Leadership Thought #327 – Avoid What’s Not Good For You
There is usually a symptom or other sign when something is not good for you.
I spoke with a colleague the other day, and they said that watching the news only depresses them and puts them in a bad mood. I asked him why he watches it then, and he said to stay connected to what’s going on in the world. Sometimes, we do the wrong things for the right reasons. There are many other ways for him to stay connected to what is happening in the world besides watching network news. If what you are doing is making you feel unhappy and/or increasing your negative stress, then maybe it’s time to make a few changes.
The news media are an easy target these days, but there are many other things people do that make them unhappy, such as:
- Letting advertisers dictate how they should feel about themselves
- Committing to fad diets that will never work for them
- Reading books they think they should read, even though they don’t understand or like them
- Drinking too much because they don’t know how else to have fun, and it’s easy to do
- Regularly treating food as a source of pleasure or reward rather than a means of sustenance
- Taking on exercise activities that don’t interest them or that are ill-suited to their physical reality
- Treating their faith as an obligation and chore rather than looking for divine inspiration, etc.
I find that when people engage in activities they do not want to do, it only makes them cranky and more stressed. Oddly enough, they often recruit others to join them in their misery. I am always suspicious when someone tries too hard to convert me to their latest fad, behavior, or perspective.
I am not saying that everything should feel good. Life does involve a certain amount of stress, hard work, and sacrifice. However, when what you are doing has the opposite effect, then something is wrong. There are only a few things we all must do to survive, such as eating, drinking, and sleeping. Most other activities are a choice. If your job is making you miserable, then find something else to do. If you have toxic relationships, find new friends. If you are practicing unhealthy lifestyle behaviors that are starting to have adverse consequences, find other healthier ways to live that work for you. “The proof is in the pudding.” If it makes you feel better about yourself physically, spiritually, emotionally, or mentally, then that is a positive sign. If it makes you feel worse, then the universe is trying to send you a message.
Avoid what’s not good for you; it’s better than the alternative!
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