A Different Kind of Diet

People love the new year because it brings hopes of new beginnings and change for the better. Diets always top the lists as people seek ways to look and feel better, and they know the way to do is to change what food they are eating. Athletes understand that if they want to get to the next level, their training must include changing the fuel they put in their body.

Why is it we have to much trouble understanding that our growth-or stagnation- as a person is tied to what we ingest intellectually, spiritually, creatively, emotionally? What are you feeding on in these areas? When you are not feeding on proper food, you will not develop in these areas. You might need to change your diet. Do you persistently have trouble managing conflict in your relationships? Functioning well in times of crisis? Solving problems? How is your creativity?

If answering these questions is painful, perhaps you need to look at what and who you are watching, listening and reading. These activities too often cause passivity and foggy thinking. Think back to the fall of 2008 and early 2009. I had several clients who experienced intense anxiety and fear, even depression. Their thought life had been influenced by what they were hearing, watching and reading. Critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems were slowly eroding as negative thoughts and emotions took over. How do you think this impacted their organizations?

We all agree that there is nothing more mind numbing than television which is exactly why many people watch. Nielsen reports adults now watch an average of 35 hours every week. What effect is this having on our ability to think, discern or make good decisions? Do you think that this is having an effect in our workplace?

Why don’t you unplug? What could you do in those 5 hours a day that could be beneficial to you, your family or your community? How could you grow and change for the better by growing spiritually or improving your thinking skills.

I challenge you to evaluate what you are ingesting: what you are reading, what you are listening to, and what you are watching. The old GIGO still applies today (garbage in…)
Make a quality decision to become an active thinker again instead of plopping down in front of the telly. See the positive difference that happens when you change your diet.

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