Stop Watching The News – Bob Diamond
Hello everyone, Bob Diamond here.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant barrage of negative news on TV and social media, you're not alone. Today, I want to dive into why the news can be detrimental to your mindset and what you can do to break free from this cycle.
We've all been there – waiting in line at the supermarket, having dinner with friends, or even stuck at a traffic light – and we instinctively check the news. More often than not, it leaves us with a sinking feeling, creating a sense of pessimism, anxiety, and cynicism. But why does this happen?
To understand this, let's take a brief detour to 1971, when famous Hollywood director Frank Capra published his autobiography, “The Name Above The Title.”
This book not only chronicled his journey from a Sicilian immigrant family to a celebrated director but also shed light on the inner workings of entertainment. Capra’s insights into filmmaking – avoiding boredom, sensationalism, and evoking gut reactions – surprisingly mirror how the modern news cycle operates.
This brings us to the concept of ‘infotainment.’
Today's news isn’t just about informing; it's about keeping the audience engaged and entertained, often for profit. The downside? It handpicks extreme stories and images to grab our attention, often under the guise of “Breaking News.” This sensationalism taps into our negativity bias, making us more likely to pay attention to fear-inducing content.
The news often focuses on the most extreme events from around the world, giving a skewed view of reality. Much like empty calories, news can be full of drama and speculation, offering little in terms of valuable content.
Worse still, with the need to continuously produce content, news outlets often prioritize quantity over quality.
This constant exposure to a non-stop horror show of a collection of the word’s tragedies can shape our worldview negatively, making us more suspicious, angry, and unhappy. It also distracts us from focusing on our personal goals and growth.
Political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin once suggested news should be used for support, not illumination. The idea is to selectively engage with news that adds value to your life. If something truly important happens, trust you will find out.
How You Can Stop Watching The News
So what can you do?
Well, here’s a start.
Set filters. One of the critical skills of modern life is deciding what information is worth your time and what information shouldn’t be dealt with. The world’s most capable entrepreneurs, CEOs and powerhouses have all developed some form of filtering system to decide what information needs to be dealt with.
You should do the same.
Start by organizing your news consumption based on what’s important and relevant to you.
Limit your alerts. You should disable notifications that aren’t critical. This reduces distractions and helps you focus on what matters.
Designate specific times to catch up on news, rather than constantly checking throughout the day. This puts you in control of your information intake.
Redirect your focus. Once you reduce the time spent on news, you’ll find more mental space to focus on what's truly important. Whether it’s improving your health, tackling financial goals, or starting that business you’ve always dreamed of, you’ll have more energy and clarity to pursue these objectives.
Remember, being constantly plugged into the news cycle doesn’t necessarily make you more informed or prepared. It's about finding the right balance – staying informed without letting sensationalism and negativity hijack your mindset. Be selective, be mindful, and most importantly, be proactive in using your time and mental energy for constructive purposes.
If you're interested in learning more about turning your attention into success, particularly in the realm of overages and financial growth, check out my other posts. I aim to provide you with actionable and positive content that can truly make a difference in your life.
Remember, it's your journey and your mindset that dictates your path. Choose wisely what you feed it. Stay healthy, stay happy, and until next time, this is Bob Diamond, wishing you success, love, and joy in your life.
