Breaking the TV habit
This is something I’m having a real problem with right now. For a while I go without television, or at least I think I do, and feel quite good about myself. Then I suddenly find myself sitting in-front of the tv one evening whilst trying to do some work on one of my projects. Inevitably I get next to nothing done and end up feeling more than a little frustrated with myself.
It’s not like I don’t have a lot of things to do. Since starting down the road towards Getting Things Done I have realised just how many things are on my list. That doesn’t worry me, which is how it should be, but when I waste an eveningĂ‚Â without even realising it I end up frustrated and annoyed with myself. Both of these feelings are counter-productive.
So what should I do? Here are a couple of ideas I’ve had:
- Don’t turn the television on - Simple, yet effective. Also, it’s surprisingly difficult to do if you’re like me and seem to need that background noise.
- Check the schedule first - If there’s nothing on that you like it helps justify your decision not to turn the television on in the first place. Unless you’re a fan of reality tv and other low-quality productions you’re likely to find that there really is nothing on.
- Don’t work in a room with a television - Aside from the fact that you’re likely to flick the tv on when looking up from your laptop, the sofa is not the best place to work unless you want crippling back pain after a week or so.
- Work when your partner works - My wife tends to spend a lot of time on her laptop performing various tasks or out in the garden performing maintenance once the kids have gone to bed. This is the only time either of us have for getting things done that aren’t directly related to the working day. Both working around the kitchen table also gives us the chance to communicate more than we would if we were watching tv. It’s much more enjoyable and we both get things done with far less distraction. She can do it, so why can’t I?
- Have a reward (non-television related!) at a set time in the evening - Something you enjoy doing. This could also be something productive like reading a book before bed. If I get my work done I feel relaxed and can spend time reading before falling asleep. If I don’t get anything done I feel annoyed and just go to bed late! I have so many books I want to read and not doing that causes even more frustration.
I’m not saying I do these things, in fact I know that I don’t. But I also know that they do work from the odd time I have done it either by accident or will power (more often the former!). If you have any other ideas then please let me know.
…and yes, I know throwing the television away would be one of them. I don’t think I’m quite ready to take that step yet 
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