From 8 to 5 or so each day, I have the privilege to work with a tremendous group of people.
With about 30 or so employees, we are small in number, but significant in influence. The work we undertake has a positive impact on nearly 2,000 companies internationally.
As it exists, our work environment is male-dominated. Ninety percent of our staff is men, and it creates a certain culture, particularly since every individual is entrepreneurial, driven, vision focused and committed. It also just so happens that we all get along really well. It’s a great place to work.
Our shared personality traits make for a dynamic work environment where we focus corporately on the task and hand, and we also have a lot of fun.
And, on a fairly frequent basis, we have some pretty intellectual conversations.
At mid-morning yesterday, one of my bosses, an intellectual, worldly and thoughtful man, handed me a daft letter he’d composed as a letter to the editor for our local newspaper. Seems my boss had become (I’ll use the word disillusioned) with the media coverage of the Trayvon Martin case, and the inflammatory nature of its portrayal, particularly in the television broadcast arena. It pushed him to his tipping point, enough so, that he took time out of his day to communicate his utter frustration.
And for what it’s worth, I agree with him.
The news stresses us out.
Just last week I read three local newspaper accounts of a local police chief charged with sexual assault of a minor, a pastor from my hometown who had kidnapped and assaulted a minor, and another law enforcement official 10 miles down the road involved in an internal department scam. A bloodpressure spike is a great way to start the day.
How does a news junkie like me control the natural tendency to stress over the news and its impact on my local community.
Later in the morning, I had lunch with another work colleague. We often talk about our life’s journey, the challenges we face, and give encouragement to one another to keep moving forward.
As we talked about the news, he shared an interesting experience.
Years ago, he said, a study in which he was engaged suggested a weeklong “news fast.”
His study indicated that a morning dose of the daily news, with all its negativity, hype and hoopla could subconsciously get our day off to the wrong start.
It can mean the difference between being outwardly impacted, or inwardly focused.
Isn’t that interesting.
I’ve always felt a need for the news. For many years, it’s been my livelihood. The need to be informed, is crucial, I’ve thought.
Or is it?
I’m thinking about taking a break from the breaking news.
This will be interesting.
I hear ya.