Childish things

There is too much information, and education, and entertainment for anybody to consume in a lifetime. We have to be selective in what we let in. Saying no to projects and distractions is more important today then ever before in history. (And it will continue to become more important.) Delete the things that take 80% of your time but only being 20% of their value. Some tips on how to rescue your time and to do work that matters:

  • Fire the customers that bring little value and take up a significant amount time. (What could you do for the customers you keep now that you have freed up all of this extra time?)
  • Check your email. But only do it once (maybe twice) a day.
  • Become disciplined in how you check your feed. It’s easy to think that getting likes, or posting pictures, or sending tweets is busy and productive work. But it’s not. It’s a form of hiding and keeping us from doing the work that matters.
  • Cancel your subscriptions: Netflix, Xbox, Cable, whatever.
  • Avoid watching live TV. Try watching only one of your favorite shows. In fact, quit watching TV all together. (You will find a significant edge by doing this.)
  • Get rid of your commute by working close to home.
  • If you can’t avoid a long commute, make it productive. Listen to an audio book instead of music.
  • Avoid web surfing. Sign up for a RSS Feed.
  • Fill something in your lunch hour by doing something productive: exercise, read, write.
  • Make commitments and promises. Keep them.
  • Start a project. Finish a project. Ship your best work.
  • Write a blog. Everyday. Doesn’t matter if no one reads it.
  • Commit to getting up one hour (or two) earlier than you normally do.
  • Write a letter. It’s much more personal than an email.
  • Volunteer. Use your talents around the community. We need you.
  • Become debt free. It will change your marriage and how you view money.
  • Spend one night a week with your family.
  • Make a connection. The goal is not to change everyone. Change someone.

Paul’s advice from 2,000 years ago is still relevant today, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Your attention is a finite resource. The way you use it may make all of the difference.