Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Jan 08, 2010

Adam rated it:

This is an amazing book...on many levels. Its simple and repetitive but then again so is life; well at least the repetitive part. This was one of those 'I am not the sam person and don't look at life/things/people the same way after reading it. I experience things and "think" about them differently...in a good way! I recommend this to anyone who feels that they are ready to be aware........of....well, the title would suggest complaining but it does somehow bring to light so many ot More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 09, 2008

Heather rated it:

I picked up this book because I love the idea (and unfortunately I'm a complainer - but is that me complaining about being a complainer? I guess I should switch my wristband again!).

I thought the book was super-easy/quick to read and I am trying to follow it (1 week without a complaint free day so far - it looks like I'm on track for the average 4-8 months to go 21 days without complaining). I do think it's a great concept and I'm going to stick with it.

Outside of More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 29, 2008

Michelle rated it:

I loved this book -- thanks Suzanne! The premise of this book is that our thoughts determine the quality of our lives, our words reflect what we are thinking. By controlling our words and avoiding complaints, criticism, or gossip we improve the quality of our lives. The challenge is to go 21 consecutive days without complaining, criticizing, or gossiping. The book came with a purple plastic bracelet that you wear and change wrists every time you catch yourself saying something negative. It' More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 10, 2009

Julie rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 02, 2011

Debbie rated it:

While I was hiking Mt. Leconte in TN 6 years ago, I noticed that my friend had on a purple bracelet. I asked her about the bracelet and that is when I became familiar with this book. It may have taken me 6 years to get a copy, but I have been painfully aware of times when I am complaining since that hike! Author Will Bowen challenges the reader to go 21 consecutive days without complaining, gossiping or criticizing. He talks of the negative energy transferred to others from such talk. Such More...

4 comments like

Dec 16, 2010

Alora rated it:

The message in this book is amazing and gets 5 stars. The writing would get less but....

...the author is not a writer. He is a man who had something amazing happen in his life and in the lives of those around him. It grew bigger than their community and so he wrote it down to share it with even more people. With that in mind I found the book, writing flaws and all, even more real and compelling.

I have started wearing a bracelet on my wrist. My first thought was, "Ho More...

1 comment like

Sep 20, 2011

Ellen rated it:

I love this idea! The basic idea is to eliminate complaining, criticizing and gossip from our daily activities. It is a simple idea that can have a far-reaching positive impact on our lives and those around us. Much of what is written has been said before (power of attraction, positive energy, ripple effect, focus on gratitude for what you have instead of discontent with what you don't have, etc.) I do like the way the author writes and presents the ideas and the personal stories he shares. This More...

0 comments like

Jun 30, 2009

Bookscmc rated it:

I couldn't put this book down, read it straight through for an average of 3-4 hours. Put it down only to write a few quotes down etc.

Couldn't help but wonder out of curiosity how Mr. Bowen would write an entire book on the topic of 'stop complaining.' I was delightfully entertained with a few stories and the whole idea of wearing a wrist band as a reminder to stop complaining, intrigues me. I've ordered my own purple wrist band to give it a shot. I, too, need improvement in this More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jun 21, 2011

Rachel rated it:

I have just started reading this. I am still using a rubber band and not the snazzy purple bracelet, although I have ordered one. It is pretty amazing the number of times a day that I complain, criticize or gossip. I am wearing out rubber bands like crazy. But I am still a beginner. All will be well and all will be well and all will be well.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Aug 26, 2010

Sarah rated it:

I give the message of this book 5 stars, but the actually book only about 2 stars. Basically, this book could have been summarized in a pamphlet, it was essentially explained to the reader in the introduction. The rest of the book contained stories from the author and others who had tried and failed, and tried and tried and tried... and succeeded at the 21 day challenge.

Even since beginning this book, I've been catching myself when I complain, and now that I am finished with this b More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 12, 2007

Erin rated it:

I don't think I'll ever go as far as wearing a purple bracelet on my wrist and attempting a full 21 days without complaining. But it does make you more aware of how much you complain, and starts your mind reframing things. It has already made me a more positive/aware person. Quick read, too.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 15, 2011

Alba rated it:

Not to be complaining, but I really get annoyed when self-help books go on and on for chapters and chapters before they ever get to the point. Fortunately, I did not have to complain about A Complaint Free World because it was a shorter book and got to the point right away and then just encouraged you throughout the rest of the book and gave you examples. It was pleasant reading and I finished it rather quickly. I think that the idea of how to become "complaint free" is practical, yet More...

0 comments like

Dec 30, 2009

Vicky rated it:

There are many good books on the power of positive thinking, on the law of attraction, on the creation of our own reality by our thoughts. They are all important in one way or another and while reading them it is so easy to believe that you can change yourself and apply the new philosophy to the everyday life. Unfortunately, after putting them down it is normal to return back to unconscious impulses, negativity and complaints. You need to read them again and again to remind how to be in a right More...

0 comments like

Oct 14, 2008

Marie rated it:

We reviewed this at our book club in September. It is amazing to understand how many times we complain about things, and a wonderful opportunity to stop! Your life will be much sweeter when you learn to stop complaining about everything!! Try it!

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 23, 2011

Helen rated it:

In A Complaint Free World Kansas City Pastor Will Bowen describes how his parishioners have changed their lives through the simple act of not complaining. They use bracelets that they slip from wrist to wrist when they catch themselves voicing negative thoughts to remind themselves of the impact of their words.

After describing how the movement began, Bowen’s parishioners provide testimonial of how becoming complaint free has affected their lives. Fans of Byrne’s The Secret will find More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 03, 2011

Cassi rated it:

I'm giving the 21 days complaint-free a shot; I imagine that it will take me a decent amount of time to go that long. I think that the premise of the book - the challenge - is good. I didn't enjoy a distinctly The Secret vibe that I got from the book; we are our thoughts, the Universe sends us what we send out, illness is energy, and so forth. I also would have appreciated the author citing more than one (ten year-old) study to support his claims. This was self-help at its woo-iest.
More...

1 comment like

Aug 18, 2011

caty rated it:

This is an interesting concept: stop complaining and you will be more optimistic and happier. To enforce it, Bowen offers a bracelet to essentially train ourselves to quite complaining. Simply, every time you complain you have to move a bracelet from one arm to the other. This will make you more aware of how frequently you complain and encourage you to do so less.

I have started on the challenge and it’s difficult. But I believe he has a point. If we constantly express the negative, where is ther

More...

0 comments like

May 06, 2008

Renee rated it:

I saw the author, WIll Bowen, on the Today show being interviewed. I was fascinated by his concept of trying to maintain a habit of NOT COMPLAINING. A few points in the book I found inspirational were:

"IS the complaining competition something you want to win? Then fine, go ahead and gripe 'til everyone else gives in declaring you the greatest complainer in the world. This victory comes with prizes such as unhappy relationshipslrife with melodrama, health challenges,money worries More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 18, 2009

Marty rated it:

So, I started this book today 8/4/07.

The book challenges each reader to stop complaining, criticizing and gossiping for 21 days- the amount of time it takes to break a habit. Most readers find that it takes them 4-8 months to complete the challenge. The author suggests that you wear a bracelet or carry a token in your pocket at all times, when you catch yourself in a complaint, you simply move the bracelet or token to the other side. Apparently, the physical act of making yourself awa More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 27, 2009

Bella is currently reading it

i think the book is talking about a very simple theory,that is you can get what u want!when u begin to complain,the things u want will be away from u.Since i bought this book in China,it's in Chinese edition.I don't think the translation is good.Maybe after i finish it,i will read the English edition.
Actually,i think that as a student in this modern world,we have known many of the theories,the differences between human beings are whether you will apply them to your daily life~~~

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 20, 2009

Amy rated it:

This is the book that goes along with the complaint-free world challenge(Purple bracelets). The idea is to stop complaining, criticizing, and gossiping. You move your bracelet to another wrist every time you complain and you try to go 21 days without moving it. Then you have formed a habit. The book is really helpful if you do want to attempt this challenge. But warning- it is hard!! I think it is such a worthwhile exercise to realize how our thoughts and words affect us. This book has some More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 03, 2011

Carolyn rated it:

Short and easy to read. Many of the concepts are repeats of those I've seen in Eckart Tolle and other's writing and there was a bit much of first world, "You create your destiny with your thoughts" idealism. Maybe I do, to an extent, but try telling that to the Haitians and Rwandans!
I am inspired to give it a try though and ordered 10 bracelets... If anyone else is interested

0 comments like

Jun 18, 2008

Lauren rated it:

I gave it two stars because the actual book itself is not that interesting and I was actually looking forward to reading it and I was disappointed.

But the message from the book is great and one that I am struggling to change my attitude and health by: Quit Complaining!

If I tell someone about something that irritates me or made me mad and they have no way of helping me, then I have hurt them and myself. I have wasted both of our times and produced negative energy. The More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 06, 2010

Jake rated it:

I greatly enjoyed this book, and think that its message is very powerful and effective, but a lot of this book has been cribbed from Eckhart Tolle, Don Miguel Ruiz, and other new age/law of attraction teachers. I honestly expected more Christianity in this book, as the author is a pastor.

It's a wonderful idea, and I support it greatly, but the book is middling.

0 comments like

Jul 24, 2009

Debbie (Readerbuzz) rated it:

A simple idea that is difficult to actually accomplish: Go twenty-one
days without complaining, criticizing, or gossiping.

My husband said, "How can you do that and stay married to me?!" A
friend said, "We won't have anything to talk about!"

I'm three days into the challenge and I've moved my rubber band
hundreds of times; I will not give up, nevertheless.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 20, 2009

Jody rated it:

Pastor Will Bowen wrote this tiny powerful book in response to Edwene Gaines' book about prosperity. I'm an owner of a worn out purple bracelet and I plan on putting a fresh one back on... read the book to find out why.
This link used to let you listen to his sermon introducing the concept, I'm not sure it is still available. http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 05, 2010

Ann rated it:

This book has inspired me to become aware of my own short-comings. The author has a positive way of handling a topic many of us do not want to apply to ourselves. I want to try his challenge to live 'complaint free', but I have found myself to be more complaining than I would have ever believed. I recommend it to anyone sesking personal improvement.

0 comments like

Nov 08, 2011

Jon rated it:

he discusses how the words you speak greatly shape your outlook on life, and therefore by eliminating complaints one will become a much happier person. he discusses a simple method (that apparently has become pretty popular) for stopping complaining, which is effective particularly because it helps the person realize how much he complains.

0 comments like

Aug 14, 2011

Vicki rated it:

Helpful in raising awareness of how much negativity a person can generate. This book is written by a minister, but he does a good job of keeping the text rather secular. I appreciate the heads-up that this book has given me and am trying to be more positive in my interactions. I believe this book could be helpful to anyone.

0 comments like

Jan 22, 2009

Melody added it

I really enjoyed this book. And for a few days I tried to quite complaining. :) It really showed me how much complaining I do in a day and I will need to have it on continual rotation on my reading list for awhile before I'll be able to go a whole 21 days w/o complaining. Twenty-one minutes is hard enough!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

reviews