It you want the CliffsNotes version of this article, here you go:
Television can change your life when you . . . turn it off.
Of course, the CliffsNotes version of anything leaves out some important components and ideas of any message - and that`s the case here too.
I`m not necessarily suggesting to never watch television, in part because I don`t want to advocate something that I don`t do.
I watch television. I watch less than the national averages, but I do watch.
And sometimes I watch much more than at other times - in part because the networks are good at advertising their own programming. If you are like me, the more I watch, the more I watch.
What I am advocating is a simple formula, in relationship to your television - and that`s relevant to everyone - regardless of how much television you currently watch.
One Decision + One Button = Massive Opportunity
Let`s start with the right side of the equation.
Massive Opportunity
Here are some questions for you to consider:
• Do I have a goal that I`m not making the progress on that I would like to?
• Are there people I keep saying "I want to get together with"?
• Do I have a book (or a stack of books) that I really want to read, but never get to?
• Or a stack of magazines, journals or newspapers?
• Do I have a home project that I never seem to get to?
• Do I have a hobby that I don`t get as much time to work on as I would like?
• Do I have trouble finding the time to exercise?
That list could have been doubled or tripled. And underneath each one is the bigger question.
How badly do I really want these things?
And more directly . . . are you willing to trade television time for any of them?
If you are watching more than 30 minutes of television a day currently, your behavior says the answer to that question is no.
The reality may be that you haven`t thought about it that way, or you have allowed the habit of television to keep you from things that truly are more important to you.
If there are things on the list that are more important than TV - reducing television time gives you the time to reach those goals.
So now let`s go back to the left side of our equation:
One Decision + One Button = Massive Opportunity
One Decision
The biggest challenge with television for many is not thinking about it as a decision, it just gets turned on . . . without thinking about it - because it is a habit.
Without preaching or giving you thirty things to think about or feel guilty about when considering the questions above, I urge you to make just one decision.
Decide to turn on the television only when there is something on that you really want to watch. Don`t turn it on to "see what it on."
The habit of turning on the TV takes it out of conscious decision. Make the decision consciously, and you will be amazed at how much time will magically show up in your life.
One Button
By now you have figured out the one button, haven`t you?
It`s the power button on your TV or remote.
Once you`ve made the decision, all you have to do is push that one button to turn the power off - or to turn it on intentionally.
Television can be a wonderful way to be entertained, informed and even inspired. It can be a way to gather with those near you and enjoy time together (though it is far from the only or even best way to do this).
But when television becomes an unconscious habit, it gets in the way of living the life you are meant to live, and reaching the levels of happiness, productivity and results you deserve.
Apply the formula for yourself every day - One Decision + One
Button = Massive Opportunity - and I guarantee you can use your television to change your life.
Potential Pointer: Consider your television as a tool - and remember it has an off switch that you can use consciously. Make intentional choices about your television viewing and you will magically manufacture more time in your life to create the life you deserve!
About the Author:
Consider participating in a free 2-month Silver Membership trial in Kevin Eikenberry's Remarkable Leadership Learning System at
http://www.remarkable-leadership.com/campaigns/silver-member-special-offer.asp. Kevin is an author, speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://www.KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps organizations, teams and individuals unleash their leadership potential.