Inspiring Workplaces: Quit Complaining About Complaining!

Published: Wed, 11/30/16

Humor at Work

ISSUE 657 - Nov 30, 2016


			Quit Complaining About Complaining

	Do you ever find yourself complaining about the amount of complaining going on in your office and then realize you've turned into one of the complainers? Surveys suggest workplace complaining is on the rise and that complaining drives everyone around the bend, including, oddly enough, the complainers. An article from Entrepreneur cites research showing that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation. Ouch! And chronic complaining has been shown to rewire our brains to make future complaining even more likely. Research from Stanford University shows that complaining shrinks the hippocampus - the part of your brain that's key to problem-solving and intelligent thought (as opposed to a Hippo Campus: a university designed exclusively for hippopotamuses, which conjures up a rather delightful image). Complaining also releases the stress hormone cortisol, which does all sorts of nasty things to our bodies. But wait, there's more! Due to the phenomenon known as neuronal mirroring, people naturally and subconsciously mimic the moods of people around them - in other words complaining is highly contagious! Besides being careful about who you spend your time with, researchers suggest two solutions when you are tempted to jump aboard the complain train. First, shift your thinking to remind yourself what you are grateful for. It sounds cheesy and simplistic, but research at the University of California found that focusing on what you're grateful for reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. And when it is something that's worth complaining about, the second solution is to practice solution-based complaining: focus on what your desired goal or outcome is with a clear purpose in mind, start by focusing on the positive points surrounding the issue, be as specific as possible when talking about a solution or desired outcome, and end on a positive tone with a recommendation for how to move forward to resolve the issue amicably.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

This makes a fun team building, brainstorming activity as well: Have everyone create an alternative, second job title for themselves that is imaginative, offbeat, and fun - a title that truly captures the essence of everyone's job. One of my clients has even included everyone's secondary, unofficial job title on everyone's business cards and website directory, including job titles such as Director of First Impressions, Chief Problem Solver, Manager of Vibe, and Guy in Charge Of Stuff No One Else Wants to Do. You can also do this as a one-off event by having everyone wear a sticker for one day revealing their choice for their fun alternative job title.
		Quote of the Week

“There are always constraints. The question is what will you do in spite of them.” Dr. John Izzo
		It's a Wacky World

Let me be the first to say it: WOW- it's December tomorrow! Which means, yup, there's only 23 days until Festivus for the Rest of Us! And of course, many other Offbeat Theme Days, such as: December 1: Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day December 3: Earmuff Day December 5: Bathtub Party Day December 8: Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day December 10: Gingerbread Decorating Day December 15: Cat Herders Day December 16: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day December 18: Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day December 21: Short Girl Appreciation Day December 26: Whiners Day December 30: No Interruptions Day December 31: Make Up Your Mind Day

Cost-Savings to Bring Mike in to Speak
Okanagan: "I need to see Mom" special rate on-going!
Saskatoon: March 3
Winnipeg: June 20-22
Florida, July 2-9

Humor@Work YouTube
First impressions last. That's why your business might benefit from a Director of First Impressions!

More Reading
A guest post on the Humor at Work blog site by the lovely and talented Tina Varughese: Merry Christmas at the Office or Happy Holidays?

Follow Humor at Work