Risk & Business Magazine General Insurance Services Spring 2020 | Page 11

CULTURE begins to play. Your self-talk will begin to either support you or bring you down. Most people, when presented with an opportunity or fresh idea, will begin to shoot it down and come up with a list of reasons why it can’t be done, it may not work, or it is simply “too risky.” With the rapid changes in the economy and world of work, many of the old rules of engagement and thinking need to be thrown out the door. The glaring problem most people have in the pursuit of their inner genius— and I base this on how few people within society are living fully engaged and on purpose—is that their inside and outside mental programming causes them to focus and default back to worst case scenarios over and over. Sadly, they often have no idea they’re even doing it. Deflecting opportunities is a horrible habit to possess. Buried below the layers of negative behavior and programming, opportunity is sadly a foreign word in most people’s vocabulary. I believe that fear is the silent, yet #1, enemy to most people on their journey to a life of significance. It’s a convenient and comfortable trick of the mind which sets up the next dangerous habit known as excuse making. Fear and excuse making are closely linked together. shape public opinion. The old adage in media rooms of “If it bleeds, it leads” has taken over and dominated most news outlets. It’s simply amazing to watch how news has been twisted into not only gossip and entertainment but also a forum to complain, plant fear, and focus much more time than should be allowed on what’s wrong with society and rarely on what we’re doing well. As I move in and out of airports, I occasionally catch fellow travelers (aka: zombies) glued upward watching the TV for the daily debate, “situation,” protest, or latest idiotic high-speed chase being covered from a chopper in the air high above a major city. Many also rotate between the large screens above and the smaller ones they hold in the palm of their hands. Most of these folks do not look excited or happy as they view the visual parade of fear and human stupidity attempting to take over their time and more importantly their mind. It’s not uncommon to see many shaking their head or mumbling under their breath with disgust. With the 2020 American election coming up in full-swing and the countless fear-based ads trying to hook our minds, I’m going to look at the first primary fear peddler, the media, and put them on the hot seat. When I’m teaching groups or meeting with retainer clients, I advise them that ignoring the media and its influence is foolish. Who do you want educating your customers and prospects? You or them (the media)? This is an easy answer, but many firms do little if any “counter-programming” to ensure that they have a voice and educate their customers. There are always two sides to every story, and you must aggressively make positive publicity a part of your marketing and promotional efforts. Now, with social media, blogs, and email, it’s easier than ever to position against the fear- peddling media and share what best puts you, your company, your industry, or your key message in a positive light. Balance is required. This should be an obvious one, yet far too many people diminish the media’s influence on the mind-set and ability to Defend your time and mind carefully when allowing the media to influence you or your customers. Yes, whether THE THREE PRIMARY FEAR PEDDLERS YOU MUST BE ON GUARD TO DEFEND FROM STEALING YOUR MIND AND YOUR INNER GENIUS 1. The media 2. Your associations 3. The marketplace we like it or not, they do influence a lot of opinion, and more times than not, it’s built on controversy, hype, and bottom line: fear. It’s a smart idea to have your own game plan ready and share it often to counter the fear and present the other side of the story as well. + Tony Rubleski is the bestselling creator of the Mind Capture book series. He is also an in-demand keynote speaker, strategic business coach, and global event promoter. His work has been featured in various media outlets ranging from Bottom Line Magazine, The Detroit Free Press, the FOX TV network, ABC, to CNN Radio, NPR and Entrepreneur Magazine Radio. MindCaptureGroup.com. *Reprinted with Permission 11