As long as I have worked in the TV news business there is one thing that’s been consistent the entire time; people complaining. People who work on air and behind the scenes complain about their salary, their job title, the city in which they live, they’re not getting enough airtime, they’re not getting enough respect, management is treating them badly.

Well I’m here to tell you that the only way things are going to change, personally or professionally, is if you make them change. I was listening to motivational speaker, Tony Robbins recently and he says that “we have to take personal responsibility for everything that happens to us.” He’s right because if you don’t you’re allowing what happens in your life, good or bad, to be dictated by someone else. We’ve all heard the quote “life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.”

Keep in mind that all those “bad things” that are happening to you could be the push you need to take a leap of faith that could change your life for the better. I know people who have been pushed out of horrible TV stations only to land on their feet at great TV stations.

I know working in small market television can be hard and emotionally draining, but depending on your goals and how quickly you’re improving at your craft it won’t be long before you’re moving on to bigger and better things.  

This is why I say don’t overstay your welcome at some TV station that’s taking you nowhere, there could be something better, no, no, no there is something better out there for you. You just have to find it. With the New Year upon us, there is no time better than the present to claim whatever it is you think is going to make you happy.

Happy New Year!! 

I hope 2014 was good. Let’s make 2015 great!

Ever since I started working for a CBS affiliate a couple of months ago I watch more of the CBS Evening News; it’s the lead-in to my station’s six o’clock local newscast.

I realized yesterday that when I watch this broadcast I talk to the screen. I’ll say things like “that’s crazy, that’s a shame, that’s sad, now why did they do that, how did they get that or great story!”  It’s almost like when you’re crazy uncle is watching a football game and he can’t shut up about what’s going on in the game. I know it must drive my Executive Producer crazy; if she’s even paying me any attention. Her desk is next to mine.

Anyway, I’ve always said that when you write stories you need to connect with your viewers on an emotional level and that’s exactly what the CBS Evening News does. It’s good old fashioned journalism that stirs my emotions. It’s unbiased, fair reporting that allows me to decide to how to feel or react to the subject matter that’s presented on the broadcast. And because I’m pulled in emotionally I’m actually paying attention and listening to what the team is reporting on that day.

This is part of what it takes to keep your viewers coming back to you to get the information they need to make informed decisions. A friend of mine told me a while back that when it comes to network evening newscasts he watches the CBS Evening News. I now know and see why.

As small market journalists, I know there’s a lot of emphasis placed on doing active stand ups and live shots to make your story interesting, but remember, you also have to incorporate good, accurate fair storytelling to connect with your viewers.  The CBS Evening News is proof that good old fashioned journalism still works.