September 2021 Newsletter Eliminate the negative noise
Eliminate the negative noise
“Nobody’s fault but my own” is what I remind myself whenever I find myself getting frustrated from listening to negativity.
A negative mind will never give you a positive life
I get most of my motivation from preachers and other spiritual leaders because I value their insights about how to live a productive and meaningful life. I am thankful for Dr. Curt Dodd, Rick Warren, Todd Doxson, Joel Osteen, Les Beauchamp, Doug and Matt Shada, and many others who have impacted my life; however, today I want to reference Mike O’Connell, one of my favorite pastors and a good friend from LOVE Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Mike, or “O.C.,” as everyone calls him, recently reminded us to eliminate the negativity that surrounds us today more than ever. I like to hear messages that make me think, and O.C.’s message did just that. He also pointed out that it’s never too late to build the foundation for a positive life.
Being positive in a negative situation is not naïve… it’s good leadership
As a motivational speaker I have spent years and years advising people to eliminate the negativity from their lives so they can make room for the positivity they should embrace. We all need to be reminded of ways to live the BEST life God intended for us. We will sometimes face unexpected challenges that we may not be prepared for, but we will be better equipped to handle them if we have a positive outlook and a solution-oriented attitude.
A negative thinker sees a difficulty in every opportunity, while a positive thinker sees an opportunity in every difficulty
Are you looking for ways to free yourself from negative noise so you can start living a more positive and productive life? Here are a few suggestions:
- Avoid comparing yourself to others or competing with your peers. As Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church in San Diego puts it, “People buy things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people they really don’t like.” How many times have you bought something ONLY because someone else had it? Being financially strapped can make you feel trapped in negativity.
- Stay away from social media posts that make you feel anxious or jealous. Avoid reading or listening to messages on topics that fuel anger and hate. Instead, focus on positive and uplifting messages like the ones you will find in the Van Deeb podcast!
- Distance yourself from negative people who bring you down more than they lift you up, even if they are friends or family members. As O.C. says, “What we pursue determines our growth,” so you need to surround yourself with people who positively influence your life… people you can learn from. Our time on this earth is short, so we need to use it wisely and avoid negativity at all costs. Remember that this life is not a dress rehearsal, this is the real deal… right now… right this second… and nobody has the right to destroy your peace of mind and your positive attitude. You deserve better! Remember that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
- If you’re going to watch TV, choose programs that will enhance your positive attitude or expand your knowledge. Besides watching sports and an occasional episode of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette (yes, I just admitted doing that – no judging!), I am hooked on Shark Tank. Why? Because I love everything business-related, and Shark Tank gives me new ideas that can help me to become a better businessperson. Actually, I have found that the majority of the programs on CNBC are pretty great for pro-business people.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have started my morning in a not-so-great mood but then someone has offered a positive comment or a simple smile that uplifted my mood in a split second. We should all try to have a positive effect on everyone we encounter each day.
Each of us has the God-given ability to filter out the negative noise surrounding us. Make a commitment not to spread negativity and to be the bright spot in every life you can. In today’s world, people need positivity more than ever.
If not now, then when… and if not you, then who?