More data has been produced in the last two years than all of the data produced throughout our documented history.
I know that’s hard to believe, but when you consider that we are all living during the Information Age, I suppose that it makes what I just shared a bit more digestible.
Just think about it…
There are SO many data wells to pull from:
Oh…and don’t let forget WorldStarHipHop.com!
With so many attractive options, it’s likely that plenty of us spend many of our valuable hours exploring our media channels, while the things that really matter go unattended and sometimes slip away.
Things like our relationships.
Things like our dreams.
Things like our goals and aspirations.
Things like our moments…you know…those once in a life time moments we miss because we were looking at something on our smart phone.
Now don’t get me wrong. Media isn’t all bad. In fact, that’s probably how you found this blog post. I believe social media is a wonderful development, however too much of any one thing can become a problem.
So to help us all, I’ve identified 5 ways to help you successfully manage your media:
1. Know your limit.
Unfortunately, regardless of how shocking, funny, informative or helpful the information you find see on your media channels maybe, you can’t see it all.
You can’t see every news feed.
You can’t see every picture.
You can’t see every tweet.
You can’t watch every video.
You can’t watch every show.
Since you can’t see it all, it’s a mistake to even try.
Set a media threshold for each day.
An example would be 1 hour of media, per day during the week, and 4 hours for the weekend.
Just remember, media includes television too, so be sure to set realistic thresholds and stick to them.
2. Know your vision.
Visionary leaders have their own visions. So you have to be careful how much TELL-A-VISION you watch, or eventually your vision will be the vision you’ve been told to have!
What are you up to?
Do your media habits align with your goals and ambitions?
Are you using your media outlets as a tool to source your endeavors, or are the media outlets using you?
I don’t know about you, but Olivia Pope hasn’t put any money in my pockets!
On the other hand Kerry Washington is getting paid very well for you to watch her play Ms. Pope.
Who’s fulfilling whose vision here. (IJS)
3. Find a media mentor.
How much time do you think Oprah Winfrey spends listening to Beyoncé Knowles? She might check out a song, but you can be for sure she doesn’t listen all day! How do I know that? I know this because of her output. If all she listened to was Beyoncé, then all she would talk about would be Beyoncé.
It’s that simple.
Tell me your inputs and I can predict your outputs?
A few years ago, I downloaded a bunch of Earl Nightingale’s talks on success. I listened to his talks everyday. I listened on the way to work, and on the way home from work. Then I listened to his talks at home.
I made Earl Nightingale my media mentor purposely, because I wanted to know everything he had to say about being successful.
What do you want to know?
Who should you media mentor be?
4. Know your priorities.
I’ve been guilty of perusing Facebook as soon as I wake up in the morning. More than likely, you have too. There’s something about having messages and notifications that make Facebook seem like a top priority.
Truth is, Facebook should only be a priority for one guy, and that’s Mark Zuckerberg. Despite that fact, this young man has somehow tipped the scales of what matters most, to some of us.
It might be time we all paid more attention to the real priorities we have in this journey called life.
What are your top ten priorities this week?
What are your top ten priorities this month?
What are your top ten priorities this year?
I’ll make a blind bet that they don’t include loosing time on mindless media.
5. Know your media
All media carries with it a message. What is your media telling you?
That song you love so much…
What is it really saying or suggesting?
Does that suggestion line up with what you want to do and how you want to live?
Maybe your media isn’t suggesting anything at all but a laugh. That’s fine, just remember a mind that is constantly entertained, becomes a lazy and passive mind.
Control your media!
If you control your media, you can control your mind!
If you control your mind, you control your world!
The great people we admire know this…you should too!
Please let me know how this list works for you and if you have additional suggestions feel free to leave them in a comment.
Until next week…stay inspired, it’s lifestyle choice!
About the Author:
Linal Harris
Global Entrepreneur – Certified Life Coach – Media Personality – Speaker
Linal Harris is a global entrepreneur, certified life coach, author, and media personality. As the founder of Inspirational Perspective® Publishing, LLC and Insights 4 Life™ Coaching, LLC, Harris challenges his global audience and coaching clients to Murder Mediocrity® and live their best life possible. Harris concentrates his work as an ontological coach with clients on what he calls the 4 pillars of life; the relationship we have to ourselves, the relationships we have with others, our relationship to work and money, and the connection we have to our spirit and life’s purpose. Harris coaches CEO’s, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes and celebrities. Harris is the author of “Slay Your Goals”, where he provides his readers with scientific and research backed tips for achieving their goals. Harris is an expert goal-setter and has been called upon by Fortune 500 companies to assist with setting their strategic priorities, facilitate goal-setting sessions and provide inspirational talks.
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