A Radical Change
About four years ago, I committed to a radical change in my life.
At the time I was very interested in politics and followed every move our leaders made in Washington, DC. I watched TV news, listened to talk radio and read many of the blogs available on the subject. It was a major part of my life every day. I wanted to know what was happening and how it was going to effect my life. How would it effect the lives of my family and friends?
Around the same time, I was running a residential architecture firm in full “survivor mode” and growing this blog in the early days of its rebirth as a platform dedicated to inspiring small firm architects to build better businesses.
It was a very stressful period of my life and I need to do something about it.
If I wanted to succeed in business and in life; as an entrepreneur, as an architect, as a husband and a dad, I needed to focus. I was granted only 168 hours each week, no more and no less. How I chose to use those precious few hours would determine my success and my future.
Setting a New Standard
I set a new standard in my life. If there was something that was worrying me or adding to my already stressful life… and I had no direct control over that thing, I needed to remove it. Why would I spend time, effort and brainpower on anything not within my control? If I redirected those hours to things that made my life better and helped to improve the lives of others, what then could I accomplish?
My obsession with politics was the first to go. An all-out addiction to news media negatively effected my life in so many ways. It added to my stress, it frustrated me and it took away precious hours of my day. Those are hours that I could never recover. Regardless of how happy, sad or angry I became over the mess I saw in my government, there was nothing I could do to change any of it (except to vote in every election). None of my attention to these issues could directly effect the success I experienced in my own personal life.
News media has become so dependent on ratings that we are only presented news on events that will make us angry or sad. The 24 hour news cycle requires that airtime be filled every hour of the day. Stories that are not full of sensational, emotion-baiting content do not receive the attention required to attract prominent advertisers. This cycle is destroying the fabric of our society, dividing us and was negatively effecting me personally in my business, my leadership and my life.
So I shut it all off.
No print news. No TV media. No talk radio. No political blogs. I declared a Full Media Blackout and I never looked back.
Focus and Dedication
One of the most often asked questions of me is, “How are you running your architecture firm AND building the EntreArchitect Community?”
The answer is focus and dedication… and working two full time jobs.
Without a clear mind and an understanding that my success is only within MY own control, you wouldn’t be reading this blog today. If I had not made the decision to shut out the noise and get to work on building a powerful, purposeful project, EntreArchitect would not exist.
You can’t make a difference in the world by focusing your attention on the things controlled by others.
News media is no longer intended to inform. Its purpose today is to incite. With endless sources of knowledge and information, the traditional news media is desperately grasping to survive in a world no longer interested in what they have to say.
A Challenge to You
Starting today, I challenge you to declare your own personal Full Media Blackout. No print news. No TV media. No radio news or commentary. No internet news.
I challenge you to a Full Media Blackout.
If you can’t directly control it. Turn in off. Remove it from your day. Reclaim those hours for more productive activities in your life.
Focus on the things that matter most. Take the time you spend watching, listening and worrying and apply those hours to a specific project that will improve your life and the lives of those around you.
Don’t worry… if the world comes to an end, someone will surely let you know.
I suspect that after a few weeks of abstaining from watching the ongoing “political circus,” you will feel better, you will get more done and you will achieve the success you always desired.
Question: Will you commit to a Full Media Blackout today?
Photo Credit: shutterstock / MSSA
Mark, I read with great interest your 2013 Architect- led CM services. I have finally achieved and made a soft launch of ADM Architect Design Management (at London Build 2016 last week,) – a full suite of project agreements-‘taking back control’ and arranging for this new mechanism for UK publication by the ACA (Assoc of Consultant Architects.)
It seems we share some common interests and should talk.
Kind regards, Trevor
I will commit to a full media blackout effective today…
like you, I have been addicted to reading the political news, listening to talk radio (both parties) and generally just stressed.
I have a farm and this will change how my days are structured for the better. Focusing on personal betterment may facilitate less stress/anxiety and allow for change. Thanks for the article and good luck with your firm.