I heard Brian Tracy the other night speak at one of his iLearning expos. Didn’t care for the iLearning model, but Brian still has it.
Since we preach “action”, here is the action I took after I heard him: I’ve turned off my TV.
Now, I’m not a big 4-hour-a-night-TV-guy, but I found myself watching too many news shows–how bad things are–how the world is going to explode–how we’re in a deep deep recession. All that BS.
Tracy Said, “You Control What Gets In Your Mind”
Actually, he didn’t say it quite like that (so Brian if you’re reading, I’m taking some poetic license). But he made a big point of “no one is more responsible for your future than you.” And with that comes ‘what goes into your mind.’
So I said “no more” to the news/business crap on TV. You’ll never guess what happened?
I actually felt happier this week.
I worked out more. I lost 3 pounds. I played basketball for the first time in months. I made calls that I should have made months ago. I blogged more. I spent more time with my great team. And I had a more optimistic outlook on the future of our business.
All from turning off the TV.
I encourage you to do the same. The media loves the “fear-scape” around the whole economic mess. Don’t blame ‘em. Most of them are failing out of business (Denver paper just went ‘belly-up). They’re losing so many eyeballs, they have to create fear. And they do. And they’re damn good at it. And what’s worse we get sucked into it.
Customers Rely On Your Clear Head
But a sales person is involved in a head game every hour of the day. And you and I don’t need anything going into our head – without our permission. Our customers rely on us to comfort them when making a big decision. They depend on our clear-headed thinking and being unemotional when recommending solutions to them. We can’t let them down by being dis-spirited from the news.
Take Those Hours and Spend Them Differently
So, what do you do in that open spot? Listen to podcasts on business. Read self-help books. Read books on internet marketing. Catch up with other business leaders and discuss ideas on ways to grow your business. Pick up old books on goal setting, time management, writing and marketing.
Watch what happens. Abundance reappears. Detachment gets stronger. Prospects show up. As do other opportunities. And you operate with more integrity and joy.
It’s a hard move to make. I find myself tempted. But I’m committed to the new TV-less me. Going to test it for a month or two and see what happens.
What about you? Would love to hear your comments.
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I’d like to offer a suggestive reading on this topic: “The Power of Self-Coaching” by Joe Lucianni (spelling?). He is a PhD in clinical psychology. This man’s work is very powerful. He talks about developing a habit of positive mental coaching and reinforcement. News and new stations aren’t in the “news” business, actually. They’re in the ad business. “News” is just the honey they use to glue you to the TV. The more sensational, the most gloomy, the more likely you are to “stay tuned for more after these messages.”
I actively practiced this positive self-talk technique for a period of time and something amazing happened. First the practice became a habit and second I achieved detachment from my deals and simply listened to my own coaching direct me to be excellent at all actions…results will follow. Fill buckets, chop wood, I believe?