Talane’s Blog of the Week, April 23, 2007

A Classic Tip from Talane . . .
Turn Off Your Television
Excerpted from bestselling book Coach Yourself to Success by Talane Miedaner

High "flow" activities are when we are having optimal experiences, when we are happiest, with our minds actively engaged, the times that make all life worth living. Not surprisingly, watching television is one of the lowest-flow activities. What does that mean? TV drains your energy. It is addictive in much the same way that food, caffeine, gambling, alcohol, or any other overused substance or activity is addictive. Not only is it a socially acceptable addiction, like caffeine, it is socially encouraged. The typical American watches over six hours of TV a day. That adds up to forty-two hours week – enough for a full-time job! And you thought you didn't have enough time. Just give your TV to a friend for a week and see how much time you'll have.

One client used to watch a morning news program while getting ready for work. As an experiment, I suggested that he stop for one week. He was amazed. He felt more peaceful and organized. Another client replaced TV by listing all the fun activities or courses she had always wanted to do but never seemed to have time for. She jumped in and found that she didn't miss TV at all and her social life started to percolate. If you live alone, television can give you the illusion you are with other people.

Try limiting your TV viewing to consciously selected programs and turn the set off when they are over. Decide how many hours a week you will watch and stick to it. Beware! Television is more costly than you realize and actually reduces your ability to attract what you want in life.