Success and Freedom

5 Questions to Find Out If You're a Grump

Find out where you fall in the complaining scale—and how you can shift your mindset to a more positive one.

Find out where you rank on this quiz adapted from Jon Gordon’s The No Complaining Rule (Wiley, 2008). Read the five statements below and then select the response that best describes how strongly you agree or disagree with each. At the end, total your score to see where you fall in the complaining scale—along with corrective actions that can take you to a more blissful state.

1. I usually share my problems with others.

• 4. Strongly agree
• 3. Agree
• 2. Disagree
• 1. Strongly disagree

2. People seem to cut my conversations short at parties.

• 4. Strongly agree
• 3. Agree
• 2. Disagree
• 1. Strongly disagree

3. When I post thoughts on Facebook, I don’t get very many likes.

• 4. Strongly agree
• 3. Agree
• 2. Disagree
• 1. Strongly disagree

4. If my life were made into a movie, I would characterize it as a drama instead of a love story, comedy or inspirational tale.

• 4. Strongly agree
• 3. Agree
• 2. Disagree
• 1. Strongly disagree

5. When talking with co-workers, we often discuss the annoying policies and people at work.

• 4. Strongly agree
• 3. Agree
• 2. Disagree
• 1. Strongly disagree

Now, tally your score by adding the numbers that correspond to each answer. For example, if you answered “Strongly Agree” for all five questions, your total would be 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 20.

17–20: You are a very grumpy complainer.

It’s time to kick the complaining habit. Try these tools:

1. Replace have to with get to. Each time you are about to complain that you have to do something, instead remind yourself that you get to do it.

2. Use the but + positive approach: If you do complain, then say the word but and add something positive—for instance: I don’t feel like working out today, but I know it will make me more productive.

3. Talk to yourself instead of listening to yourself. Most negativity and unhappiness are caused by the fact that we listen to ourselves. Instead talk to yourself, feeding your mind with encouragement and thoughts that will fuel your success.

13–16: You are a grump.

Replace negativity with these actions so you cultivate positive energy:

1. Practice gratitude. Be thankful for what you have rather than dwelling on what you don’t.

2. Praise others. Focus on what people are doing right, and they will do more things right.

3. Start a success journal. Before bedtime, don’t think about the things that went wrong; contemplate the one success of the day.

9–12: You’re in the middle of the road.

Shift gears and focus on the positive with these three tips from Gordon's book The Positive Dog:

1. Take a thank-you walk each morning; as you stroll, think of all the things you are thankful for.

2. Turn LOSS into a Learning Opportunity and Stay Strong. For every challenge, ask what you can learn from it.

3. Turn complaints into solutions. For every complaint, identify a solution. The process will train your mind to focus on the positive.

5–8: Being a grump isn’t an issue for you.

Stay positive and keep sharing the positive energy.