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Mind Capture

By Tony Rubleski
President & Author,
Mind Capture Group
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It amazes me how much our media institutions still continue to report on all the things we humans do wrong. Yes, there are problems and challenges and we can’t, nor should we ignore them. However, my concern is that negative news continues to hog up the spotlight and often serves to make people even more fearful and cynical. So, it’s without question that when a positive idea or story crosses my desk and it’s also related to Michigan, my mind perks up with anticipation.

I was in Lansing about a month ago for a meeting with Bob Thomas, executive director of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, when I picked up a copy of their newsletter to peruse before he greeted me in the lobby. As I flipped through the pages I came across an article titled, Michigan Chamber Foundation to Select 50 Great Ideas for Michigan. The article immediately captured my attention.

Wow, what a novel idea: focus on positive things we can do to improve our great state. After reading the story, I tore the page out of the newsletter and realized I must share the findings with others. Since, the report probably won’t make the lead story on the six o’ clock news or front page of all the state’s newspapers, I felt compelled to weigh in and encourage readers of my columns to check it out and read this special report which narrows down the top 50 ideas that made the list.

Ideas were submitted by Michigan citizens over the last eight months in six categories including: Revitalizing Michigan’s Economy; Enjoying Michigan’s Vast Resources; and Rebuilding Communities & Transportation, among others. The website saw traffic from over 10,000 unique visitors who voted and promoted their favorite ideas.

“Our intent is to see that good ideas get done and not sit in a feel-good report,” said Thomas. “The purpose of the program is to find creative ideas that can be used to make a meaningful impact on Michigan’s quality of life.”

As an added benefit, here’s an additional idea I’d like to share with you that I’ll also send to Bob for future use if he sees a fit.

Let’s continue to promote the positives of our state when we travel outside her borders. I’m on the road a lot and people always ask me when I tell them where I’m from, “So how’s Michigan?” So, I don’t shock them or make them feel like I’m running for governor, I quickly mention that we’ve had our share of challenges, but that we’re hanging tough and reinventing ourselves quickly for positive growth. This often surprises many, but it’s not uncommon that many people will open up and tell me about a positive trip or experience they’ve had within the state. What a novel idea! Build up our great state instead of hurting its already fragile and often misunderstood reputation in many people’s eyes.

It’s easy for people to go negative these days, especially my peers in the media industry, and to me that’s frankly a cop out. Many people I work, speak to and associate with are frankly getting burned out about the continual war drum of recession talk and are willing and ready to move on. Yes, as I stated earlier in the article, my thoughts and commentary may not make the six o’clock news and that’s fine. However, if I’ve impacted you for the better after reading these words, then I’ve chipped in and done my part to make Michigan a better place to be.

As part of the Michigan Chamber’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, the list of 50 ideas will be published in a report to be released at the end of the summer. For more information on the program, or to see a full list of all submitted ideas, visit www.GreatIdeasForMichigan.org.

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