In this day and age there are hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of resources. Whether it be podcasts, YouTube videos, books, audiobooks, Facebook groups, online courses, the list goes on and on. With so much content out in the world, it's hard to know what to listen to. You need to be mindful of the content you are taking in, otherwise the content can take over you.

Let’s take a step back, why do we listen or take in content in the first place?

Well, entrepreneurship is lonely, it’s not like we are in some corporate office and can get advice from the person in the cubicle next to us. It’s easy to feel like you are on an island of your own and no one understands what you're going through. Although, it may feel that way sometimes, it simply isn’t true. That’s why there are SO many resources out there.

If you’re an entrepreneur, who are you listening to? Who is providing you with the support, inspiration, motivation, and education you need to keep working hard to achieve your dreams?

Maybe you are listening and learning from Paul Jamison, Kory Ballard, Caleb and Brittany Auman or myself. Maybe you’re listening to Dave Ramsey or Robert Kiyosaki to learn about finances. Maybe you’re listening to Tony Robbins or John Maxwell or other motivational speakers. Like I said before, the list goes on and on of all the resources that are out there. The ones I listed above are some of the many fantastic resources, but with the good, there is bad.

There are podcasts or YouTube videos for just about every reality TV show. There are endless news broadcasts. There are even podcasts where you can listen to random people talk about random stuff. Unpopular opinion: you are wasting your time and energy if that is the content you are choosing to take in.

Being in the lawn care industry, I have 8+ hours a day to take in content. I am either on a mower listening to podcasts or trimming and listening to podcasts. I am going to choose to use that time to develop and grow as a business owner, not to catch up on the latest Bachelor tea. I want to learn all I can to better my family's future. I want to surround myself with encouragement, motivation, and education. The best way I can do that is by intentionally choosing my content.

There is already so much negativity out in the world, why let it into your life by choosing to listen to content that will bring you down, create bad habits, or simply frustrate you. The world can be a negative toxic place, so you need to do your best to combat that. You may be thinking, that’s just my worldview and let me tell you, my worldview is anything but that! I’m blessed, I believe in abundance and prosperity, I believe in succeeding and I’m not in competition with anyone because if I can win, so can you! It’s simply a fact that there is negativity out in the world and there will constantly be people telling you, you will fail, so why add to it by listening to unproductive, negative content. There is so much drama, whining, and complaining out there that I want to ensure my content is an oasis of good, helpful information.

When you think about it, how is keeping up on the world's drama serving you?

My guess... it’s not. So do something about it! Be intentional!

The other part of this is that we have become a society that forgets to think. You have a brain, so use it! Just because you listen to something doesn’t make it true. Heck, if you get through this whole blog post and think “he’s got this all wrong,” that’s fine! But think that because you have read and researched other perspectives and opinions, enough so that you were able to draw your own conclusion. You know what’s best for you and your habits, no one says you have to take my advice. I am just trying to give you that tough love that we all need sometimes.

In every aspect of life, people tend to hear something without hearing the whole story. They jump to conclusions without knowing the facts. Someone could have recommended a fantastic mower blade, but then you try it and realize you like a different brand better and that’s okay! You formed your own opinion based on research and your experience, so do the same when it comes to deciding what content to let into your mind.

I am not here to be an authority, I'm just trying to help you out and give you the reality check you might just need. If your content is not serving you in a positive way, take a step back and reevaluate.

Check out my complete and unfiltered thoughts on this on Episode 6 of the Fullerton Unfiltered Podcast.