You Whine Like Your Children

by Sach Kiret Kaur

It often feels like my kids complain a lot. They complain before they even think through possible ways that the situation is great or can be great. Just go straight to what sucks and whine about it.  It is so annoying to hear, even when I can acknowledge their gripes.
So I advise, help them get through their woes about the situation, and sometimes I can be successful in helping them see a different perspective. As I hear myself, I can think of recent moments where I have felt tantrum-y and express my angst to the people closest to me. That must get old. For me, usually it is about self doubt and why it is hard for me to do something, whatever that something is.  I put it out there as a cry for help. But it is premature, like my kids complaining without contemplating better angles. But they are children.
When I was not my own boss, I could not allow myself to bring up problems without some solutions. Unimpressive, at the least. Wasting the boss’ time with this? Not pretty. That is complaining without any thought. As my own boss, I know I can’t fire me, I must live with me. But why waste MY time? Why not be impressive-- to myself? I would rather have an employee who brings solutions to any problems, not just the one who shares the bad news of problems.
Notice the problems, but always formulate solutions before airing the negatives.