NEGATIVE REPORT: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH IT?

We are living in a world where the media and the average person like to share and gorge on negative information. On every level, negative information is bad for your health. Even a friend, family member, or coworker who is swift to deliver bad news doesn’t mean you well. Negative information directs your attention in the wrong direction. Recently a group of researchers, including Graham CL Davey, PhD, did a study and found that negative news causes people to think and talk about their worries more. He further states that the recipients of the negative news are likely to “catastrophize on their concerns. Catastrophizing is like making mountains out of molehills.” When someone brings you bad information if you want to maintain your focus, flush it from your system immediately. Take a few minutes to “thought-block” the negative news. Let people know what information to share with you. Let them send you information that’s centered on your interest to stimulate your growth. Saul of Tarsus taught the first-century world about things to focus on which is applicable today. He encouraged the Philippians to share and to think about positive things. He said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8 KJV).