The No Complaining Rule

“The measure of our success will not be determined by how we act during the great times in our life but rather by how we think and respond to the challenges of our most difficult moments.”  Jon Gordon

I hate it when people complain (though I’m sure I do my fair share) so I thought I’d enjoy the book The No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon. Though the substance of the book was not as full and complete as I had hoped, there were a few concepts which I enjoyed. 

Number one was the idea of our organizations (whether our businesses, community, or even our family etc.) being likened to a tree.  Too often we focus only on the fruit and we neglect the roots.  The author points out that the people of an organization are the roots and if we focus on them first and most often, we will be pleased with the fruits.  Unfortunately the fruit can be so enticing that it is all we focus on and we often neglect the roots.  And when we neglect the roots, our fruit is not very good.  I love this idea and emphasis on focusing on our people in any organization because the people are really what matter.  When we have great people who are engaged and excited about what we are doing, good things happen.  Smart leaders invest their time and energy in to their people!  Rather than focusing only on the results, we must focus on those who produce them. 

Number two is the idea that we need to give three times as much praise as criticism.  Unfortunately I believe I am bad at this and tend to focus on things that need to be fixed rather than things that are going right.  I believe however there is power in being positive and pointing out the good often.  When we point out the good and focus on it, it tends to grow and the same can be true of the bad.  In order to be better leaders and better people, we must strive to focus more on praise. 

Number three is the idea that it is all up to us.  When we complain and are negative it is our choice.  No one can force us to complain or be negative.  The power is within us to be positive and focus on the good no matter what life may bring our way.  We can be in the most difficult of circumstances and maintain a positive attitude or we can be in the best of circumstances and still choose to complain about something.  The choice is always ours and those who avoid complaining bring positive energy to themselves and others which helps create positive results. 

No complaining is hard but worth the effort.  If we could wipe negativity out of our life and replace it with positive energy, we’d be much happier and successful in life and become better people and leaders.  And the same can be said for our organizations.  So, let’s do this, here is to No Complaining!