A Self-Imposed Media Fast

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I’m tired of the relentless torrent of bad news coming from the media. I feel like I am stuck in a recession version of Ground Hog Day. The names and places change with each story, but underneath the veneer, it’s the same story-line:

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/bloodstone, Image #5404721

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/bloodstone
  • “We’re in a severe recession.”
  • “It’s the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.”
  • “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
  • “There’s very little you can do about it.”

I don’t know about you, but this is not having a healthy impact on my psyche. Last night, after waking up again at 3:30 in the morning, I thought, Enough is enough. I don’t need the additional worry and fear that this is creating. It’s time to turn off the news.

I’m not sticking my head in the sand. I understand that we have a significant economic problem. But, in my opinion, the news media are exacerbating this problem with their reporting. They are systematically undermining consumer confidence. This is a case where reporting the news is actually causing the news.

The truth is that I can’t fix the global economy. As a result, the bad economic news is a waste of my time and energy. I need to be focused on what I can do to improve the performance of my own company and our industry. This means focusing on the future and forgetting the immediate past.

Therefore, effective immediately, I am taking the following four actions:

  1. I am stopping my morning habit of reading online editions of the daily news, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Tennessean and, especially, Drudge. (Note: I didn’t link to these publications on purpose.)
  2. I am removing any news-related feeds from Google Reader. I will continue to keep up with publishing and technology industry news, as well as my favorite bloggers. This more directly affects me.
  3. I am going to stop watching the Today Show, which I usually watch while I am getting ready for work. I am also going to leave the TV off in the evening. I usually have Fox News on in the background, but I’m going to play music instead.
  4. I am going to stop checking the stock market during the day. The market is volatile, so what? Do I really need to ride it up and down? I don’t think so. It’s going to do whatever it’s going to do.

I figure that if some big story happens I need to know, someone will tell me. In the meantime, I have more important things to do.

Question: How about you? Are you as tired of the news media as I am?
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Category: Miscellany
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  • dc

    starting the day w/ Today and ending w/ Fox News? can’t think of anything worse. 24 hour “news” is the worst thing to ever happen to actual news coverage! now it’s just blah, blah, blah! turn it off people!

  • http://twitter.com/wyattrampy Wyatt Rampy

    “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I love that verse. We use it at Thomas Nelson as a “content filter” in deciding what to publish.

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  • http://rachelheldevans.com Rachel Held Evans

    We got rid of our cable last year and are much happier because of it. Cable news – more so than print news, I suspect – brings you down fast.

  • http://peterpollock.com Peter P

    That’s the question… in this information-junkie society, what news do we really ‘need’ to know about?

    Need is such an interesting concept… and one whose definition changes quite dramatically depending on our circumstances.

  • http://shine4himphoto.wordpress.com Nicole

    Your question is appropriate: I’m tired of the news MEDIA. I’m tired of all the bickering, the left-wing/right-wing name calling, and the sensationalized gossip. The news itself is still good, if you can get past the reporting.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Me, too. In fact, I was talking with a media executive in L.A. this week who says that this is a growing trend, and it will affect programming going forward.

  • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

    You posted this over two years ago. Are you still fasting?

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      On and off, mostly off.

      • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

        There’s a big royal wedding on Friday, just in case you haven’t heard.

  • http://www.suttonparks.com Sutton Parks

    Right on! At Christmas I bought a 42″ flat screen Vizio. I sat on the couch all winter and gained 30 lbs! April 1st I had enough. I returned it back to Sam’s Club and set some goals. So far, I’ve ran 25 consecutive days, lost 18 lbs, read four books, met several people for lunch, attended 2 networking events, practiced my guitar and piano, and did a lot of writing. The world hasn’t changed, but I have.

    • Bwenman

      Congrats!

  • Bwenman

    Have you noticed the ridiculous increase in advertisements that we get bombarded with while watching the news? I want to get the news, but there are at least 9 commercials for every 15 minutes of news. I am so tired of being sold to! Media and commercial fast for me!

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I agree. And they seem to turn the volume up on them, too.

  • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

    Wow! I love it! I’m in. I agree – I can’t stand the negativity, particularly because I’m not experiencing this so-called economic downturn. The nonprofit that I work for is doing the best it’s ever done (which may, to be fair, be a result of the “recession”), and I’m personally making some great business and freelance connections. I know that the economy is changing and that my children may not have the same life that I had, but I don’t necessarily know that that’s a bad thing. It’ll just be different.

  • Anonymous

    Michael, you are NOT alone. I actually told myself I’d start watching the news more, after I spoke with my mom about a ground turkey meat recall. I was sick and had eaten turkey meat, so my mom assumed it was from that. It wasn’t, thankfully, but she highly suggested I watch the news more often.

    I begged to differ.

    The news is really depressing– especially this Somalia coverage. Totally breaks my heart. I think a great healthy balance is needed if you’re going to keep up with what’s current in the world. But it’s also healthy to pull back and breathe and just bask in Joy and Peace while continuing to pray for the things happening in the world.

    I am with you 100%.

  • http://sarcasticxtian.com/ Scott Smith

    I got to the same place you describe. I’m probably at about a year since I’ve seen any network news or read a newspaper. I know there are bad things going on, but so far I’ve survived without knowing the details.

  • http://www.facebook.com/christianrayflores Christian Ray Flores

    I am so happy you posted this. I was feeling sort of the same “I don’t need this right now” thing too. The blend of news appeals to a scarcity worldview audience, which is living in the flesh and not the spirit. I want to focus on what doesn’t come naturally, our God is a God of possibility and life. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/sarahkovac Sarah Taylor Kovac

    AMEN! I used to check news sites daily… now I may check once a week, and I rarely watch the news on TV. If something massive happens, I’ll hear about it on Facebook or Twitter. I feel like the speed with which news travels online causes us much more grief than we were meant to bear. If it weren’t for the internet, I wouldn’t stress over the politics and economy of the entire world. Maybe if we each focused on our own neighborhoods, our own companies… heck, our own HOMES, the world would be a better, place.

  • Peter

    I’ve been taking some very similar step for about 10 days now. Great ideas.  I have also “Unfollowed” all the news organizations and political types (both Dems & GOP).  It’s been so refreshing.

  • Diane Stortz

    Ab.So.Lute.Ly.

  • Sheila Hollinghead

    I’ve already done it. So tired of all the gloom and doom!

  • Kevin

    Im happier when I fast from drudge!

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Drudge is the worst, isn’t it. It’s negative and sensational—two lethal combinations.

  • http://twitter.com/Blair_Howell Blair Howell

    Way to go Mike!  I am with you 100%.  I just got back from a vacation where I turned off all media for over a week and it was the most amazing experience… I spent more time with my kids, more time with my wife and most importantly more time with God.  And guess what… I didn’t miss it at all.  Actually, the time gave me a fresh perspective on life, my relationships, my job and I figured that if there is something important to know, God will let me know about it!  More and more I am hearing God whisper “My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

    Blessings…

  • http://www.theproductivitymaven.com Tara Rodden Robinson

    I stopped watching the news on 9/12/01.

  • Tracy Hoots Hoexter

    We have a local station here in Atlanta (WXIA, 11Alive) that has taken on being the “positive news station”…. I do watch them. Their tag is “News that Actually Helps You”. Yes, you get the top stories of the day (which aren’t usually positive) along with lots of uplifting and helpful news stories that would normally never be told. Some call it sappy, but most find it refreshing and I like it.

  • Joe Lalonde

    A timely mention on Twitter. I’ve been trying to cut down on my news consumption also. Some days I do great, others I fail. But a news fast can be a great thing.

  • Tkcprophet

    Wow…. Had the very same thought today. Our church is about to finishe a 21 day food fast. While pondering on that today, I decided to call a media fast at the end of the 21 days which will be midnight this Sunday. Bless you for your influence and inspiration!

  • http://iconart.us Matthew Lawler

    Great job diagnosing the problem! Seriously. I’ve been feeling some similar sentiments about my own limitations and inability to change certain things. And I came to some similar resolutions in terms of limiting my media intake. Especially good call on turning off Fox News- they are the king of nonsensical trashy news- but then again, they always have been. A new world hope awaits those who turn of their televisions to start considering the future as the present. Thanks for your commitment to do this- and your public announcement to do so!

  • http://twitter.com/RELM2 Jennifer Good

    Love this article and I’m joining you!

  • http://www.jonstallings.com Jon Stallings

    I had a similar conversation with a coworker just the other day. He is preparing for Armageddon.  The adage is true – Garbage in, Garbage out.

  • http://twitter.com/donhornsby donhornsby

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Michael.  I completely understand the feelings that you are experiencing – as I have felt them myself.  I have attempted a mini-version of the media fast you have outlined since the beginning of the year.  Your post has given me additional ideas to add to a new daily template.  

    I completely agree with you on this topic!

  • Tammy Owens

    Tammy Owens Amen,
    Michael! I stopped watching TV 5 months ago for this very reason, and
    it has made a big difference in how I spend my time, my thinking and
    productivity. It is one of the best decisions I’ve made and I have no
    regrets! I agree we don’…t
    need to bury our heads in the sand or close ourselves off from the
    world completely, but you don’t know what you’re missing if you’re not
    watching. And, as you said if there’s something major going on in the
    world you’ll hear about regardless. After all, news travels fast with
    6+ billion people in the world! 

  • Mistyhymel

    The news is usually on after I workout. I realized with the 10 or so robberies and murders, a person might not ever leave their house! It gets depressing! I would rather listen to the positive!

  • Bill Jones

    As we went through a Bible Study on Trusting God a couple of years ago, I decided it was time to stop watching/listening/reading the news. Despite what seems to be an out of control world, God is in control and is carrying out His perfect plan. It has been a much more peaceful existence. I still pray, and will learn enough that I can vote prudently, but otherwise, there’s not a lot I can do about anything out of my little section of the world. 

  • Jody

    Just please vote in November !

  • 1michaellemme

    Michael- I totally agree with you. My wife and I gave up cable a few months ago, and I have been more productive than ever. If something happens, I will find out. Thanks for your post.

  • http://mnhometown.com/ Jake Olson

    I have a four year old, so I’ve been on a four year media fast.  Whenever we choose to turn the TV on, it’s basically Nick Jr.  We’re definitely better for it.

  • Joanie

    I did this about 3 years ago, I am still fasting. I love it ! my mental health is much better, there is almost always nothing that you can do to change what’s going on around the world. Change the lives of the people around you, you will see there is plenty of bad news right at your workplace, neighborhood, or children s school. Good for you, I hope you can get over the initial bewilderment, but once that has passed enjoy the world at your doorstep.

  • Karen Gordon-Kahau

    I’ve never really been much of a news-reader or watcher.   I’ve always found it a bit stressful.  It’s not that I am unaware, it’s just I don’t feel the need to dwell on it all the time.  Like you said, if it’s something I need to know about, someone will tell me.  So far, it hasn’t failed me. 

  • http://www.jeannenigro.com/ Jeanne Nigro

    Very wise Michael. I have not had TV or radio news on in my house for the past 10 years. God has not given us a spirit of fear, and the enemy uses this news to instill fear in us that makes us ineffective for God. It also puts a lot of clutter in our minds instead of keeping our minds stayed on Him which brings us the peace and intimacy with God that we need to navigate through these crazy times and continue to fulfill His purposes for us! Congrats on your fast and keep it up!!

  • http://twitter.com/Mitzi_Eaker Mitzi Eaker

    Well said! I did this very thing Sunday morning after David Platt’s sermon at Brookhills. http://bit.ly/QjVR3l Priorities changed! Before, I was in a tail spin of worry about what was going on and frustration with the media. Watching TV was doing nothing but getting me off track. After Sunday, I was refocused on my purpose and the things I have been given responsibility and authority over. Including prayer.

  • Caro Bee

    I did that about 10 years ago, I don’t even own a TV set and I really don’t feel the need. I have my computer for movies and such. I hear important news from others and I comnect from time to time when I need an update on something and then again, I google the specific info. Ahhhh freeing the brain, I’m much more creative and relationship oriented.

  • http://www.thedailyretort.com/ TorConstantino

    One word – GENIUS!

  • Robyn Mellar-Smith

    Mike, I agree with you. In my line of work I deal with some sad issues, I do not need a constant stream of sad into all pores.
    I live in New Zealand & over the past few years I have really noticed an increase in writing the news story from the angle with the biggest emotional pull, e.g. “Man killed in car accident was to marry long-time love.”
    We have a reasonably high youth suicide rate & I wonder if one contribution is this constant focus on the sad & bad by the media?
     

  • http://www.denadyer.com/ Dena Dyer

    Very tired. For years now, the only news I get is on the Christian radio station I listen to and in The Week magazine (a weekly “hit the highlights” publication which gives both sides of stories and is like a Reader’s Digest of everything), plus our local small-town paper. I just can’t stand all the junk, and when I indulge, it really affects me. Glad you are doing this, and publicizing it. I think the news media’s negativity contributes to our nation’s high rate of depression and anxiety. Good for you!

  • Sunshinex

    Agreed. Thus our creation of The Sunshine Express. Only the good news. Find us online :)

  • Mitch Moyer

    I now appreciate sport talk radio.

  • Shari

    So, check in with us in 21 days… The time period it generally takes to change behavior patterns and let us know how it is going for you. Oh, and I already subscibe to your theory, too.

  • Ben Matthews

    Darren Hardy would definitely agree with you, and so do I!  Spending mental energy on things outside of our control is generally unproductive and there are ways of staying “current” without being immersed.  There are already plenty of things that threaten my attitude and mental state without being immersed in negative media.  Your mind is a garden and what that garden produces will greatly depend on what you feed it!

  • BLanca

    I did this for a while and it changed my thinking. In going to try it again…

  • Beth

    I reduced my news intake some time ago. I think only good has come from that for me. And I expect the world did not notice my absence from it. I’m not totally disconnected – I love GMA in the mornings. But i’m not a new junkie like I use to be and I think I”m more balanced for it. Good for you – there is life beyond the news. And it’s better!

  • http://www.facebook.com/matt.stanfield.7 Matt Stanfield

    The news stuff is just horrible. I stopped reading it on the advice of Tim Ferriss in the 4 Hour Work Week and life has just been better. That was 3 months ago. It is more peaceful, saves time, and people really will tell you if something big happens, like the Boston bombing.

    Going back to reading the news would just be impossible for me now. It just ruins too much.

  • John Greene

    been news free for the last week. i choose to encourage those in my sphere of influence and not be polluted by the lack of truth (news). it also frees up my creative mind in order to write deeper.

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