Political Stinking Thinking

I watched the Republican debate, the one they had just before the 2016 New Hampshire voting. It was sensational, especially when Chris Christie started to tear down Marco Rubio with his “you only repeat pre-scripted phrases” comments. I believed that Marco’s weak response was going to kill all Iowa momentum he had built. Of course I watched all candidates, and soon started a game to find out how they would lie by omission in their next answer, as that seems to be a very common tactic uses by all politicians from all political views. The world of politics seems to be one of one liners and sound bites, presenting an extreme simplistic and often twisted version of the truth.

Later I started wondering about what my Facebook friends would start to post. Those that are brave, or stupid enough to post their more and more extreme political views, in more and more demeaning one picture insults about the opposing party or politician, not caring about any consequences.

“Do you really believe that you are immune to that draining negative energy field of Anger, Fear and Anxiety?”

Consequences abound, and more than you think. Since this is a business coaching blog aimed at business owners, let’s just focus on the influence of getting involved with the dirt throwing, making other views ridiculous looking and fear, anger and anxiety provoking world of American politics of 2016.

First consequence: I know of people who told me they avoid doing business with certain local businesses, because of their, and I quote, ‘extremist political views’.  I don’t believe for one minute that the like minded people who might do extra business with you because of your similar views will make up for that loss.

Second consequence, something that hit me with a blinding flash when I thought about the debate I just watched: The energy was negative. Sensational, but negative. Just as the energy that I see in almost every political post on Facebook is negative. Do you really believe that you are immune to that draining negative energy field of Anger, Fear and Anxiety?

I have a client who always had the news running on the background. One of the more polarized news stations. Each time when I showed up for a coaching session she would ask what I was thinking about another scandalous development that was showing that America was going down the drain. At one point I sensed she was becoming so depressed that she even wondered if it made sense to grow the business, because ‘other people would all come and take it away’. That is when I asked her to for one month stop, and ban all political talk and television out of her life, and replace it with something positive. “You are getting wound up about things you cannot do anything about” I said. “Just do your civil duties and vote, but ignore them. Nothing you can do, politicians will be politicians. But this negative energy is killing your drive to become better.”
To my surprise she agreed, and instilled the ban. Some radio station with positive pop and rock songs would be the background wallpaper from then on.
I wonder if it is coincidence that she would become one of the top contenders for the ‘Most Improved Business Profits” award that I assign to one of our clients each year. The ban on destructive media exposure was never revoked…

“Stinking Thinking”

Zig Ziglar always kept repeating: “stop the stinking thinking” and “You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.”
Stop the energy drain. Stay away from the political circus, especially on Facebook. To be successful, surround yourself with positive people, and positive thoughts.

• René Hollebrandse