Habit changer: TV is a pitiful waste of time

[AgainstAllOdds]

After reading James Clear book, "Atomic Habits" - I decided to change my environment up a little bit so I don't fall into the same routines and time depleting habits.

I posted this sign on my TV.

Hopefully it works wonders.

What are some specific actions you've taken to change a habit?

Meh..

TV is enjoyable. Everyone needs an escape and television is the simplest escape. $100MM productions brought to you for $10 a month.

I'd rather live the following life:

• Watch TV all day everyday

than...

• Read a book
• Vacuum
• Clean my room
• Do the dishes
• Make cookies
• Write a goal
• Write in my journal

The problem isn't TV - it's a lack of discipline. There's enough hours in a day to work, workout, spend time with your family, and unwind by watching something.

But if TV is coming at the cost of improving your life, then yeah, your approach was the right one.

 

[chuckypita]

After reading James Clear book, "Atomic Habits" - I decided to change my environment up a little bit so I don't fall into the same routines and time depleting habits.

I posted this sign on my TV.

Hopefully it works wonders.

What are some specific actions you've taken to change a habit?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[James Cozens]

I literally just threw my TV in a rubbish skip. I've found the best ways to stop distractions are to simply remove them.

E.g: I always found myself going on the Facebook app without thinking. Suddenly I'm scrolling the newsfeed and wondering how I got there. So I deleted the Facebook app from my phone. When I need it for business, I just log in on my laptop.

Same goes for eating badly: remove all junk food from your home. Create a meal plan and schedule your eating - make sure you're full of healthy food all the time, then there is less room for impulse eating. It sounds like a lot of work, but (like anything) it gets easier with practice.

 

[ExaltedLife]

Hopefully it works wonders.

That language is indicative of a bigger problem.

Your problem isn't TV. Your problem is that you haven't internalized your locus of control, and that's because you aren't mentally focused enough. Think of it this way - you're trying to manage your time so that you have more time in the day. Okay....what for?

Instead of managing your time, manage your focus. What are you thinking about? If you're 100% focused on your purpose, you're going to naturally filter out anything that doesn't help you.

What does it say about you, if you need a sticky note to remind you not to watch TV? It means that you aren't consciously choosing your actions. Why is that? It's because you don't actually have a clear goal in mind.

Look at the note you wrote. Your alternate activities include: "Write a goal", "Call a potential client" and "Build something". What you ought to do is find your endpoint, make a list of every step you need to get there, and just get to work.

Presumably, you don't think it makes sense for you to watch TV until you've made your Fastlane exit. There's a simple solution then. Sell your tv.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

That language is indicative of a bigger problem.

Your problem isn't TV. Your problem is that you haven't internalized your locus of control, and that's because you aren't mentally focused enough. Think of it this way - you're trying to manage your time so that you have more time in the day. Okay....what for?

Instead of managing your time, manage your focus. What are you thinking about? If you're 100% focused on your purpose, you're going to naturally filter out anything that doesn't help you.

What does it say about you, if you need a sticky note to remind you not to watch TV? It means that you aren't consciously choosing your actions. Why is that? It's because you don't actually have a clear goal in mind.

Look at the note you wrote. Your alternate activities include: "Write a goal", "Call a potential client" and "Build something". What you ought to do is find your endpoint, make a list of every step you need to get there, and just get to work.

Presumably, you don't think it makes sense for you to watch TV until you've made your Fastlane exit. There's a simple solution then. Sell your tv.

Great advice.

While breaking the TV habit is a great start, without the clear meaning and purpose toward that deviated time, it's similar to action-faking.

One must define the desired outcome, then visualize the identity and its habits critical to its implementation.

Consuming culture is important for the creative mind.

Very true. I don't mind ads on websites because I like seeing what everyone is doing.

Likewise, I own multiple TVs but I don't need to throw them away or cancel the subscriptions because I have a) Discipline and b) A purpose.

That said, the TVs don't come on for days on end, sometimes weeks. When I watch, it's usually a wind-down, a bed-session (don't feel well) or something else.

When you have a purpose, all the extraneous distractions sort of weed themselves out.

 

[Thomas Baptiste]

'It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.'
- Bruce Lee

I've applied that quote to my life and many bad habits (and people) have been removed. In my experience, going cold turkey on habits like that can lead to relapse. Good on the note though, the constant subtle reminders should keep you on track.

 

[James Klymus]

When I want to get more done I pack my xbox up in a box and throw it in the basement until I finish what I need to get done . Its way to easy to look over from my desk at my couch and TV, And say "F*ck it" and go over and waste a whole saturday playing video games.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[RazorCut]

The problem isn't TV - it's a lack of discipline. There's enough hours in a day to work, workout, spend time with your family, and unwind by watching something.

And if there isn't then you need to get that balance back. I spent too many years working stupid hours and missing my kids growing up. All that gets you is regret.

Besides TV can provide an education as well as entertainment.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[B. Cole]

Not boasting, but I don’t watch TV at all. I’ve always shyed from it, which is a struggle in my house because my wife is glued to the thing, along with video games. I used to be a gamer, but then I decided I want to be rich, so I had to stop. My media time is spent on my phone obsessing over my Fastlane venture.

I’ve taken up the habit of riding my bike to the store if I want something to eat on the weekends. Been a little difficult lately because it’s bullshit degrees right now in NC, but it does make me earn the cookie on non-hypothermic days.

I’ve also been diligent about keeping a running to-do list and making sure that at no time is there any part of my Fastlane venture waiting on me. I’ll return emails and calls immediately, and if somebody needs something, I drop everything and grind until I get it to them. Waiting on others, on the other hand, drives me crazy and gives me anxiety.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Guest6814]

My days are so full that there’s no time for TV, so I don’t even own one. I don’t miss it enough to go out and buy one, either.

There’s a great book called The Power of Full Engagement. From that book, Iearned the concept of replacement behavior: replace each bad behavior with a positive behavior. Doing so is a lot more effective than simply forcing yourself not to do the bad behavior.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[JG17]

It's a nice idea but seems like action faking to me. You feel pretty good about this idea right, enough to take a picture and post it on here at least.

Take the note off of your TV, throw it away. You don't need it.

What you do need is to work on your discipline. The best way to do that is to be able to have something but choose not to, get used to feeling uncomfortable and learning to resist urges. Build mental toughness, the ability to say 'no' to yourself and dictate your life. If you don't work on this then the sticky note isn't going to last long. If you can't choose to do one of your suggested tasks rather than watch TV then you need to work on your desire. If your desire to achieve your goals doesn't outweigh your desire to watch TV then what are you even doing?

You can't put sticky notes on your discipline or desire, but working on these characteristics, working on yourself, will help you far more in the long run than any sticky note ever will.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

My days are so full that there’s no time for TV

I think this short, succinct statement sums it up. When you got a lot of stuff going on and your driven for a higher calling, the TV just isn't on the forefront of one's mind, unless it aligns with your purpose, or is just a short respite from everything else.

For instance, Ill check out the Super Bowl more-so for the advertising commercials than the actual game.

 

[Zcott]

'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.'

This is from Aristotle, said over 2300 years ago. You can easily twist it and the same is true.

'We are what we repeatedly do. Laziness, then, is not an act but a habit.'

I read a book called 'The Personal MBA,' and in there the author made a good point saying the best way to start a new habit is to link it to an existing one.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[BigRomeDawg]

I only have a TV to watch an occasional movie. Next go-round might be to replace it with a projector so it's less obtrusive. I don't like how living rooms are focused around a TV rather than having people focused on each other.

 

[The Abundant Man]

I'm surprised entrepreneurs still have TVs.

I remember reading Elon Musk's biography that he plays video games...so whatever

 

[SquatchMan]

It's not going to change anything unless you replace the time with something productive. That's the more important part .

Anyway, I started a blog last year instead of watching TV or vegging on the internet. Currently at about 10k pageviews per month and make a couple hundred dollars each month. It's not much, but it's a hobby that I enjoy AND is somewhat productive.

So that's my advice. Quit the TV. Just make sure to replace it with ACTION or you'll be at the exact same point.

I mean, if you call and close enough clients, then you can just hire a maid to clean your room and a cook to bake you cookies.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Sander]

Meh..
The problem isn't TV - it's a lack of discipline. There's enough hours in a day to work, workout, spend time with your family, and unwind by watching something.

This.

It's not whether you own a TV or not that determines if you'll be successful.

It's not whether you wake up at 4 AM or 8 AM.

It's your discipline.

Early risers will have success.

Night owls will have success.

People with TV's will be succesful, and people without TV's will be succesful.

But focusing on topics like this have made self-help authors a crap lot of money.

 

[csalvato]

What will you do with the time you previously spent on TV?

 

[minivanman]

Did you unplug it, too?

Hey now!!! Don't be talking crazy!

I rarely watch tv (sometimes right before bed) but I am getting one for the garage this week and I asked my wife to order another cable box. Just about an hour ago my wife asked why I was getting one for the garage since I never watch it in the house. I didn't really have a great answer except I like watching Live PD. lol

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[luniac]

Consuming culture is important for the creative mind.

 

[LuckyPup]

I deleted my FB app long ago, as well as Amazon and Ebay.

Hey now!!! Don't be talking crazy!

I rarely watch tv (sometimes right before bed) but I am getting one for the garage this week and I asked my wife to order another cable box. Just about an hour ago my wife asked why I was getting one for the garage since I never watch it in the house. I didn't really have a great answer except I like watching Live PD. lol

I overstepped. I'm so sorry.

 

[Jello]

I like to watch TV. But in moderation.

I never put it on in the morning and watch the news in the gym when on a stationary bike. I don't like households where the TV is shouting from morning to night.

When at lunch I watch the news again. Late in the afternoon I like to watch CNBC or Bloomberg.

TV can be educational too. For example I love the show The Profit. Learned a lot from Marcus and those things where directly applicable in my own business.

And sometimes you have to unwind with nonsense like Family Guy.

Important is to have discipline and goals. Once you know what you want to achieve all you have to do is work on it. That comes first. And sometimes you need to relax. TV is a nice way to unwind.

Imo you need to write down on this piece of paper you've attached on your television;

Before turning this on did I work on my business today? Did I everything wat was on my to do list? If not don't turn it on!

If you don't have a goal yet. Don't turn on the TV yet but write on your to do list;

Find a goal!

 

[Roli]

Hopefully it works wonders.

What would work better, would be to unplug it and pack it away in another room, as Clear says, add friction to your bad habits (remove it from your good ones).

I need to find a way to do this with my pc games. Uninstalling probably won't do

Try uninstalling after each game you play, you'll be surprised if you have to go through all of that each time you play, you'll probably restrict your play to once a week, or even never.

Also not saving any of your progress is a good one, that way you don't obsess over digital gold, manna, coins or whatever.

I'm surprised entrepreneurs still have TVs.

Ones with kids do.

 

[socaldude]

The scariest thing to me is wasting time with things I'm not even aware of.

An example would be what happens in your mind at any given moment.

Are you really making progress if your thoughts are negative or just in general un-productive?

A passive mind with no self-awareness or problem solving is the biggest waste of time because it will get you nowhere.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

Oh no. Is today 2/3/19? The day of the super bowl?

Damn I missed it again. I miss it every single year.

I did go to the grocery store though. Great deals on the comfort foods most of us like for the big game. And the store was almost completely empty. Bonus there.

Oh well - there's always next year. If I don't have something more important to do. Last year I had to get a new trash bin for my office. It's always something keeping me away from the big game and the boob tube.

 

[SEBASTlAN]

I'm surprised entrepreneurs still have TVs.

 

[The Abundant Man]

What would work better, would be to unplug it and pack it away in another room, as Clear says, add friction to your bad habits (remove it from your good ones).



Try uninstalling after each game you play, you'll be surprised if you have to go through all of that each time you play, you'll probably restrict your play to once a week, or even never.

Also not saving any of your progress is a good one, that way you don't obsess over digital gold, manna, coins or whatever.



Ones with kids do.

I played outside in the woods all throughout my elementary school years. Kids don't need TVs

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Surf16]

I grew up with a TV in every room. I now have one in every room as well. I thought it was completely normal.
My wife thought I was crazy.
I only have a few shows I watch and the rest is Football (a lot less lately) and combat sports.
In my office I have started listening to MJ's youtube channel on my TV.
I agree it can be a huge distraction, but with that being said anything can be a distraction if you aren't focused.
I read a lot and constantly put my time and energy into my businesses.
For me TV is strictly for entertainment.
We do not play video games in our household. That too me is wasted time.
We go outside, surf, play football, practice Krav Maga, etc.
TV is what you make of it.
If you want to watch mindless crap all day you will find a way. Youtube, phones, iPads all of those are the same thing.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Roli]

I played outside in the woods all throughout my elementary school years. Kids don't need TVs

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

In the context of the 21st century in the middle of a city, they don't need it, however they will be exposed to it via their friends. By depriving an 8 year old of TV all I would be doing is creating a huge desire for it, leading her to binge later on.

Rather, I'm teaching her to use it responsibly, she watches it mainly on the weekend, and Fridays after school.

For instance I've tried keeping her away from MacDonald's, she's never tasted it, I tell her it's poison, however her friends all love it and so now she badly wants to taste it. This is what happens if you ban stuff for what they see as no good reason.

If I lived in the middle of the woods with other wood-dwelling folk, then maybe I could get away with no Maccy Ds and no TV...

 

[richstone.io]

After reading James Clear book, "Atomic Habits" - I decided to change my environment up a little bit so I don't fall into the same routines and time depleting habits.
What are some specific actions you've taken to change a habit?

In the last years, I used to "relax" sometimes in front of the TV or watch stuff while eating. One day I thought that I'd like to do something more purposeful and decided, probably inspired by Ryan Holiday's binge reader blog post, that I will be a book addict from now on. Whenever I am alone and my energy levels are near zero, or I am eating, or walking, I'd plug in the ear pods or get myself a book. This is strategy is kind of habit replacement (I wonder that James Clear talks so very little about that) combining it with something that I find fun to discuss with people. If you can find something like this, it could make quite some impact on your life.

I also found a fresh working solution for the obtrusive apps on my phone when I switched back from iPhone to Android this year. Every app that could evoke compulsive behavior goes to the so-called "secured folder" which I have set a password for. Finding this secure folder and having to use a password are enough barriers to not even think about checking Telegram for new messages (I have most notifications turned off). But it still keeps me flexible if I really need to access some of the apps for communication.