Get IN the Game
Now that the Super Bowl is over, it’s time to get out of the stands and into the game of YOUR life.
Now I’m all for the spirit, entertainment and release that goes along with cheering on a sports team. At the same time, I do find it odd that many people spend time following and studying the lives of other people more than they do their own.
Again, catching a sporting event when it is on is all good fun; I watched the Super Bowl too (cost me money too – lost a bet with my ‘cheese head’ editor in chief). What I’m talking about is the investment some people give to the sports and careers other people are playing and living.
Think about it: What if the time you spend…
- reading the sports page, you read a self-improvement book?
- listening to sports talk radio, you listen to an instructional CD?
- watching ESPN or Sports Center, you watch a seminar DVD or read a book?
- talking about sports scores and players, you talk about your goals and plans to achieve them?
- playing fantasy sports, you role-play your key skills training?
How would the trade of that time investment change your life scores and statistics? I’m certain it would make YOU victorious… and far happier.
Oh, and let’s not leave out the non-sports fans. What if the time you spend…
- reading People magazine and other gossip rags, you read SUCCESS magazine?
- watching E! Entertainment, TMZ or Access Hollywood, you watched a seminar DVD or read a book?
- watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Real Housewives, or Jersey Shore, you read a book about YOUR reality?
- talking (or gossiping) about other people’s lives and foibles, you talked about your lessons learned in life and plans for growth?
How would the trade of that time investment change your life scores and statistics? I’m certain it would make you victorious, and far happier.
E2E Ratio (Entertainment to Education Ratio)
When I interviewed Brian Tracy he had a great equation I’d like to pass on to you. He explained the primary difference between the 5 percent of people who are wealthy and those who are not is that the 95 percent focus their attention and extra time on entertainment, while the wealthy 5 percent invest their extra time in education.
Am I saying that anytime spent on any of the above for entertainment value is a bad thing? Of course not. What I am suggesting you look at, however, is the balance between the time you spend watching other people live out their dreams and the time you spend on making yours come true.
Last tip: Practice, train, develop, focus, and work as hard at your skills and career as the people you watch and admire do at theirs. Imagine that!
How does your E2E ratio look? Share what you do to keep this in balance in the comments below.
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Comments
Yay Packers!!!!!
As someone who don’t know much the lives of celebs and players but am amazed by some who do, I asked myself, am I any better for just watching it too much?
Using your journal of the best year ever, I have limited by tv time for only an hour a night, and even then, rather spend it with friends.
The rest of day, like you suggested, I study in the morning, do good work the rest of the day, perhaps a bit tv or other things in the evening, and end off with a book either fiction or non.
Doing this I have found myself more creative, doing more action, and truly going to live the best year ever.
That said, Go JETS!!!
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I stopped watching TV almost completely. Love music so in the car I switch between educational CDs (also CDs from Success magazine!) and music to keep me happy and interested
. I find your posts and articles very motivating, thanks Darren!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Thanks! Gotta love the Rolling University with CDs from SUCCESS!
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Keith Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I love the Success CDs…which reminds me my subscription should be arriving any minute. Thanks again Darren for this wake up call and time for us 5%ers to get moving!! (You should be happy to know that I have recruited my sister to be a Success reader!)
Keith!
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Babu Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Agreed with that, but Is life only about self-improvements, seminars, goals and achievements?
I think it isn’t, Life has to offer something much more than that..the thrill I got when Michael Owen scored that winning goal against Manchester City, when Rafael Nadal won the Wimbledon finals beating Roger 9-7, When Sreesanth took the catch off Misbah, Sachin scored that 98 against Pakistan, Macheda’s winner against Aston Villa etc – I can go on and on…All incredible moments, create goosebumps in you when you replay and revisit..I have absolutely no regret being this way!!
I would be encouraged if anyone asks me to strike a balance between entertainment and education!! I certainly will be the first to agree!
On the contrary, I believe – when people stay away from the television completely, they deprive themselves from a glorious charm which will be never attained elsewhere!!
Live isn’t all that mechanical…I didn’t arrive in the world only to become a scholar or a whizz-kid or a Philosopher or anything similar…I came to live!
There will be a lot of disagreements for my comments, but I’m sure there will be a few agreeing to and am happy with them!
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Ulrike from Germany Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 3:22 am
Babu,
I agree with you, we’ve all come to the world to live, to experience joy and thrill and excitement. But sitting at home on your couch and watching OTHER PEOPLE perform, struggle, win and score goals … do you call this life?
I prefer getting goosebumps from my own achievements, being out of breath because I have done something amazing or being devastated because a dream I had didn’t materialize. What you describe sounds to me like living a second-hand life; watching what other people do, getting your joy out of other people’s activities …
Glorious charm which will be never attained elsewhere?? Pleeeease! I can think of thousand other ways to experience glory and memorable moments than watching telly and cheering on people I’ve never met personally and who don’t even know me …
Okay, I got to go now. I got a life to live …
Best,
Ulrike
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Babu Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 7:31 am
Ulrike,
“memorable moments than watching telly and cheering on people I’ve never met personally and who don’t even know me” – if everyone is happy only about the successes of their own and their dear ones, there isn’t anything called as celebrating others’ success!
It’s simple Ulrike – anything which I aspire to do but not been blessed with the ability to do, if I see someone else doing that, I’ll cheer that!
I’m not about my successes alone, I feel happy when others achieve too (whom I’ve never met personally or who don’t even know me)
As Indians we all value Gandhiji for what he has done to the country – Many of us never met him, nor did he know us…we still cheered for him, right!!
Sport is tough business, it’s good to value the ones who succeed in that!! I know there are many other avenues which are as tough or tougher, but typically in this column, there are multiple times ‘sport’ and that was something I didn’t like!
With no disrespect to you – Maybe you are all about yourself – I’m not!!
You may “Go Live your LIFE”
Thanks
Babu
PS: “No offences meant to anyone, all these are purely my beliefs and thoughts”
Keith Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 7:14 am
Babu
Although I disagree with you I will give you credit for standing up for your belief, However I challenge you to practice what Darren is talking about (E2E) for 30 days and see if you do not have a different option after doing so. Orrin Woodward gave a talk called Head, Heart, Hunger. It starts in your head it’s a choice then it moves to your heart which leads to the hunger to make a difference. The difference you make is up to you (us) you are either adding too or taking away from life. When you understand that adding value to yourself adds value to others you start to think of what your values are. Enough said God Bless
Keith MI
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Babu Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 7:34 am
Thanks Keith!!
Sure, will try practicing what Darren says and check if my perspective changes!
Parin Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I agree with Babu here in the sense that life is about striking a balance.
Watching your favorite sport, movie, or simply listening to your favorite music, can be very motivational and inspirational. Any of the moments you listed above are simply amazing sporting moments
Watching some of your favorite shows can always keep you laughing and put a smile on your face.
But if all your time is consumed by this and is taking away from your goals and dreams (i.e. starting a company, becoming a professional athlete, musician, actor, etc.), then that’s when I’d say you need to take a step back and assess how you’re spending your time.
And the same goes for personal development material. It’s great to read and learn all these tips, but if all your doing is reading and not acting, then that’s no different than spending all your time watching tv or sports for example.
Regardless of how you get your inspiration or learn about your craft, it all comes down to taking action! It’s up to YOU and ONLY YOU – no one else.
So I believe the key is in being proactive and taking action towards your goals and dreams.
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keith Mhlanga Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 9:18 am
fantastic advise I couldn’t agree with you more, Life has to be balanced to be fully enjoyed. Regimented life becomes monotous and boring,we were meant to be alive from every sense of our life.
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I asked something similar to this on my Facebook page awhile ago. I was told I needed to lighten up and have some fun with life. I’m interested in seeing the response to this!
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Polly Scott Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Joe,
I’ve found that people who don’t do what it takes to be successful don’t like it when you do.
A phenomena my husband and I have discovered is that if you tell people you do not own a TV (which we don’t) they will immediately tell you they do not watch TV that much themselves. But if you are around them for awhile, they will be telling you something about many television shows.
People aren’t comfortable with those who are successful when they’re not.
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Kathy Tremblay Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 8:59 am
Hi Polly,
I loved hearing that you and your husband have noticed that same trend – when you’ll tell someone that you don’t watch TV, and then they’ll suddenly tell you they don’t either.
We do not own a TV in our prime home (in NH) – and we have noticed similar scenarios.
We’ll also notice the same thing in other areas of our lives. For example, we avoid buying most processed foods and cook primarily from scratch. We have also been gravitating to adding more raw foods as well. We’ll notice, when we mention it, that people will instantly say, “Oh, we don’t buy anything with (this or that) in it either!” but the next time we’re visiting their home, what do you suppose we see? Yup! An entire kitchen FILLED with processed foods…
By the way… Here’s a “my bad…” We rent a winter place on the coast which comes with SIX televisions – and we find ourselves getting “sucked in” at night a bit while we’re down here. It’s almost like it’s a novelty.
Kath
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Sounds like you might need to post this on your Facebook and prove that you’re not alone, Joe.
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Ted Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 8:14 am
I have been avoiding the news, and television for about a year and a half now and if you listen to people you can tell what they watch and listen too, it tends to skew there perspective of things. I have heard many comments as to my lack of being in touch with the world when I am not up on the latest garbage. I love it though, and have found that whenever anything happens that is remotely important I hear about it from all the watchers. My results have been better focus, peace, and a much happier life in general, not to mention alot of extra time. So keep it up.:)
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Tara Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 11:26 am
I found the same thing with Facebook. All of the people nay say when i post something to a positive effect. However, once i achieve whatever it is i’m preaching then they want my help. It’s hysterical to watch these same nay sayers converse about what’s going on on what TV show, like it effects their lives in any way. It’s not reality, they live in this fantasy world of tv and fiction, and snooki. Give me a break. I would rather spend my time self improving, and in the warmer months taking in the glorious scenery of life, than worrying about who’s scoring the next goal, contract, etc just to get a chill or goose bumps. go shovel snow.. you’ll get a good chill.
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As a recent college graduate, this article brings me confidence in that the path I am headed is going to result in a future of great success. I have started to develop the necessary habits that you often mention that I believe will lead towards achieving remarkable results.
While at work I am normally listening to audio of books/interviews that are related to self development. Outside of that I find myself working as much as possible and keeping a fun balanced social life for a 25 yr old bachelor.
Thank you Darren for being an inspiration and I hope to someday have the opportunity to be an influence to my age group.
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I don’t watch television. I don’t have the patience for it and I find the majority of the programming insulting. Or I find the news and entertainment shows so boring and fraught with “bad” news that I feel like they crowd my head with un-necessary garbage.
I used to find myself in awkward situations with people who wanted to talk about their favorite tv shows. Now, I hold my head up high and say, “I don’t watch television, I’d love to talk to you, but do you mind if we discuss something other than American Idol, Housewives of…,etc?” Some people ask me “how can I go without watching tv?” And, I say, “it’s a choice I’ve made, I don’t miss it.”
I read motivational materials constantly and listen to CD’s (Success mag) in the car and I have a constant positive attitude. I wouldn’t have time for that if I was listening to talk-radio and watching tv. I feel great about my life; even with some huge hurdles I need to over come.
Why would I choose to make time and room for all that negative chatter if this formula is working so well?
Thanks, Darren. Love the magazine, blog, CD’s RSS feeds, etc…. If you produce it, I will read it/hear it. All the best!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I completely agree with you, Victoria. Have you read this post on hitting the ‘OFF’ button?: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2010/03/how-to-change-the-world/ Might want to share it with next time you find yourself with someone who only want to talk about their favorite TV shows.
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Great post, Darren.
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I’ve been fortunate enough over the past few years to get more clear on my values and priorities. I still make time for entertainment,recreation, vacations, family, friends, spirituality and more- I just utilize the hours that I’m awake now far better than I used to. I establish written priorities each week that must be done for both my personal life and business, and also allot periods of time for everything else including rest and meditation.
My goals are written down in a crystal clear manner so I know what I’m working towards and don’t have to feel lost. The past two years running I’ve achieved all the ones I’ve set for myself and procrastination has become rarer.
During the time slated to do the “extras,” I can do whatever I feel like doing at the moment. That might be watching tv or a movie, taking a walk, going swimming, reading a fiction book or magazine or anything else.
I also schedule time in my schedule weekly for self-learning. During that time I read,listen to telecalls or webinars, do home study with courses that I’ve bought, do research,etc. I also find time to volunteer. I do invest in online courses, live events, workshops,etc. as well.
I’m not wealthy yet in the monetary sense, although I’m making better financial decisions already so am definitely making progress in that area. What I am quite rich in is how fulfilling my life is and how blessed I am with a wonderful marriage, awesome family and friends, and work which I love doing.
It feels really good to know what my purpose is, to be learning new things all the time, spending quality time with people who are goal-setters taking action like I am and who inspire me, to be helping others, and creating positive habits. Life is exciting and joy-filled! I highly recommend spending time daily learning. It’s rewarding in numerous ways. I also thoroughly enjoy sharing what I learn with others and applying it in my life and business.Try it!
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Darren,
my blog, posted today (actually a rewrite/retooling originally written last year) has the exact same theme, it’s called Time in a Bottle, check it out and let me know what you think.
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I think that there definitely needs to be a balance. A limited (very limited) amount of mindless entertainment can provide ideas or insights on what’s happening from a cultural perspective. Plus, keeping current on entertainment topics can provide some level of relationship building discussion with clients and prospects (again – limited!!!) The DVR is a wonderful invention – you can tape a show and then watch a 60 minute show in 30 minutes! Although I devote much of my time to education, reading, exercise and of course, my career, keeping up with current topics such as the trash tv and sporting events does help to “break the ice” when attending conferences with prospects and clients – at least there is something to discuss other than politics and religion!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
If you didn’t already know, Nellie, I’ll tell you now: I HATE chitchat! Here are some techniques to help your conversations become more meaningful: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2009/12/chitchat/
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Kathy Tremblay Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Darren,
I just read your post about Chit Chat. LOVED it!
My husband and I have a little “code phrase” that we use with one another when we find ourselves getting bored by chit-chat around us. We’ll just look at one another and say,
“so how ’bout them Yankees…” or Red Sox or whatever.
The funny thing is, sometimes if someone overhears us say that, they’ll actually want to talk about “them Yankees…”
Thanks for the great content!
Kath
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Funny, my wife and my signal is a swipe to the nose… inspired by The Sting with Robert Redford. It’s our signal for “please rescue me!”
Hi Darren,
Nice post. I hope your year has gotten off to a great start. By the way doesn’t W. Clement Stone say you be come like the books you read and the people you hang out with?
Well I am on my second year of reading “only” personal development books and listening to powerful audio CD’s while in the car. I am finely starting to see a difference. Its sinking in I went from a level 1 in personal development “unconscious incompetence ” to level 3 “conscious competence”
I never thought it would happen it is a struggle.But we all know the alternative. I did have to go out and find some new friends.
For the few out there keep reading the right books and always listen to the right CD’s while in the car over and over and over again. You will become “unconsciously Competent” Level 4 if just keep doing it. By the way look whats above the 4 on the 4 key on your key board $.
Thank you Darren for what you do with who you are
Kenny I
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
I believe the W. Clement Stone quote you are looking for is this: “Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.”
Kudos for making the CHOICE to better your life, Kenny!
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Darren,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – it benefits both our mind and soul. Life for me has been so much more fun and exciting since I started investing time and money on my personal development.
My passion is to help people live a life where dreams come true. And, I believe one of the most powerful tools to accomplishing this is through a dream or vision board. Currently, I’m creating a Dream Board Party that will provide a structural environment for those like myself who have always had the intention to create their dream board, but never got around to doing because they get caught up with the busyness of life. The event will happen on February 27, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. The evening will be inspiring, powerful and fun.
Darren, who do you know that would love to take advantage of this opportunity to share their experience with dream boards and inspire many with their story?
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no way for time keler’s
we need to go on the goolden roud
edu….it’s never stop. time yes
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One of my favorite quotes is “the only investment where you will get a 100% return all the time are those you make in yourself”, it gets across the same message as this post. This post was a welcome reminder to me to not get weary during my season of sowing because I know that this time and effort I’m expending will certainly result in a bountiful harvest. With the help of Living Your Best Year Ever and The Compound Effect I have a system in place where despite whether or not I I get everything done daily that I plan to do at least I have a barometer that enables me recognize how much further away or how much closer I am to achieving my goals.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Awesome, Sarah! I’m so glad both Living Your Best Year Ever and The Compound Effect are helping you achieve your goals. Keep up the great work!
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As I focus on building my business, television has really taken a backseat. I read the paper every morning to stay current (Tim Ferris would have a problem with that). And I seek out information which adds to my knowledge all the time…to the point of wanting to stay up too late reading it. I have to actually remember to go the other way and take time for entertainment. So that said, I’m working with friends to launch a cover band. That oughtta do it. And tv will continue to take a back seat…until I have my own show. : )
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Best of luck with the cover band, Clare! LOVE the idea, especially instead of TV!
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Ever since your interview with Brian Tracy, I keep a post-it note on my TV remote with the letters “E vs E” written on it. This constant reminder lets me know that every time I turn the TV on, I need to be aware of how my time is being spent.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
GREAT idea, Paul! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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We keep our TVs off virtually all the time. Also, we don’t own flat screens, and have the lowest grade DirecTV service. We’re seriously thinking of a) cutting the chord altogether; upgrading to flat screens with laptops and/or ROKU boxes connected to watch educational fare (Charlie Rose, TED talks, etc.) only.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Check out this post, Steve: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2010/03/how-to-change-the-world/ Hopefully it’ll help making the decision to cut the cord a bit easier.
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Steve Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Mr. Hardy–I’ve read and re-read that excellent post. And it has fueled some interesting conversations with my wife. Thanks for re-posting the link (and I can’t believe I mis-spelled ‘cord’).
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Unfortunately I do not have the time to be watching sports and to be all so excited,falling over myself, talking about all day, like many people do, even betting on the games. True I need to be more sporty taking time to enjoy myself too. I’m so wrapped up in my own inabillities and unacomplishments that, I’ve got to spend time analytically, realize what it takes to manifest this life, with all the miss-trainings, and incapacities of life. So I still prefer to be playing, being part of, entertaining, rather than watching others earn billions of dollars having fun, while I’ve still got to deal with lifes in-efficiencies, in all our blindness. There are ways that I could make lots of improvements in life, but who would want to hear or realize any part of it. Lifes imballances ??????
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How does your E2E ratio look?
Education 95% Entertainment 5%. The funny part is that education has always felt like entertainment to me. Learning, growth, & helping others is what fulfills my core being.
Share what you do to keep this in balance in the comments below:
Darren, my priorities (health, family, career, philanthropy) aligned with my goals are what keep this in balance. The activity on my weekly calendar is the accountability and that is what really supports my goals to become reality.
Have a happy, healthy, & terrific week!
Barry
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Darren, thank you so much for all your hard work and advice you give every day through social media, and every month in Success Magazine. I have a question for you. After completing “The Compound Effect” last month (which I loved), I have been trying to follow up on most if not all of the topics you covered. News in particular I am concerned with. I replaced most of my TV watching, newpaper reading, and radio with positive material. The only problem is, since I haven’t been staying current on local and world news, I had no idea about the crisis in Egypt. I felt pretty dumb not knowing what was going on when all my co-workers were discussing it. How do you filter out the bad news from the important news in your everyday life?
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
What crisis in Egypt? (I’m only half joking).
You can catch the gist of all news (if you must) in less than 20min a day by aggregating news feeds into an RSS reader or skim your favorite news site or iPhone, iPad app.
I spend zero and still get the gist of what’s happening in THE world leaving me 100% available to focus on improving MY world.
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This is so true. Everyone needs to work on their self-improvement. The best investment one can make is an investment in themselves.
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Thanks for this excellent post, Darren!
I’m about as big a fan of my college football and basketball team (West Virginia University) as you’ll find, and your article hit me hard. Not only is every game an event for myself and my family (not so much the problem), but I also follow recruiting, etc during the off-periods and it ultimately takes up way too much of my time.
I promised to make this my best year ever–my time will be better spent elsewhere to ensure that happens. Thank you once again for helping put things into perspective.
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I usually find myself watching TV for about 6 hours daily. I now cut back to sometimes one hour or even less. I am seeing the effects of this change as i now use the time to read self-development books/material. What an awesome difference.
Thanks Darren!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
KUDOS, Dave!!!
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Faith, Spouse, Family, Fitness, Finance
Educate your self in this area every day and you will soon find out TV and chit chat has no room in your life”. AS Orren Woodward Once Said if it is bad enough some one will tell me about it” other wise keep learning on the things that you can make a DIFFERENCE in and let the world worry about the word and may all the glory of your success glorify God
Thanks to all the leadership that has help me be a success Keith MI.
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Thank you Darren for a great blog! I’m so into Success, Living Your Best Year, and learning entrepreneurship, health, wealth and relationships with a splash of fashion, travel, food and wine
that I’ve been called a “dork” many times. I laugh and say thanks I’m growing myself. Loving learning and growing. On the way home from Palm Springs where I spent the last 24hrs working out, journaling to narrow down my passion for blog, and connecting with my spouse at the end of his work day. On days I’m working like tomorrow, a copy of Living weekly and Success/Smart
Money/Oprah mags for something positive to talk about. I throw
away celebrity magazines in the office.
Excited to check the mail and receive Compound Effect;-)
Thank you!
ps: I still watch one hour of tv on Sunday on showtime but no ads.
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Good Morning Mr Hardy,
I am here in WI where the Packers Frenzy is felt the most and I was really amazed at how much time, effort, and energy was put into a football team. Great to see people supporting a “cause”, but I couldn’t help but wonder: What if all (or even some) of that effort was put into a cause like St Jude Children’s Hospital? Or, say a person’s actual (versus fantasy) life? It is weird how many people think they are actually part of the team. (The unpaid part…)
I remember the interview with Brian Tracy when you guys talked about the average E:E ratio being 50 to 1 and I became determined that mine was going to be 1:1. The result is simple. Since then I feel 10 years younger, but most of my customers are dying from obesity, depression, or both. Why, because instead of putting down their fork and picking up their shoes, they are picking up the remote and putting down their families (in more ways than one). I applaud your message and encourage you to shout it from the rooftops!
Have a magical and educational week!!
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Love the post Darren..and agree with striking a good balance.
As a huge fan of Barcelona futbal, I do watch their games on TV when possible…meanwhile I’ve tuned-out the constant sports-talk blather, replacing it with spanish language cds! Thanks to you and your help via the “Ten Best Years” program I started in 2010! I’ve set a goal to see the Barca play in Spain in 2 years…so I’d better learn Spanish! Keep up the GREAT work!
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Hey Darren,
just came from another mindset session. You recommended a countdown timer
in your productivity success edition. Say, where can I get one?
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Gerald
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Here’s the countdown timer I use, Gerald: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018QLQ8K?ie=UTF8&tag=achiever-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0018QLQ8K
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Great article and very true. I am still a big sports fan, but over the years my level of interest has mellowed. Between a busy insurance career, a wife, and three little girls, my time spent watching sports on TV has dimished substantially.
Plus, I have become an avid reader, espcially non-fiction books to help improve my career, marriage, and parenting skills.
I actually now find myself bored or feel like I am wasting time when watching TV. Keep up the great work.
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Wow! Darren I love this blog. My husband and I have made some changes when we had our son that not only sets a great example for him but also improved our lives and our family quality time.
Some of the changes we made:
1) we got rid of cable because we were spending too much time trying to figure out what happened on this on that show and yes we were watching the crazy reality shows while saying “I can’t believe I am watching this. Are these people serious? They call this a show?” Well we were watching it right?
2) we started movie nights and just had some afternoons we would just be silly with our son and just be big kids and play any games he came up with.
3)With the extra time I started reading more, networking and doing something more meaningful with my life. My husband went back to school full time while working full time (we still get to be silly with our son with our busy schedule).
4) I love crime shows so the compromise for me now is I only watch them by doing something good for me. While I am on the treadmill sometimes at night sprinting, I am watching a show. I kill 2 birds with one stone and don’t feel that my time was waisted.
5) when doing slower cardio well I am listening to “The compound effect” or another educational audio book like “Think and Grow rich” that I listened to recently.
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When I was heading off to college I did not bring a TV with me. So living in the dorms there was no TV in my room. I developed the habit then to exclude most TV watching at an early age. Today some 20+ years later I only watch about 5 hours of TV a week because to me there is not much value received in 99% of the TV programming available. So, what do I do with my time. I spend more time on figuring out how I can design my own life that provides total freedom. I learn and apply the knowledge gained from personal development CDs/DVDs/books. I much rather spend time with my mentors like Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor, Brian Tracy, Darren Hardy etc.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Great testimony, Keith! Thanks for sharing and KUDOS on 20+ years well spent!
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I really like this post.
I completely agree that while entertainment is fun and definitely a great aspect of life, you have to strike a balance.
I love watching sports because you see some of the most incredible and inspirational moments. You can’t help but get energized and inspired when you watch some of your favorite teams and players perform at an elite level.
But if all your time is consumed by that, without taking any action in your own life – whether it’s starting that company you wanted, becoming ap rofessiona athlete or spending more time with your family – then red flags need to go up.
And I believe that this goes beyond just entertainment too.
It’s great to read personal development material and learn new strategies and even hear about athletes are reaching GREATness (i.e. Gary Player is the Feb issue of SUCCESS – loved that article). But if all we’re doing is reading and not acting and applying what we learn, that’s no different than spending countless hours on the couch in my opinion.
We hear it all the time – life is about balance. And I strongly believe this goes beyond just time spent behind music, movies, sports, etc.
At the end of the day, if you want to do something, it’s up to YOU and ONLY YOU to act on it. That’s it. There’s only so much you can read or watch.
If you have goals, plans, etc. it’s up to YOU to go out and act on them!
I watched a documentary about Buddha recently (“The Buddha” on PBS) and the Dalai Lama said it best:
“Everybody, every human being wants happiness and Buddha, he acts like teacher… You are your own master. Future, everything, depend on your own shoulder. Buddha’s responsibility is …just to show the path, that’s all.”
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Great post!
Always thought it was odd people would rather be the spectator than the one on the field. Whenever the opportunity arises, make the conscious choice to try and be the one on the field.
No monuments were erected to great spectators in life.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Excellent point, JZ!
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Thank you Darren for unselfishly sharing with all of us your wisdom ! Success and a better life are practically assured if we follow your principles of successful living. “The Compound Effect” is a wonderful addition to my library.
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By following your teachings and insights wouldn’t that also fall in the category of buying into your life style? I believe they is valuable teachings in watching sports programmes specially for the younger/older people on how to learn team building,leadership. When it comes to those reality shows you also learn I believe what not to do, You learn how to build strong valuable family bonds. Everyone and every situation we encounter wether painfully or joyfully has direct result in how we choose to live our lives.
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Keith Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Although I like the way you look to something and try to find the good. “Being a good finder” is certainly a quality trait. However I would like to test the question! Do we need to look for bad examples to find the good or learn what not to do? Or does life give us enough examples of what not to do on its Owen? Relating to “valuable teachings in watching sports programmes specially for the younger/older people on how to learn team building,leadership.” I would ask is what we see in sport on TV show the result of leadership, or does it show the how to side
Respectively Keith MI
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A 90-yr old client told me today that life happens so fast and that after being married for 37 years, those years still aren’t enough. She said that’s it wonderful having children and grandchildren to visit her now she’s older. So I appreciate even more living a great life with someone I love, families and friends, and not to waste time watching mindless TV or worrying much about the future. But to be grateful and present to take smart actions now for a better life. Because one day I will look back when I’m 100 and say “wow what an awesome ride!” and not have regrets. Thank you!
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Hey Darren,
thanks for sharing this secret with me. Just purchased a countdown
timer. Had to go with a different module, because the one you
suggested wasn´t deliverable to Austria.
Since applying your tips and tactics from success magazines,
spending more time with my own self improvement, my success
reached an entirely new level.
Before I was mostly focused on the technical aspect of my
business, and didnt´t pay enough attention to all criteria.
Obviously, if you´re mentally, physically, and spiritually fit,
you´ll experience GREAT success. If you´re lacking
discipline and consistency, even if you´re technically
a strong entrepreneur, you won´t reach the stars.
That´s probably the main reason why ordinary people
such as Brian Tracy got so far with their attitude.
Every time in the morning after I had breakfast, I go
to the bathroom and listen to one of the success cd´s,
because that helps me to start the day with an awesome
attitude and good mental conditions. Besides, every
evening during brushing my teeth and getting ready
for sleep, the same thing happens.
In just a few months, this alone had a big impact, and
contributed to an extraordinary change. By just investing
let´s say half an hour in your own mind EVERYDAY.
Thanks for everything. Would be my pleasure to
have some conversation with you soon!
All the best,
Gerald
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UN-conventional Wisdom = UN-conventional results
Instead of investing our lives in the service of our passion ,
We should begin to invest our passion in the service of our Life “
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Thank you Darren for this post! I lived in Atlanta for 2010. Because some opportunities came up. I decided not to get cable or satellite so I wouldn’t be distracted by TV. I watched the major events, programs that I love, that are inspiring to me- Oscars, Superbowl, Grammys. I watched movies & got my news online or at a sports bar. I’m an actress so entertainment is part of my world, viewing it is work. What I found was I was more creative, had less self-limiting beliefs because I wasn’t bombarded with images of people who didn’t look like me or negative stereotypes of people who do. I had more free space to create and visualize my ideal life.
I was able to accomplish many goals I’d previously put off or were afraid of. Not getting sucked into the vortex of TV, equipped with tools from “Living Your Best Year” (again thank you), my life coach, Success, and personal development CD/DVDs, I had a fantastic year. I completed a screenplay I’d put down for a few years, I completed a co-star role on a TV series (Drop Dead Diva), a supporting role in a feature film, co-wrote a stage play and began another, I brought the show I perform in. & co-produce in LA to Atlanta- selling out 2 of 3 shows, and completed a 5 week women’s empowerment workshop associated with the play! I rocked 2010!
Well, I am back in Los angeles and admittedly have gotten sucked back into the TV wasteland. Even though I mostly watch it in the background while “working” I realize I have been feeling less motivated. I now realize why. So time to kick up my E2E ratio and get back on track with more vigor! Thanks for the reminder!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Kudos on a FANTASTIC 2010, Danielle! You definitely need to keep that TV off!
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Darren,
Great article, a great reminder that we don’t stop being educated when we graduate from formal schooling. It’s really just the beginning of our learning and its up to us after that graduation to create the disciplined practices to keep us on the learning path.
One thing that I’d like to add to the discussion is that people in professional fields that require CE (continuing ed) credits should also look beyond what those CE credits require. Usually its solely to get updated and stay current on policies, rules, laws, etc, in their related fields and what professions require and reward is very limiting in scope.
There is rarely personal development, leadership, management, communication training, development coaching in the CE menu of offerings and requirements in most fields, I’ve noticed. I believe this provides those professionals a false sense of the education and development they need to be most successful in their professions long term.
Thanks for this great article and for allowing me to share my thoughts here. Keep up the good work!
Skip
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