by Mardi Allen, Life Coach
Mardi@CoachMardi.net
www.coachmardi.net

Be Part of the Solution

What are you doing to create your ideal life?  Are you taking responsibility for yourself, your health, your finances, your career, your marriage, your relationships, your habits, and your thinking?  Are you finding solutions for life’s challenges or are you blaming others and constantly complaining?

Complaining without searching for a solution is a waste of time and energy, and it is toxic.  It can hurt your career as it can lead to wasted time, loss of productivity, anxiety, and anger.  It can also play havoc in your personal relationships, as no one enjoys being around someone who complains all the time, except another chronic complainer.

It is not what happens to us in life but how we deal with it.  When confronted with dissatisfaction or a challenge, look for the solution and fix it rather than engage in mindless venting and complaining.  Take responsibility for what you want to create and make it happen.  When we complain or blame others, it takes us off the hook. Make the solution your responsibility and take action to fix the problem.

When I was in corporate America, I had an open door policy.  However, anytime an employee came with a challenge, complaint, or something they were dissatisfied with, they were to bring two solutions as well.  I got a lot of amazing ideas from people who were interested in fixing what was wrong instead of blaming others. This exercise works our personal lives as well.  It works in our marriages, families, and groups. Stop looking at the problem and ask yourself what you can do to solve it, then approach everyone involved with a couple of solutions.

Here are three ways to find a solution to any challenging situation.

1.  Change the situation. Brainstorm; come up with several possible solutions.

2.  Remove yourself from the situation.

3.  Accept the situation as it is. Stop complaining about it and move on emotionally.

Remember, if you are spending all of your time on the problem instead of the solution you will get more of the problem.  Focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want.