You know what your problem is…Your breath stinks!

by Dan Gathof

Some psychologists estimate that the average person complains between 15 to 30 times a day, often without realizing they’re doing it.  What’s wrong with you people?!!

On top of that, research shows that complaining can have serious negative effects, like damaging your health, lowering workplace morale, and even impairing the areas of the brain responsible for creativity and problem-solving.  Will Bowen, creator of the Complaint Free Challenge, shared these facts last year at a keynote speech in Iowa.

Bowen stated “If you think of anyone you really respect — in most cases, they’re not really big complainers,” he said. “They’re so busy accomplishing something that they’re not putting their creative energy behind looking at what’s wrong.”  He continued “I joke that complaining is like bad breath. You notice it when it comes out of somebody else’s mouth, but not when it comes out of your own.”

When I reflected on this, I realized that I have the proverbial really, really bad breath.  Another candidate missed a scheduled call, my client email went unanswered, one of my children set their dirty dish relatively close to the dishwasher without actually putting it in, etc, etc, etc!  This negative positioning is impacting my creative energy.

Complaining often arises from frustration, unmet expectations, or a need for validation. In the workplace, employees may vent about lazy co-workers, unclear project expectations, or poor communication from their upline.  Candidates might complain about interview experiences as a way to process nerves or disappointment. At times, it’s simply a habit, reinforced by negativity in the environment.  While complaints can highlight legitimate concerns, they often drain energy and shift focus away from problem-solving.

Psychologists will say that constant negative thinking creates grooves in our brains that make more negative thinking easier. Complaining, like any repeated behavior, reinforces these neural pathways, making negativity a default mode of thought. This not only diminishes creativity and problem-solving ability but also impacts emotional well-being. Over time, this mindset can limit personal and professional growth, as our energy is consumed by problems rather than focused on solutions.

But there’s hope. Bowen said the opposite of complaining is gratitude.  Neuroscience tells us that we can rewire our brains by intentionally practicing positivity and gratitude. Simple shifts—like reframing a complaint into an opportunity for improvement—can help break the cycle and create space for creativity and innovation. As Bowen suggested, those we admire are often too busy achieving to dwell on complaints, a mindset worth emulating in our daily lives.

So here are 3 suggestions to help you shift your focus from complaining to gratitude:

1. Increase Self-Awareness – pay attention to how often you complain and track it.  This awareness is crucial to breaking the habit. Reflecting on when and why you complain helps you recognize patterns and triggers.
2. Pause and Reframe – when you catch yourself complaining, ask yourself “Is this productive?” or “How can I look at this differently?” Shift from a negative perspective to a positive one. For instance, if a project is frustrating, reframe it as an opportunity to improve your skills or collaborate more effectively.
3. Practice Gratitude – incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Write down things you’re grateful for, express gratitude in conversations and shift the focus from problems to appreciation. These habits rewire to appreciation.

Other techniques include adopting the Complaint-Free Challenge that Bowen suggests (committing to 21 days without complaining), replacing complaints with actionable solutions, and incorporating mindful practices like meditation to build a more positive mindset. These steps together can help reduce complaints, foster creativity, and improve your overall outlook.

Hire Thought

One of my complaints used to be that people complain too much.  But after reflecting on my own bad breath and diving into the science behind it, I realized that complaining is simply a habit—one we can break. So, here’s my challenge: Let’s all commit to the “Complaint-Free Challenge” for a week and see what happens. Notice the shift in energy, productivity, and creativity as we redirect our focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. Spoiler alert: it could make a huge impact in your work and your personal life. In a short period of time, you may find yourself with a fresher perspective—and breath!