Last night I read an article about Pope Francis. Says he hasn’t watched tee-vee in 25 years.
Stop everything you’re doing and ponder this for a moment.
Regardless of your fatih, beliefs, etc. – consider this act in and of itself, for it’s own merit.
I’ve been told the average American watches 21 hours of television per week. And many of these same people believe they “don’t have time” to get things done. They’re busy. Very, very busy.
Tee-vee is only ONE of the many “activities” people engage in on a daily basis, that keeps them from doing something productive with their lives. Now, I’m not saying you “should” stop watching television – nor is it a commandment.
But perhaps dropping the telly is worthy of consideration.
When I read the article on the Pope – I truly took some time to reflect on it. What if I cut back on all the baseball games I watch on the box? And that’s literally about ALL I ever watch on t.v.
I cannot tell you who the most popular stars are, or what programs are rated or ranked. Don’t know the names of any of the shows. Or the times they come on.
For the MOST part, I have ZERO interest in tee-vee.
Except for watching baseball.
What if I completely gave that up? No more baseball on the tube. None. Just quit cold turkey.
Same goes for a host of other distractions. Like the cell phone.
Last week I forgot my phone. Left it at home.
Turned out to be a good thing after I got over the feeling of having lost an artificial limb.
Why do we think we MUST have a gadget with us at all times making us accessiible by text, email, Facebook, Twitter, and so on, all day long?
How about a withdrawal program?
Make a short term pact with yourself to give up ONE of your gadgets or activities for a week and see if you feel better.
If this causes you to feel uncomfortable, consider WHY.
This morning I wanted to turn on the idiot box. I really did. Wanted to get a recap of yesterday’s “plays of the day.”
I ignored this urging and got busy reading something – and typing a few emails.
Can I do this for a week, a month, a year, or 25 years?
I suppose so – but how about taking it one day at a time for now. Or half-a-day at a time. Or as I’ve taught over the years – one breath at a time.
For today I will observe the 11th Commandment – no tee-vee. It already feels pretty good. Despite the urgings of my subconscious telling me, “Look, Matt, you don’t watch that much. And you don’t watch ridiculous shows and such all day long. A little bit of this is okay” – I’m going to ignore those thoughts.
For today. For this breath. For this instant.
And I’m going to get more done in less time.
If you’d like to join me on this – keep me posted on how it’s working for you.
Kick the tee-vee habit – get more done in less time,
Matt Furey
author of Theatre of the Mind – a Nightingale-Conant best-seller – get it now for $40 off the original amount
P.S. Tee-vee is only one a thousands of daily distractions – but it’s a big one. Using this same strategy for some other time-slurper is a good idea, too. Just don’t try to revolutionize your entire life overnight. Start with one thing, build a success around it, then if you’d like, go to the next thing.
