“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” flowed out of the men’s restroom in the Atlanta airport early one Sunday morning many years ago.
I wasn’t happy. It was 5:00 am and I had a three and a half layover after a red-eye flight from the west coast. I had been traveling a lot and was frustrated, tired, and hangry.
With nothing better to do, I entered the restroom, but initially I didn’t see anyone. There was a line of stalls all opened and in the very last one, there he was – Mr. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He was on his hands and knees with one hand holding a brush; the other held a cleaning rag while he sang off-key and in broken English. I watched for just a moment as he did the most unpleasant of jobs – cleaning in and around the toilet.
Gulp. Sermon received.
“Thank-you so much for what you do“, I said. “Okay sir, you are very welcome!” The singing continued as I walked away.
I thought about my life. I had just stayed at an amazing resort, owned a home near the Atlantic Ocean, had an incredible job, and had a beautiful family who I would see later that morning.
If he could sing while cleaning an airport toilet, I had no right to complain.
I tried to imagine his life. Did he have any education? How was he able to support himself or a family with the minimal pay he received? Was he content to perform a “menial” repetitive task with so much joy? Was he truly happy to have a job, and did he take pride in his work?
Do you work with someone who’s always complaining—about the office, their tasks, or anything else that goes wrong?
Constant negativity not only affects the workplace energy, but it also impacts performance. I once hated a job and complained constantly—and I nearly got fired because of it.
Complaining drains creativity, teamwork, and progress. It doesn’t just affect others; it changes you.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
If you lead others, show gratitude daily. See the good—even in complainers. Help them shift their mindset, focus on their strengths, and channel their energy positively—whether in your organization or another.
In every challenge, choose to look for what’s good. With intention and energy, let go of worry…and choose happiness instead.
“Don’t worry, be happy!”
