Complaints have become an epidemic in our world today. Complaining is the latest and most popular full-contact sport in our society. Unfortunately, when you constantly and aggressively complain about poor performance and bad service, your verbal assaults and admonishments often fall on deaf ears.
This is a result of the scales being out of balance. Your complaints are piled on top of everyone else’s complaints, creating a constant stream of complaint-filled conversation.
The people with hotels, restaurants, airlines, and all manner of businesses that hear these complaints are not able to distinguish them from all the other noise around them, because this is all they ever hear. Too often, we feel pre-programmed to catch people doing something wrong and tell them all about it.
I am on an ongoing quest to catch people doing something right and let them know about it. This makes me feel better. It makes them feel better. And I have been surprised to learn that it actually makes my complaints, suggestions, and constructive criticism more valid when a difficult situation arises.
When you find someone doing a menial, clerical, or service job well, be sure to tell them. Yours may be the only compliment they have received in weeks or even months. You will make their day, and I assure you that you will feel better. The serendipity will come into play when you find that if you require anything extra or have a situation you need corrected, these people will go out of their way to promptly and professionally serve you.
Recently, I had a flight attendant greet me by name as I walked onto a jet. Immediately my ego kicked in, and I assumed she recognized me from television, one of my convention or arena speeches, or possibly one of my brief appearances in a movie. It turns out it was nothing quite that grandiose.
When I inquired how she knew my name, she informed me that I had been on a flight of hers several weeks previously, and I had complimented her on the meal and on the service. I will admit to you that I do not even remember the occasion that she referred to as it has become my practice to catch people doing something right. I did find it fascinating that, out of the thousands of passengers she encountered throughout a month, she remembered me simply from a brief compliment.
As you go through your day today, if you want to stand out from the crowd, don’t complain the loudest. Just catch people doing something right.
Today’s the day!
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Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082, or by e-mail at JimStovall@aol.com. Visit www.JimStovall.com
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