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!

Guest post by Marlene Chism.

Drama keeps you from success. It’s as simple as that.  Yet, it’s easy to miss the “signs” that indicate trouble is on the horizon.  Picture an island and you in a rowboat rowing toward the island. The island is your business dream. You are equipped with oars (and perhaps a team) to get you to your island.  Now that you have the picture let me share with you four “Drama Signs” that can keep you from reaching your destination. 

Drama Sign #1 Low ROI
You are working hard but not making any money. You are cranky and irritable instead of motivated and happy. Let me guess. You don’t get enough sleep. You eat fast food at your desk and you have given up on physical exercise and your mantra is “I don’t have time.”  

Work without adequate recovery is like rowing harder while the leak in your boat gets bigger. You can row harder and faster, but you end up exhausted with a boat full of water. Even if you do get to the island you are too tired to celebrate your success.  

New research suggests it’s about managing energy not time. Stephen Covey calls it sharpening the saw and Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz calls it “energy management.” The solution is to take regular breaks to keep your energy high. Your body requires rest and recovery every 60 -90 minutes. 

Drama Sign #2 No Teamwork
“It’s not my fault.” 
“It’s not my job.”
“Who is the idiot who messed up this time?”

Instead of your team “rowing together” they hit each other over the head with their oars trying to prove who is right and who is wrong. If there is drama with the team it may be because you need to brush up on your communication and leadership skills.

The solution is to have regular team meetings with clear objectives, an agenda, a task list and a system for accountability. Recognize that your team members are motivated by success not by confusion. 

Drama Sign #3 Excuses
There is a saying, “You can either have lots of money or lots of excuses.” Drama is justifying your lackluster performance. You didn’t reach your sales goals but instead of getting feedback or working smarter, you spend time explaining your situation. You blame the boat maker for making a shoddy boat. You remind others that you only used two oars while everyone else had a motor. The justifying doesn’t help your sales goals the next month either and now you’ve wasted time explaining versus selling. 

Drama Sign # 4 Negativity 
The number one productivity problem is workplace negativity and this boils down to awareness and relationship building skills.

The number one reason an employee leaves a company is because he doesn’t get along with his boss. Anytime there is turnover in a department look at the boss and assess that boss’s people skills. 

Other signs of negativity include constant bickering and complaining. Think about how much time is spent talking about who did what wrong rather than immediately looking for the solution.  

Negativity is a habit that makes the success journey miserable, not only for you but for everyone on the team. You are in the boat, but you aren’t enjoying the journey. It’s too hot, too cold, the seat is uncomfortable or you are tired. 

Now that you know four types of drama, identify one of the four and ask yourself this question: Where would you be without your drama? Rich? Successful? Happy?

If you like Marlene’s perspective and want to learn more, help her become an Amazon #1 best seller by purchasing your copy of her book Success Is A Given on December 10th. For your convenience, we have provided this link for you – Get The Book.

Marlene Chism is a communications strategist and founder of www.stopyourdrama.com.

She is the author of Success is a Given: Reading the Signs While Reinventing Your Life.

To learn more about the book go to www.successisagiven.com