As a motivational speaker, my job is to give people information that will in some way make them happier, healthier and more effective at their jobs and in their relationships. In other words, to help them get the best results possible. And I have one big challenge with making this happen.
Prejudice. Pre-judging. An audience member knowing, before I ever share the first idea with them that 1) They already know what will and won’t work, and 2) Listening to me will be a big waste of time. And it’s these beliefs that actually PREVENT people from hearing what I am saying, and seeing the possibilities of how the information and ideas could change their lives for the better. To combat this, I encourage people to set preconceived ideas aside and, just for one hour, assume they don’t know anything about my topic. I also sprinkle my presentation with facts, and research data that supports what I’m saying.
And this morning, it hit me. I needed to do the exact same thing right now.
Never in my life have I seen people so passionately attached to their political point of view regarding which candidate is the best choice for president – myself included. I feel like I know EXACTLY which person should be president and cannot FATHOM how anyone could think otherwise. I mean, why can’t they see what I see? But then again, why can’t I see what they see?
Could it be because I KNOW – and they DON’T? And who’s the judge of THAT, I ask?
Ah. Here’s where the facts come in. Those pesky little facts that have nothing to do with party affiliation. You cannot make anyone else look at facts, but you certainly can investigate them yourself. And, contrary to what you might have heard, FACTS ARE NOT OPINION when they come from a reliable source.
So this might be the biggest gift I can give you (and me) today. Do your research. Ignore so-called “facts” that come from websites like “dirtyunderwear.com” or “whosaidwhatwhenandwhy.com.” or “Iknowandyoudont.com.”
I recommend Politicalfact.com. It is a non-partisan Pulitzer Prize winning site that delivers accurate, factual, reliable information.
And remember, just because what they find doesn’t agree with what you ALREADY KNOW, doesn’t mean they are wrong.
Never, in our lifetime, have facts been more important.
