A Complaint Free World - whatever next?

A simple premise:
Wear a purple wristband, change it to the other wrist every time you hear yourself complaining, and try to go 21 days without having to change it.
As it takes three weeks to change a habit, when you can go this long you've made a significant positive change to your thoughts and behaviour.

This started with a small church congregation and has become a world-wide phenomenon; 6 million people are now wearing their purple wristbands and changing the world by starting with themselves. A bill of congress was even passed in America supporting ‘Complaint Free Wednesday’.

So I got myself a wristband. It's been a week and I must admit it's been on and off a few times, but that's starting to change! Now what I find is that I notice when I'm about to whine about something, and I make a choice (usually) not to bother. And this doesn't mean just putting up with stuff! It's certainly not about just giving in and taking it.

In that moment when I realise I'm about to grumble, I can make a choice... If it's something I feel strongly enough about then I'm goaded to actually do something about it, and if it's not then I often realise I was just whinging for something to do, or to get other people enrolled in my negativity - misery loves company and all that.

Some of our patients have started wearing a wristband and already there's a definite change in them. For someone with a history of illness who wants a better quality of life, this could be a powerful little tool in their journey to health.

Not sure how long it'll take to hit the 3 week mark, but it's such a great idea, so brilliant in its simplicity - that I'll certainly keep trying!

Check out the A Complaint Free World webite if you want to know more.