Top of the Morning!
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
Bad news. Disappointing news. Turn on any television news channel first thing in the morning and you’ll get a giant heap of both. Open a newspaper and you’ll have your choice of tragedies from which to select. Get online and you’ll find seamingly endless sites prepared to load your head with crud. It can sometimes seem overwhelming.
However, we must keep in mind that newspapers are trying to sell newspapers, and television stations and online sites are trying to gain enough viewers to make it attractive to advertisers. They are simply living by the old axiom that bad news sells better than good news. As long as we’re willing to tune in to see or read the bad stuff, they’ll keep putting it in front of us. After all, they’re running a business.
We can’t control the news, but we can control how and when we get it. Research indicates that whatever we see, hear, or do first thing in the morning will stick in our subconscious mind for the rest of the day. Which means that if you turn on the TV when you first open your eyes in the morning and start learning of all the tragedies in the world the night before, you’ve just allowed that negative information to impact you throughout the day. There are times this comes back to us during the day as a lousy mood. There are other times this comes back to us as disengagement on the job.
The way we lead the people around us begins with the way we lead ourselves. Perhaps an adjustment of your morning routine to eliminate the input of negative information could have a positive impact on the way you lead others. Read an inspirational message. Listen to inspirational music. Determine what you want to get stuck in your subconscious mind throughout the day and do that. I believe it will make a difference. But even if it doesn’t, it will allow you to start the day without hearing about everybody else’s crud. And that, my friends, is well worth the effort.
tagged under: clint swindall.culture.employee disengagement.employee engagement.engaged leadership.personal leadership.routine.verbalocity
7 Responses to Top of the Morning!
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- Ben Ornelas :
Good Morning Clint. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed y ... - Chris Simmons :
Clint, Just curious - any chance you could have some of your material ... - Chris Simmons :
Clint, Thankyou for the great reminders and inspiration ... - Carol Anne Mabson :
"Not to do list"....Brilliant! ... - Tommy Jameson :
Interesting blog & idea to avoid time wasters. This idea came out ...
Wow Clint, you are so right!!!! We should also watch what our children’s habits are in the morning too. Help them develop good fun habits to continue thruout their life.
Clint, I took your advice and started listening to our local Catholic talk radio station in the morining. I have to say that the positive information and messages discussed on the morning show has made a difference in my mood when I get to work in the morning. Thanks for the suggestion.
Please allow me to receive “Tell Me Something Good” Newsletter. I have received several email forwards from my supervisor. You are inspirational and motivating. Keep Up The Great Work!
Thanks
Thanks! I will forward your information and have you added. All the best! Clint Swindall
I recently heard you speak at the ADM WIN Leadership conference. Can you please sign me up for your “Tell Me Somethin’ Good” Newsletter?
Thank You,
Rosezona Long
I too would like to be added to the Tell me Somethin good newsletter. If possible, please add me.
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Sarah
Really enjoyed the Mega Session I attended at SHRM! I have been on a “news fast” for over a year now and it truly has improved my life! My mother-in-law I often refer to as Miss Cup Half Empty raised a great man but he can tend toward the negative. For many years when I starts to go there I ask him “tell me something good about your day” so needless to say when I heard you say “tell me somthing good” it made me feel good! Thanks for the inspiration to continue on a positive path!
Jennifer