As a hard-core information junkie, I read, listen and browse a lot of news throughout my day. Knowing what is going on is absolutely essential for me as the CEO of the Tacoma Rescue Mission. What’s happening in the state legislature, economic markets, and larger social trends all affect the work we do here in one way or another. I read two newspapers a day, The News Tribune and Wall Street Journal, and read numerous other articles on twitter and the internet. In addition I watch some news programs like Charlie Rose.
I say all that just to prove that I’m not someone who advocates putting your head in the sand and pretending that nothing is going on in the world around you. Quite the opposite! Everyone should make a habit of being connected and interested in the world around you. Read, watch, and contribute to the daily battle around you.
But this weeks coverage of the Swing Flu pandemic is yet another example of why you CANNOT allow your emotions to be controlled by media coverage of events. I’ve seen normally rational people dive head-first into the deep end of the “panic” swimming pool after hearing the accumulative affect of the news media’s coverage of this illness.
The number 1 product for sale today in the media is PANIC!!!!! But it’s not just the Swing Flu, it’s the economy, bankers, drugs, crime, pop culture, you name it. The world at large is driven by sensational stories and media and political leaders in particular seek to break through the clutter of news by whipping up more panic and being the first one to “own” the subject.
The affect on people is a more pessimistic and negative approach to real problems. Just when we should be thinking of solutions and possibilities we are knocked one peg lower by more bad news.
Here’s the solution:
1. Be skeptical of “Doomsday” news. News media sells ad space by leading with “worst ever” and “It’s all over” type stories. Bad things do happen, but if you critical follow the media for long you’ll notice that “it’s all over” doesn’t mean it’s necessarily “all over”. Things get better too, that just doesn’t make news.
2. Surround yourself with positive people. It’s hard to have perspective when you are close to a problem so you need people around you who can help you see the upside and potential solutions to your challenges. It won’t be hard to find negative people…they’re everywhere. But you’ll have to work to find positive people. Want a clue where to look? Go to places where people are in action, doing great things. Churches, Gyms, Community Centers, libraries, public markets, etc. That’s why the Tacoma Rescue Mission is such a positive place…we’re actively trying to solve problems that are holding people back.
3. Always look for the positive. Guiding the Tacoma Rescue Mission, I see my share of Super-sized problems; homelessness, abuse, drug abuse, abusive parents, prostitution, etc. Nevertheless, I can tell you that I’ve never seen a problem that could not be solved with faith, effort and the right people working toward a common goal. Unfortunately, many people never even try to solve their problems, they just complain about them.
You’ll never know if your problem can be solved if you just throw up your hands and give up.
