others wrong; or to convince others that we we have been hard done by. It takes courage to let go of those responses, but what rewards there are!
Thank you.
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 6:43 pm -The blame game is so enticing to play isn’t it Sally? I knew I would not make too many friend with this post as people never want to hear how much their complaining really is not helping anyone or how little others actually care to hear about it.
Eventually you will end up pushing your friends and family away if you don’t push past it soon. Many great rewards come from forgiveness and moving on. Thank you for saying so.
Kim Thirion
October 2, 2012 at 3:22 pm -Wowee! I loved this post!
“So if you’re pinned in a corner for too long listening to someone being negative, you’re more likely to behave that way as well.” — BEEN THERE! I had this job once, that was nothing but 12 women complaining and groaning all night long. It made a nice job unbearable!
You’ve really nailed it with this post!
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 11:09 pm -Sounds like a very uninspiring environment! Complaining is Draining!
I hope you got the hell outa there Kim!
Deone Higgs
October 4, 2012 at 2:48 pm -Powerful post here James! I have to admit I found a few of these tickled my funny bone a bit. This was full of capital T-R-U-T-H! I have a few in the bunch that were my personal faves, but #2, #5, #11, and #14 were pure genius! 😀 You knocked this one out of the park, buddy.
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm -Thank you Deone.
It seems I get my message across the best when I am not trying to write so structured like we are taught and just speak from the heart. That is what happened here.
Fresh Ideas and Fresh Starts – Best of the Web! | Firepole Marketing Blog
October 4, 2012 at 6:23 pm -[…] 23 Pictures That Say Stop Complaining and Start Creating (Coach Comeback) […]
Alex
October 7, 2012 at 3:10 pm -Awesome post, these “Picture quotes” are so powerful it’s ridiculous, sometimes the word just hit home and really make you think about your own life!! Great post to read on a Sunday evening… Monday is going to be awesome!
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 11:10 pm -Great medicine to set the tone of the rest of your week huh Alex?
Looking to make that shift in perspective. Sometimes thats all you need.
Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.
October 7, 2012 at 4:00 pm -Hi Coach,
Thank you for sharing this telling photos that put our so-called problems in perspective.
Each day I start the day thanking God for another day and expressing gratitude that I can get out of bed on my own power. When I begin to feel sorry for myself over some silly thing, I pull myself back to the reality that I’m very blessed.
To keep myself with a positive and grateful attitude, I avoid toxic people and choose inspiring people like you instead.
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 11:12 pm -You have an amazing system Flora. That is much better than a cup of coffee and groaning about having to go to work. Then groaning about traffic… then groaning about your boss…. then groaning abo……. well you get what I mean
Vinay
October 8, 2012 at 7:11 pm -Awesome way of saying thanking to the world by sharing this wonderful pic-o-article. I appreciate this. Thanks a ton.
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 6:45 pm -I will have to make a new category on my site for “pic-o-articles”. I love that phrase Vinay.
If you loved this one you should really subscribe to get the next one any the book “The Power Of Habit – Essentials” for free =-)
Izzy
October 9, 2012 at 9:23 am -Coach this is an amazing post. Wow! This is great :). You nailed it on all components – great content, great title, great message :).
So many people struggle accepting that they are the ones in control of their lives. It is scary yet incredibly liberating all at the same time. Scary because we have to do something about it – but liberating because we can actually do something about it.
I’m gonna share the @#$! out of this post. Nice work!
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:31 pm -This comment made my day my Ninja!!!!
Love the enthusiasm!
Thank you for the compliments. Knowing you are responsible for everything that is in your life is a tough pill to swallow for most. Easier just to blame other people and then complain and plead helpless.
For most there is some deep rooted connection to the sympathy and attention we get from complaining…. but that is a whole new post.
Bob Brumm
October 9, 2012 at 2:43 pm -this post is Awesome. We need to be tahnkful for everyday we have. We never know when our time will come. Complaining is of no value to anyone including ourselves.
Keep up the great work.
P. James Holland
October 9, 2012 at 10:25 pm -“Complaining is of no value to anyone….”
Great way to sum it up. I think I will tweet that Bob!
Liz Hancock
October 19, 2012 at 6:52 am -Hi Coach,
I just stumbled across your blog and had to comment on this inspiring post. What a great visual representation of remembering to not sweat the small stuff! I especially liked #10, so simple and very true.
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 6:58 pm -Yes. I too love the profoundness of 10. Next time you hear someone complaining stop them in their tracks and ask them “but are you going to do anything to change this?” and just sit back and notice the blank stares you get. Conversation ender for sure. =-)
Samuel
October 20, 2012 at 6:51 am -I particularly like #10, #15, #16 & #19. I don’t think being thankful is a useful advice (this just sounds good, but no practical value for people suffering right now) but being willing to do hard work and not bitching about it is.
There is a big gap between good thinking and good action. Good action however wins hands down every time.
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 7:02 pm -Gratitude is huge my friend! When you are at your worst you can have a complete paradigm shift by choosing to look for things to be grateful for.
If you lost your house you may be totally devastated. If you call everyone under the sun and tell them how devastated you are then they share stories of friends who are also devastated, you will actually feel worse. But if you stopped and said “Well I still have my car, my health, my job, my family, my friends, my goldfish, food, clothes, sight, strength, knowledge…..” You could immediately begin to feel better and optimistic about rebuilding and starting over.
Do not underestimate the power of gratitude Samuel.
Samuel
October 26, 2012 at 12:54 am -hey James,
not trying to argue with you, but counting what you still have left to “feel good” is dangerous. Many people keep counting until they don’t have much left. Then you work hard in your mind finding something else to count (I still have plenty supply of air etc.). Deep down in you mind you know you are kidding to yourself.
What I find important is to “forgive and move on”. Forgive people who did you wrong and forgive yourself for not have done the best you can. And then reinvent yourself, starting from “zero”, like #23 suggests.
Amit Amin
October 21, 2012 at 8:23 pm -Actually, I don’t do any of those things, and it really pisses me off when others do. So congrats, for a great in-your-face-but-totally-necessary post!
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 7:03 pm -Thanks Amit. How long did it take you to master the art of non-complaining? Who do you study? What books do you read? What inspires you?
Amit Amin
October 25, 2012 at 7:22 pm -I’ve gotta chalk this one up to personality.
I still complain every now and again to myself in my head (I’m working on that!), but when, for example, the boss would ask me to fill up his coffee for the 10th time the same day, not only would I smile outwardly, I’d smile inwardly as well.
1. I was born highly with the trait conscientiousness. (genes)
2. During my formative teenage years, I had a disabling physical condition (fibromyalgia), which helped put some things in perspective. At the same time, I was exposing myself to budhist and stoic philosophy. (life experience)
3. My parents were not forgiving of my complaining. (environment)
So, some combination of genes, environment, and life experience?
P. James Holland
October 27, 2012 at 2:01 pm -What a fascinating background you have Amit. I am glad you are sharing all of your experienced with the world of at Happier Human.com
Sounds like you have and interesting childhood . .. and pretty awesome parents.
Jill Tooley
October 22, 2012 at 3:52 pm -These are so good, Coach!
#22 is my favorite…who would have thought that fruit has the same concerns as we do? 😉 That just goes to show how focused we are on faults as opposed to goals. How could we overlook the sweet goodness that’s right in front of us? We should spend more time tapping into those creative juices instead of ignoring them. (It sounds corny, I know, but I like corny!)
Thanks for writing that guest post on Firepole Marketing, otherwise who knows if I would have ever found your blog. I’ll be back!
P. James Holland
October 27, 2012 at 2:04 pm -Thanks Jill! This comment made my day! 🙂 Sounds like you have a very vivid imagination like me. Embrace that!!!
Sometimes corny is just as effective as profound. We all have creative juices we overlook at times. It is easy to focus on the negative. It takes work to look for the good among them. Thanks for putting in the work Jill.
Hope to see you around here more often 😀
farouk
October 23, 2012 at 8:47 am -very interesting post
the picture of the toothbrush is amazing, it means stop comparing yourself to those who are better than yo and look at those who aren’t
thanks for the post:)
P. James Holland
October 28, 2012 at 8:26 pm -Thanks for stopping by Farouk! Glad you enjoyed the post.
CreditDonkey
October 25, 2012 at 6:15 am -Hi Coach,
I love these quotes, especially #11! How very true! We tend to take for granted the things we already have in our lives and focus more on what we want and don’t have.
I say let’s stop complaining and start doing!
P. James Holland
October 28, 2012 at 8:29 pm -You are right Donky (lol) number 11 really puts things into perspective. Most of the time, we already have what it is we are seeking right in front of us. We just get numb to it. Hopefully it does not have to be taken away before you realize what you have.
Take actions to create the change you want. Crying about it does not count. =-)
Ralph
October 25, 2012 at 4:54 pm -I’d have to say that the last one is the most powerful. Making the decision to stop complaining and make lasting change starts this very second. Its real easy to want to stop complaining but to actually do it takes a conscious effort and the more we put it off the harder it will be to change. Good reminders
P. James Holland
October 28, 2012 at 8:30 pm -So very true Ralph! There is no better time than NOW!
Belinda Summers
November 20, 2012 at 1:10 am -Wow…Very lucky to found your post. These are great life lessons that everyone should know. Tweeted and shared it to some of my networks. Hoping to read more of these. 🙂 I want you to know that you have touched and probably changed some of your readers life.
Thanks for sharing:)
P. James Holland
December 31, 2012 at 8:08 pm -Thank you for sharing and tweeting Belinda. <3 It is nice to hear that this post had that kind of impact. I am very grateful to have experienced this with all of you. Hope you have a great new year
Mike Kawula
December 31, 2012 at 1:46 pm -I could never get tired of looking at these each day! Should be emailed daily as a reminder to all! Thanks 🙂
P. James Holland
December 31, 2012 at 7:49 pm -You are very welcome Mike. That is a great idea! I might just do that 😉
Warning: Ignore StumbleUpon and Ignore 25 Million Potential Clients | Firepole Marketing Blog
October 10, 2013 at 10:54 am -[…] You can view the test post at: 23 Pictures That Say – Stop Complaining and Start Creating. […]
12 Lessons About Life Learned From Bboying | Alden-tan.com
May 29, 2014 at 10:42 am -[…] Take action and build the life you want, now! […]
Johna498
September 4, 2014 at 10:53 pm -Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also cdffkkffdcca
9 Tips to Deal with Sexism and Combat Unconscious Bias in Agriculture | Ag Women's Network
September 17, 2016 at 5:33 am -[…] Quote Source: ComebackCoach.com/complaining […]