Don't watch TV. Especially college sports.
That is all.
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Notes and sources for the book
FREE was available in all digital forms--ebook, web book, and audiobook--for free shortly after the hardcover was published on July 7th. The ebook and web book were free for a limited time and limited to certain geographic regions as determined by each national publisher; the unabridged MP3 audiobook (get zip file here) will remain free forever, available in all regions.
Order the hardcover now!
Chris,
My TV popped duringthe Super Bowl (halftime) and I didn't replace it. In the last seven months, I've re-read my favorite novelists, written half of a new book (first time in three years), and doubled my blogging output.
Now comes the problem. Next month I'm moving into a place that includes a TV and FREE cable. Sure, I'll probably throw a blanket over the thing, but the Cetlics are going to be decent for the first time in 20 years, so it's as if life is conspiring against me.
Which reminds me, broadcast TV and radio in the US are probably one of the most successful business model Free has ever seen. They get to give away an addictive product and make it up with advertising. Who says we web entrepreneurs are something new under the sun:-)
Morris
Posted by: Morris Rosenthal | August 10, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Or my personal productivity rule: _Only_ watch college spots. OK, I watch the NFL too but not watching on weekdays has helped.
Rule #2 If you think you want to see something, tivo it. Later you can either watch and skip commercials or forget all about it.
After all, if it's on tv someone will twitter about it.
Posted by: Susan Reynolds | August 10, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Or my personal productivity rule: _Only_ watch college spots. OK, I watch the NFL too but not watching on weekdays has helped.
Rule #2 If you think you want to see something, tivo it. Later you can either watch and skip commercials or forget all about it.
After all, if it's on tv someone will twitter about it.
Posted by: Susan Reynolds | August 10, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Or my personal productivity rule: _Only_ watch college spots. OK, I watch the NFL too but not watching on weekdays has helped.
Rule #2 If you think you want to see something, tivo it. Later you can either watch and skip commercials or forget all about it.
After all, if it's on tv someone will twitter about it.
Posted by: Susan Reynolds | August 10, 2007 at 02:30 PM
I second the "Don't watch TV". I was ever hopeful that I would learn something really useful, the BBC used to put some Open University programmes on BBC2 in the early 80's, but then I was lured to the dark side by Children's TV.
Posted by: MonkeyMagic698 | August 10, 2007 at 03:00 PM
1. Don't watch tv...
2. Don't stare at your PC screen
2.1 Don't stumble
2.2 Don't friendsterize
2.3 Don't myspacify
Posted by: Unsub | August 11, 2007 at 04:16 AM
I always have TV on but sit with my back to it and the cartoon stations turned on. Good background noise...lol
Posted by: Deb. | August 11, 2007 at 10:30 AM
I am constantly telling my teenager to take a break from MySpace and watch some TV... Which is more mind numbing?
Posted by: Eric | August 12, 2007 at 03:11 PM
LOL.
I actually stoped watching TV, but as others said - turned to other (more web like) attractions.
One of my most loved blogs on the subject is:
http://zenhabits.net
Enjoy...
Tal.
Posted by: Tal Galili | August 18, 2007 at 04:25 AM
No way- how can you choose college sports as the one thing to definitely NOT watch on TV. If there is any good TV to watch, its college sports. I never liked watching professional sports.
Oh well, to each his own.
I don't watch a lot of TV, but do DVD's count?
http://www.entrepreneur.com.sg
Posted by: Kathleen | August 23, 2007 at 05:05 AM
Sacrificing television for blog reading and writing has added an interesting twist to productivity. This replacement also generates even more conversation and debate than televised sports.
Posted by: Roberta Murphy | September 03, 2007 at 07:52 AM
I am definitely not a big TV watcher. Not much time for all those shows. Seem to be spending my time blogging and reading others.
Posted by: Gena Riede | September 03, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Totally 100% agree with you. Grew up without TV... gave it up during grad school... gave it up again 2 years ago and have never been more productive. Total and complete waste of time.
Posted by: Maria H. Andersen | September 11, 2007 at 05:39 AM
thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
Posted by: kabin | June 13, 2009 at 10:27 AM