Do you complain a lot? At home, at work or in your spare time?
I’m not sure if I do. It’s so hard to tell. Does it count as a complaint when I say “Oh no! It’s raining again”? Or is it a complaint only when it’s a full-fledged registered grievance with a restaurant manager when I was served cold soup?
Apparently, the average person complains 15 to 30 times a day. Yikes! Yet, complaining is just part of what makes us human. We perceive things that are not normal and point out what’s wrong with the picture. Not too damaging if our complaints only affect our personal well-being. Unfortunately, once a complaint is given wings – others can’t help but mimic that sentiment!
Now take those 15-30 complaints per person, per day, and do the math in an organization of 18,000 adult Members. Enough said.
So how can we work around this?
After all, complaints aren’t “wrong.” Nor are they necessarily ill-founded. But, sending them out into the world, without offering some solutions, does no one much good.
So I ask: could you be one of Guiding’s Pollyannas? Would you consider cutting down on just one complaint a day, and instead making a suggestion to solve the problem? It’s won’t be easy, but I challenge you, our dedicated GirlGuidesCANblog readers. Take that frown and turn it upside down: by blogging about it!
If misery truly loves company, your blog post may resonate with others and make you feel less like “it must be me!”. More importantly, you’d get it off your chest and offer your solution of how the issue could be resolved.
In the past, we’ve encouraged you at the bottom of our guest blog posts to consider pitching us your idea:
“Did you enjoy this post? Didn’t enjoy it but have something to say about it? We encourage you to share your comments and to pitch us your blog idea!”
We even lied at one point: (sorry!)
“Hey blog reader! Yesterday, five people pitched us their ideas for future blog posts. Where’s yours?”
Today we’re potentially offering you the blog as a place to vent your frustrations – as long as it’s accompanied by a suggestion as to how you, your Unit, Area or District managed to work things out!
But hey, if this blatant call for blog post pitches still doesn’t work out for us, and no one comes forward, don’t be surprised to find subliminal messages in our next communication to our Members!
By Talya, GGC staff
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