Discerning the “Noise” from the Necessary

Noise.

What and who are you listening to?

On a daily basis it’s amazing how much “noise” we can pay attention to. This week’s article is about the “noise” you listen to on a personal level, and the next article will be about the noise you listen to from an organizational perspective.

The noise we listen to can have a dramatic impact upon …

Ourselves …

Our relationships …

Our results …

Our productivity …

Our impact …

Our health.

The question is … what “noise” are you listening to?

• Do you allow the constant news cycle to fester anxiety and fear about the future?

• Do you allow the distance you feel between you and another leader to cause feelings of insecurity about your standing?

• Do you allow the feedback you received to cause feelings of anger or fear about your role?

• Do you allow the competitor analysis to cause you to feel like you should just give up?

At Insight Leadership Group, we are rooted in helping you love life at work and love life at home. We truly believe that if we can help you love life while succeeding at work, that families and communities can transform. Are we optimists? You better believe it. We also see it.

When a mother and father are successful at work relationally, while also accomplishing great results, they are more engaged at home with their kids. Kids can enjoy throwing the ball in the yard, they can feel safe to ask questions, they can screw up, and still continue to dream. As a result, kids are kinder to classmates, focus more in school, and grow up being healthier humans.

So, when I ask about what “noise” you are listening to, it is a deeply important question because your answer has a direct correlation to your emotional, relational, physical and spiritual health.

I used to love watching crime shows … until I had kids and moved to a somewhat secluded house in the woods. Every noise was a potential bad guy. It’s amazing how much better I sleep when I don’t watch a gut wrenching detective show before bed. This isn’t a crazy concept. This is true for every area of our lives.

Take a moment to consider the “noise” you listen to along with the impact it has on your life.

• Are you taking marriage advice and insight from someone who’s marriage is healthy?

• Are you taking parental notes from someone who’s kids have turned out to be good humans?

• Are you taking business advice from someone who has climbed the ranks and encourages you?

• Are you taking financial advice from someone who is on the track you want to be on?

Who are you allowing to speak into your life and what is the result of the “noise” you are inviting in?

Action Step:

If you want to love life at work and love life at home, then take an account of the “noise” you are inviting into your life and the impact it is having on your life. Then – adjust the volume knob accordingly. Maybe even change the station.