In June of this year, Missouri democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver proposed legislation to set aside the day before Thanksgiving as “Complaint Free Wednesday.” It wasn’t his idea, but he encouraged it and said it was intended to help people “look forward, not backward”; an important factor in achieving success. Unfortunately, he was shot down in flames.

Many of those who shot him down saw complaining as a basic right; even a duty. “I thought dissent and complaining were patriotic” said one commenter.

Do they have a point? Sure. But at the same time, they’re also missing the point. And the point they’re missing has a lot to do with achieving success.

There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing, nothing wrong with dissent, nothing wrong with making it known to the appropriate people that you don’t like something. In fact, growth does not occur without looking at how something could be better.

But simply complaining – especially if you do it all the time – is a bore, non-productive, and sometimes even counter-productive. Achieving success in a certain direction – which the complainer will say is his goal – is done by doing, not by simply complaining. The people who actually create the change are the doers, those who spend more time working out solutions and bringing them to the table than they do complaining.

By the way, do check out the Complaint Free Blog where you can get and stay involved in the ‘complaint free lifestyle’. Someone’s turned this into a real entrepreneurial opportunity – personally, I think it’s great. Just think how much more pleasant and productive life would be.

Not everyone thought badly of Emanuel Cleaver’s suggestion. An Australian radio show asked to interview him. They think ‘Complaint Free Wednesday’ is a great idea.