There are many ways to live life. Some people follow the positive suggestions approach. They aim to apply this in their own lives and the possible ways forward that can produce positive results.
Such people may also follow this approach in other situations. They may then, but only when appropriate, offer positive suggestions that can improve situations or maybe provide solutions to challenges.
Some people follow the simply complaining approach. They focus on what they see as problems and seldom offer any thought-through solutions. Such people may sometimes seem to be addicted to complaining.
The different approaches that people take can have consequences for both themselves and other people. Let’s explore how they may translate these approaches into action.
The Positive Suggestions Approach
People who take this approach often have a positive attitude. They tend to be creators rather than complainers. When looking at their own life or work, they may aim:
To build on what is going well … To clarify what they could do better and how … To implement the ideas and focus on continuous improvement.
Such people may also encounter other situations where they focus consider how things could be improved. This could when working in an organisation or seeing how things could be improved in a society.
They may then explore the possible ways forwards. One approach is for them to use their imagination to work through the following framework before making a positive suggestion.
People who follow this approach show respect for people and try to present their ideas in a positive way. They also recognise, however, what they can and control in a particular situation.
Such people recognise that sometimes the positive suggestion may be listened to, considered and even translated into action. There may be other situations where this does not happen.
People who follow this approach often do so because they want to encourage others. They may also, when appropriate, aim to find positive solutions to challenges. Some people take another approach.
The Simply Complaining Approach
Some people complain about things but then take responsibility for trying to make positive suggestions. But some people seem to be addicted to simply complaining.
Some people spend much of their lives following this approach. They may do so as politicians, observer critics or keyboard warriors. They seem to enjoy pointing out what they see as the shortcomings in others.
Sometimes it is possible to use Flip Questions with such people. These are designed to encourage a person to channel their energy in a positive way. After listening to their complaint, it is to ask them questions such as:
“What is your positive suggestion? What would you like to happen instead? How would you like the other person – or the group of people – to behave?”
Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the person who is complaining says that there is no point in making suggestions because other people won’t take any notice. They therefore choose to go on complaining.
There are many ways to live life. Some people follow the positive suggestions approach. They apply this in their own lives and, when appropriate, sometimes in other situations.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
What may be the specific situation? What may be the positive suggestion you want to make? How can you make this in a way that increases the chances of it being considered and maybe even translated into action?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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