Everyday we are bombarded with bad news from the media—gas prices, casualty reports from the war, natural disasters, crime…the list seems endless. Add to that our own perplexities, then stir in the unhappiness and anxiety of friends and acquaintances, and we have a receipt for a negative outlook and discouragement.
The question is not how can we avoid such “bad news”, rather it is how can we counteract it in a way that, while recognizing the negatives still allows us to live hope-filled, vibrant lives. Obviously, we must first distinguish between the things we can and cannot control, deal with the things we can change or control and as one wise man said, “tell God about the things we can’t control and move on.”
Beyond that, here are three simple suggestions to help off-set the “bad news” and help us become more optimistic and fulfilled in our daily lives.
First, tell yourself all the “good news” you can think of, not all the bad news you can come up with. Let me illustrate. I’m writing this on Monday morning (Memorial Day). I just got back to my office after doing a live interview on KTUL Channel 8 in Tulsa. During the interview I had planned to recognize three people whose efforts contributed to the success of a project. I managed to work in one person, but then the interviewer took off in an unexpected direction. Time ran out before I could mention the efforts of the other two. As I left the studio, I began second guessing myself (“bad news broadcasing”)—trying to figure out how I could have honored all three. Then it dawned on me, the interview went well, the main message was conveyed and I couldn’t change things. THAT’S GOOD NEWS!!! I hadn’t embarrassed the organization I was representing, myself or the station! When you think you have “bad news” for yourself, tell yourself the good news about the situation!
What’s some other good news you can tell yourself? What about successes you had recently? How about what you can do based on your ability and experience? And of course, you can also remind yourself of the things you have going for you (education, experience, goals, ideas, faith, etc). When you feel overwhelmed with “bad news” take an inventory of all the good news, review it, relish it and you will experience a renewal of optimism and a revitalization of spirit.
But don’t just keep the good news to yourself. Other people are experience the “bad news blues” too. Why not remind them of some good news about themselves? How? Try recognizing their big and little accomplishments. Drop them a note of appreciation, encourage them by talking up their potentials.
Finally, look for ways to turn “bad news” to your advantage. F.W. Woolworth began his retail career as a store clerk. One day, the owner of the store had a clearance sale and Woolworth was impressed by the fact that everything sold out quickly. Inspired, he scrapped together enough capital to open the first 5 & 10 cent store—eventually his idea led to a chaine of almost 700 stores. But when he first opened, a store owner down the street from him, fearing he’d lose business took out ads emphasizing the fact that he had been in business for fifty years and that people could trust his merchandise—in other words, don’t do business with this new store.
Instead of letting the “bad news” that this formidable, established, well financed competitor planned to play hard ball dissuade him, F.W. Woolworth took out ads that said, “Yes, we are a new store…BUT that means our merchandise is all brand new.” Needless to say, this won the day and the rest, as they say is retail history.
So the next time “bad news” begins to wear you down—tell yourself all the good news about yourself you can think of, look for good news about others you can share with them, and when necessary turn bad news into good news! These simple steps can and will change your approach to life’s bad news and create a more positive, hope-filled attitude.
Have a GREAT and PROFITABLE week!
Robert Hidde
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