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21 years in this industry.
It's always something.
Budgets are too low. Clients are terrible. The industry is broken. AI is taking our jobs. The market is saturated. I'm a victim of my circumstances.
Every year, different excuse. Same energy.
And I'm wondering: what if in 2026 we stopped?
Complaint Culture Is Everywhere
It's easy to fall into.
You see it online. You hear it in conversations. You feel it when things don't go your way.
Someone posts about how broken the industry is. Someone else agrees. Then someone else chimes in with their own story. Before you know it, the whole feed is just people venting.
And I get it. Sometimes you need to vent. Sometimes things are legitimately frustrating.
But here's the question I keep coming back to:
Does it actually help?
Does complaining get you more work? Does it solve the problem? Does it move you forward?
Or does it just keep you stuck in the same energy, year after year?
Because here's what I've noticed: the people who complain the most are usually the ones making the least progress.
And if you're a potential client or collaborator scrolling through someone's feed and all you see is negativity? You're probably moving on.
Not because you're judgmental. But because you don't want to work with someone who's constantly frustrated.
You want to work with someone who's building. Someone who's focused on solutions. Someone who has good energy.
What If You Did the Opposite?
Here's what I'm wondering:
What if in 2026 we stopped complaining and did the opposite?
What if we spread positivity instead of frustration?
What if we talked about what we love instead of what we hate?
What if we focused on what's working instead of what's broken?
What if we shared wins instead of complaints?
I wonder what would happen after 12 months of that.
And honestly, what do you have to lose?
Being negative is easy. Anyone can complain.
Being positive? That's harder.
Do hard things. See what happens.
What This Actually Looks Like
This isn't about toxic positivity. This isn't about pretending everything is perfect.
It's about choosing where you put your energy.
And it comes down to one simple principle:
Praise in public. Correct in private.
Here are some practical ways to live that out:
Share wins.
Not just your own. Share other people's wins. Celebrate work you admire. Highlight projects that inspire you.
When you focus on what's working, you train your brain to see more of it.
Send positive messages.
Pick someone you admire. Send them a message telling them why.
No ask. No agenda. Just genuine appreciation.
You'd be surprised how much this shifts your energy. And theirs.
Educate without venting.
If something goes wrong with a client, don't post about it. Handle it professionally.
Educate them. Communicate clearly. Set better boundaries next time.
Remember: praise in public, correct in private.
Complaining publicly doesn't solve the problem. It just makes you look difficult to work with.
Focus on what you can control.
You can't control the industry. You can't control AI. You can't control what clients pay.
But you can control your energy. Your attitude. Your approach.
Write something positive every day.
Even if you're not posting on social media, write something positive on a note card every morning.
Something you're grateful for. Something you're excited about. Something that's working.
Put it somewhere you'll see it. Let it set the tone for your day.
Handle Problems Professionally, Not Publicly
When something frustrating happens, you have two choices:
Post about it online and vent to an audience.
Or handle it directly with the person involved.
One makes you feel better for five minutes. The other actually solves the problem.
Praise in public. Correct in private.
If a client doesn't understand something, educate them. They might not know the game. They might not realize what they're asking for.
Go the extra mile to make sure they understand. Communicate clearly. Set expectations.
Most problems get solved with better communication. Not public complaints.
And here's the reality: if I'm a client and I see you complaining online, true or not, I'm out. I don't have time for it.
You might be the most talented person in the world. But if your energy is negative, I'm moving on.
The Ripple Effect: What Happens When You Shift Your Energy
Here's what I've noticed about people who focus on positivity:
They attract different opportunities.
They work with better clients.
They build stronger relationships.
They feel better about their work.
Not because everything magically gets easier. But because they're not wasting energy on things they can't control.
They're focused on building. On creating. On moving forward.
And that energy is contagious.
When you show up with good energy, people want to work with you. They want to be around you. They want to support you.
When you show up with complaint energy, people avoid you.
It's that simple.
The Bottom Line
You can spend 2026 complaining about the industry.
Or you can spend it building.
You can post about what's broken.
Or you can focus on what's working.
You can blame your circumstances.
Or you can take responsibility for your energy.
Praise in public. Correct in private.
Being negative is easy. Anyone can do it.
Being positive? That's harder.
Do hard things.
The Challenge
Try it for one month.
Share wins. Send positive messages. Focus on what's working.
Write something positive every day, even if it's just for yourself.
See what happens.
This is a mirror.
If this makes you uncomfortable, look inward.
If it inspires you, get after it.
If this hit, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
See you next week.
— Chris Whitten
