Stop Complaining and Start Doing

The Power of Taking Action

Photo by Hannah Bickford on Unsplash

Workers are painting the exterior of the apartment building where I live—the final stage of a big project. When they cleaned and repainted the other five buildings, the noise, scaffolding, restrictions, and mess were frustrating; now it’s my turn. (Sigh!)

The job will take a month. I have to move everything from the patio, including plants, keep the windows closed during construction hours, and stay off the patio.

In the process, they will repaint the frame around the door so it will be open for several hours while the paint dries. I have two cats. How will that work? In addition, I’m going out of town for a week. The cats could get out.

To say I whined, moaned, and worried about this situation for the last six months is an understatement. But that’s me - complain rather than take action.

Complaining was beneficial, though; family and friends gave me great ideas.

But the time is here. I can’t change the situation, which is no big deal when you consider that a teenager killed four people and wounded nine others at a high school in Georgia earlier in the week.

This morning, I decided on a different approach, though.

I moved the plants and will have someone help me move the plant stand.

Afterward, I’ll put them back, repaint the plant stand, and rearrange the furniture. That’s something to look forward to.

My biggest concern was the cats. They could get out if the doorway were left open, and no one was here to close them in a bedroom. I talked to people in the office. They thought painters could do my doorframe before I left, but I haven’t heard back.

If that isn’t possible, I have three options in mind. The first is to discuss my concerns with the cat sitter and ask her to monitor progress. The second is to have the office notify me when they are ready to paint so I can tell her, and she can put them in a bedroom. The third is to put a “do not enter” sign on the door and ask the painters to return after I get back.

Having a plan makes me feel more comfortable, and taking action helps even more.

Problem solved. The painters will paint the door frame before I leave - now I feel much better.

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