Stop Reading The News
As we turn the final page on the last month of the calendar year, it’s natural to look back and do a year-in-review.
The question is—what do we see?
Today, there is so much negativity all around us; it is easy to get caught in that swirl — take an around for yourself, and you’ll see.
We Have a Choice
Instead of looking at what’s wrong in the world around us … let’s choose and look for what’s right in the world!
Do that, and we go from reading and reacting to bad news to spreading and sharing our good news and accomplishments.
Suppose we let negativity convince us that the world is shrinking and the walls are caving around us. In that case, that negativity will stifle what’s good around us, demotivate us, and may eventually stop progress.
We can’t lose sight of the fact that great companies and bold leaders make their finest moves in transitory times like these. While some are paralyzed into a wait-and-see attitude, the best take action.
It’s not a response to what’s wrong — it’s a response to what it is time for.
Context is liberating, especially for leaders who actually impact others more than they may even realize.
What we perceive is how we lead: So, we need to ask ourselves: What reality are we perceiving and, more importantly, what are we projecting?
We need to be in the business of reality: It starts with accurately perceiving today’s reality — and honestly acknowledging what we cannot control. Make no mistake: Leadership is about inspiring others to believe and enabling that belief to become a reality - but it’s never optimism at the expense of realism. It’s not a question of half full or half empty, but how many ounces are in the glass!
A diet for our minds: David Dotlich, a senior leader I once worked with years ago now in Korn Ferry’s Consulting business, once told me, that neuroscience tells us that what we feed our minds can be just as important as the diet for our bodies. It’s all about what we choose — positive or negative, consciously or unconsciously. It contributes to our health and influences how we nurture and feed our colleagues, teams, and organizations.
While we can’t always change our circumstances, we can change our thoughts — and when we change our outlook in the most profound ways, suddenly, the focus becomes what we can accomplish and not what we can’t.
Turning darkness into light — is a choice. Indeed, and now THAT's news worth spreading!
...So, How are you turning darkness into light?
As always, your feedback and comments are welcome!
Thank you for reading this blog...wishing all a VERY productive week!
-Mike
Recent Comments
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Hi Mike, Great Post, it is hard to be positive when all we hear is bad news. I am in Philadelphia and it is becoming a literally a war zone because you just never know what is going to happen anymore.
But we need more love, compassion, and more positive presences in this world. People use to help each other and be unity within the community.
Mary
You are so right Mary… my nephew graduated from Temple University. I need to tell us some of the horror stories.
Stay safe
-Mike
Hi Mike, That is amazing we live in South Philadelphia and Temple is in North Philadelphia. I am familiar with Temple I just haven't gone to the school but I have been there for physical therapy.
Yes I have more stories about the area where Temple University. I don't know when your nephew graduated from Temple but it got worse in the area.
Yes Philadelphia is more of a war zone now then it was twenty years ago. But we just are as careful as we can be and we are aware in our surroundings.
Mary
Hi Mary...he graduated this past spring -- thank goodness he's out now and now living in the Boston area.
-Mike
Hi Mike, That is awesome congratulations. Yes I agree with you about he being out of here. How is doing up in Boston? I am happy that he is there.
Mary
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your inspiring message.
I agree most heartily that we don't need to read or listen to or watch the news. Most of it is false (fake news) anyway. That does nothing to help you develop new ideas and plans for your business.
May we go into the New Year charging on the wings of optimism
Bill
It’s gotten so bad that I only glance at the first 5 mins of the news and any headlines in the written media. Then if I see a storyline being carried across several mediums, then I’ll give attention - or if I know there may be a situation I need to pay attention to, but I stay away from the one sided messaging, and anything that is only spewing glum news!
I try to stay as positive as possible!
-Mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comments. I agree whole heartily--avoid the negative as much as possible.
Bill
Excellent read and nothing short of the truth!! We try to tell our 11-year-old son (LANDON) this same FACTS all the time! If you surround yourself with negativity, then you yourself will become equally negative! Once this sets in your mind you are scared to take the necessary risks to become highly successful.
I used to watch the news to stay informed on world events or heck even local ones. Now you turn it on, and you don't even have time to pour yourself a nice cup of coffee before hearing at least five negative things happening just since you went to bed the night before.
I am noticing more and more that it's the younger generation that are becoming successful. Whether it's You tube videos or something they did on a social media platform. It's almost as if the older we/they get our brains become more and more corrupted by this negativity.
Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the awesome work my good sir!
Kevin and Son
Thank you Kevin…too many of us who are older and grew up with the icons like Walter Cronkite and such were very trusting of what we heard on the evening news, then political and financial greed took over and derailed our news reporting.
Now I only glance at the first 5 mins of the news and any headlines in the written media. Then if I see a storyline being carried across several mediums, then I’ll give attention - or if I know there may be a situation I need to pay attention to, but I stay away from the one sided messaging, and anything that is only spewing glum news!
I try to stay as positive as possible!
-Mike
Here in the UK, we have exactly the same problem with the mainstream media. Quite recently a new channel was created...GB News. This station reports on things that would never be seen on established televised news (or heard on the radio). Like all reports, you have to be selective, but I know that I and many of my friends no longer believe what we are told by the stations and newspapers that have been established forever! The truth sometimes hurts, but it can also lead to positive thoughts if presented correctly. And at the end of the day, it is our choice to think for ourselves and to encourage ourselves thinking positively.
I only glance at the first 5 mins of the news and any headlines in the written media. Then if I see a storyline being carried across several mediums, then I’ll give attention - or if I know there may be a situation I need to pay attention to, but I stay away from the one sided messaging, and anything that is only spewing glum news!
I try to stay as positive as possible!
-Mike
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I love this. I believe like attracts like. Therefore I rarely follow the news. I am proud of that. I hear what I need from my closest friends. So much negativity out there bringing everyone down, I don't need that making it harder for me to do what I need to do.
It’s gotten so bad that I only glance at the first 5 mins of the news and any headlines in the written media. Then if I see a storyline being carried across several mediums, then I’ll give attention - or if I know there may be a situation I need to pay attention to, but I stay away from the one sided messaging, and anything that is only spewing glum news!
I try to stay as positive as possible!
-Mike
YESSS!
Oh yeah! Gets to the point you don’t know who to believe.
-Mike