STAYING INFORMED





Information refers to data (unorganized findings) that is accurately and timely, specific and organized for a purpose presented within a context that gives it meaning and relevance, and can lead to an increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty. Information is power and with power life automatically becomes facile. But it’s also salient to note that it is practically impossible to save the world as a leader if you don’t know what’s wrong with it? That’s why this article is majorly centered on how to stay well-informed.

Here are a few vital tips to help you stay conversant with the most recent information:


1. Make a daily commitment : Keeping up with the news takes work. This isn’t a final exam you can cram for – you've just got to keep up with the news habitually each day. Checking twice a day, either in the morning,afternoon or in the evening once respectively to see how the news has progressed. Glancing through the headlines online, would cost only a few minutes. But if you wish to understand what’s going on, you need to devote about an hour daily. However, if that feels too stressful; You can get a fair amount of news in reading only the most interesting articles at first.
2. Seek the positive: The missen Chibok girls in Nigeria,the Orlando shootings…. the news sometimes can be such an unhappy place. It’s not uncommon for learning about the world to depress you – in the same vein there is good news coming from all corners of the world. If you find yourself giving up on humanity, seek out for- positive channels.Mainstream media also has a tendency to sensationalize the worst parts of a story, so dig a little deeper. The truth usually isn't as bad as it appears. If staying well-informed does takes a toll on your sanity, don’t be afraid to take a break. Keeping abreast of current events might be a wise thing to do, nevertheless your mental health comes first.
3. Go local and global: It is salient to know about events going on in your neighborhood as well as miles away. Stay balanced by following various news sources that cover local, national and global news. Don’t be timid to work up to the global. If at any point in time you feel overwhelmed, try focusing on a specific region of the world that excites you. Through this, you could learn enough to help you in potential academic or professional endeavors.
4. Dig deeper: The problem with daily news is that it seldom gives an in-depth look at vital affairs. Try reading books, newspapers and magazines or investigative programs. You’ll appear way smarter with very little effort.
5. Stay equitable: As hard as journalists try to remain impartial, all news sources are in some ways biased. Get the unabridged story by seeking out coverage from all sides. Be on the look out for political and national interests –  try reading the New York Times, Business Insider and the Wall Street Journal, or watch both MSNBC and Al-Jazeera English. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone to learn alternate perspectives. Put those critical thinking skills from college to good use.
6. Use recess wisely: Alot of people will claim they don’t have an extra hour each day to devote to current events. So use the time you do have wisely. Scroll through a news app while in line at the doctor’s office or while on queue, Watch the morning news while you get dressed for work in the morning. Inveterate your homepage to your favorite news site, customizing it if you wish with iGoogle or MyYahoo. News comes in so many forms, there’s bound to be one that fits neatly into your schedule.
7. Customize your social media feeds: Chances are, you spend several hours each day scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. So why not make it more informative? Follow news organizations and personalities on these platforms to add a dose of news into your cyber-stalking. 
8. Do a little research: One problem with the news is it’s easy to get lost if you miss just one day, let alone to have never picked up a newspaper before. Research if you need to, clicking on links within the story or looking at any recommended reading. If you’re starting from scratch, you could check out Wikipedia’s Current Events portal. Select a month and year for a summary of all the important events that happened in the past.
9. Talk to other people: There’s no use staying well-informed if you keep all that newfound knowledge to yourself alone. The best way to learn about an issue is to discuss and debate on it with others. If your friends or colleagues aren’t interested, share your thoughts in online forums or in the comments sections about specific articles. Discussing an issue will deepen your understanding of it, especially if your conversation partners have a unique perspective or new knowledge to add. Just be nice about it. Reading one article about a subject doesn’t make you an expert, so ask questions and learn from your peers. Discussing the news is a great way to stay sociable since it proffers you with an instant conversation topic at parties. Don’t be the person who turns a friendly debate into a contest about who knows more. It's repulsive.
10. Be well grounded:  Are you well-versed in every detail of Tyga's relationship? Can you name every movie coming out this summer? Entertainment news is fascinating, but it’s just that: entertainment is fine to obsess over. Leaders have fun, but they pay attention to societal issues that matter too.
11. Don’t be afraid of paywalls, but don’t discount them either: One surprisingly common excuse for not keeping up with the news is that it’s just too expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Free websites, podcasts and TV clips abound – you can even follow a lot of global news on YouTube! If you prefer hard copies, check out your local library. That said, some eminent report sources are worth it, and many subscriptions cost less than a beer on Friday night. If you have the money, spend it and help keep the ‘death of journalism’ at bay...*winks!

YOU ARE A LEADER!!!
Christopher is a brilliant content writer and digital marketing executive who enables brands to connect in a human way with their audience on the internet. He is also a trained investment advisor, with a passion for helping people secure and maximize their financial resources.

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