I have noticed a trend in recent times. As I researched it and interviewed others, it became apparent that this trend is not new and it most certainly is not a trend. It has occurred for so long that it surpasses a mere trend and into a deep rooted behavior. What is it that I refer to? People listening to the negative aspect of things even though the evidence is almost insurmountable in the opposite direction. Let me give you an example.

I have a friend who is a very successful entrepreneur and business man. He worked his way up from nothing into the great success (both personally and professionally) that he is today. He speaks to audiences of all sizes to teach them the knowledge that took him a few decades to learn. He has positively impacted my life and the lives of thousands of others. If you do a search of his name on the internet, you will not find one derogatory word. He keeps company with pillars of industry and some of the most successful people in the United States. By all accounts, this is the type of individual that you would want to call a friend.

Since knowing this individual, I have heard some people tell him to his face that they wanted to collaborate and work with him but call him a fraud behind his back. He is an educator and what he teaches has worked for thousands upon thousands of people who have applied his teachings. I have heard individuals call him a crook or a scam artist. He charges for some of his courses. But, by in large, most of his education he actually does on his own dime at no cost to attendees. By the end of some of his seminars, he has spent thousands and the return he receives are thank yous. He expects no more than this. This all sounds horrible. Do you know what the worst part is? A few negative, unscrupulous few try to spread their infection to the masses. The worst part, some of the masses believe it.

That is what baffles me. Not just about my friend. But about information in general. If you seek information and the majority consensus leads you in one direction and the minority consensus is in an opposite direction, why do you believe the few? I have read on many topics and have found multiple positive aspects and reportings about a person, place or thing. Then there will be that one person who speaks negatively about it and people jump on and board the negativity train. The source is not considered or fact checked.

I was in a recent discussion with an individual (separate from the friend I refer to in the example above) who had a negative opinion (he called the person a crook) of someone and they displayed it publicly in comments on a post on a well known blog. I asked them why they made such accusations and the response was, “because he is one.” I asked them to site specific examples that led them to classify the person in question as a crook. Upon which I received no reply.

My research and subsequent interviews recounted recollections from some very well known public speakers like the great Zig Ziglar and the unknown billionaire Bill Bartmann. Any of you who know Zig Ziglar or Bill Bartmann will know that both men are kind and honest individuals. Yet, when you search their names and terms like crook or scam, you will find hundreds of references that are contrary to them being scams or crooks and one or two references to the negative side of things. And, for some reason, people believe the minutia of negativity.

This happens from internationally acclaimed individuals all the way down to the single entrepreneur. Ever had an idea or started a business and heard people say “that will never work”? Isn’t it odd that the people that normally say such things have never started or owned a business, much less try to create something from a simple idea? You believe that you have learned a new way to create a new revenue stream or a new way to invest and you have people say “you are going to lose all of your money”? Once again, isn’t it interesting that the people that give you this advice do not invest their money and are quite often broke?

I have found that the people that are the conductors of the negativity train have failed or they are too scared to try. So, consequently, they are jealous of those who are brave enough to try and who have the tenacity to stick with things until they succeed. Please hear this loud and clear. I am not advocating trusting the masses carte blanche. There are times when the masses have been hoodwinked into believing a good story like “aspartame is not bad for you” or that “fluoride is good for you.” What I am saying and the whole point of this post is to Consider The Source. When you are told something, consider the base of knowledge and the motivation of the person who is feeding you information. Does the source have the type of experience and base of knowledge to be credible enough to inform you on the matter in question? Does the source have anything to gain by presenting you with their unsolicited opinion. Do not automatically believe the negatives. It is easy to do. Humans have been conditioned to believe the worst in people and ignore the best. Hence the reason the “news” is typically slanted towards the negative side of life highlighting murder, rape, famine, disease and war.

In the information age we have data flying at us literally at the speed of light. We consume more data in one year than a person in the 1800s did in their entire lifetime. With all of the data that enters your life, consider the source before you simply believe. And once you have a credible source, hand on to them. It makes your life easier. Because now you can believe unless they are proven otherwise.For repetitions sake, let me reiterate one more time – Consider The Source!