How to be happy by learning how to stop complaining

Unfortunately, many of us start complaining unconsciously without even realizing it. We complain about the weather, traffic, a bad meal, the government, our health, and the state of the world. We feel our complaints are legitimate so we don't think twice about expressing them.

But once you understand that complaining blocks your capacity to feel good, the validity of the complaint no longer matters. When you break this complaint habit you will find yourself surrounded by solutions instead of problems.

Because complaining is usually done unconsciously, the best way to break the habit is to become aware any time you start to complain.

Here are 3 of my favorite how to stop complaining methods:

1. I learned about the 21 day stop complaining challenge from the book A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted . Basically you wear a band on your wrist and every time you complain you have to move the band to the other wrist. The object is to wear the band on the same wrist for 21 consecutive days. After the 21 days you will break the habit of complaining. You may have seen the author on Oprah or some of the morning shows. It is very easy and very effective.

2. Another easy and helpful way to learn how to stop complaining is to incorporate the Abraham-Hicks process of positive aspects. Every day (for at least 21 days) get a notebook to be used for capturing the positive aspects of the people and situations in your life. Each page should represent a different person, thing, or event. Write what you like about that person or thing. The more you focus on the positive qualities of others the less you will find things to find fault with. You will feel good while focusing on what you like about someone or something. By deliberately focusing on what feels good you are bringing more goodness and well being into your life.

3. Another fun way to become more aware when you are complaining is to engage others. You can have a contest to see who can be complaint-free the longest. It’s much easier to break a habit when you have the support of others.