Facebook Update

My latest (over-the-top) post included my plan for "drastically" cutting back on the time I spent on Facebook.

So how did it go? 

Overall, the plan went very well. The first few days were a bit tough because checking out Facebook became a habit I did not even really think about. After breaking through the initial barrier it was pretty easy.

The obvious benefit to checking FB and other similar sites less is more free time. (Oddly, I am not really sure what I spent the additional free time doing...It clearly was not blogging more.)

A surprising result was that I stopped caring about what was going on with the hundreds of "friends" that I had. It was calming.

Moving forward I am trying to simplify my life before heading to law school so I will definitely stick with visiting Facebook less.

How Facebook is Worse Than Smoking

I am sure you've heard the statistic that for every cigarette you smoke you take 11 minutes off your life.

How about this statistic: the average U.S. Internet user spends more time on Facebook than on Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Amazon combined. According to Facebook, the average Facebook user spends more than 55 minutes per day on the website (or 5 cigarettes a day, however you want to look at it).

The fact that you are reading this probably from a link on Facebook (however ironic) shows that I am not anti-Facebook.  In fact, I like it.  There are many benefits to the website.  I enjoy keeping up with my friends, checking out new pictures and perusing the latest gossip.

The problem for me though (and I suspect others) is that I spend too much time on the website.

Because of this I have decided to drastically cut back on the time I spend on Facebook.  I will be going on the website once, briefly in the morning for business purposes/responding to messages and that is it.  No lunch time FB surfing or late night creeping.

Am I just becoming that old man who hates technology?  Perhaps. But the numbers do not lie.  Facebook is a time eater.

For me, the opportunity cost of Facebook is big.  I have several goals I am trying to accomplish and rarely have the time to get them done.  Here are a few things I will be doing instead of checking the latest updates on Facebook:

• Working out: I am still working on hitting my goals previously mentioned.

• Catching up on relevant news: via Google Reader, Google Fast Flip, local papers, etc.

• Spending more quality time with my wonderful fiancee

• Wedding planning

• Anything not on a computer: I am on a computer all day at work...I do not need to be on one when I get home.

• Sleeping: I am a big fan of sleep.

While I am laying off Facebook for the next few months I am not necessarily advocating that everyone should.   If millions of people are spending this much time on a website it can present business and networking opportunities.  It is undoubtedly a great way to spread ideas and reach out to contacts.  Also, having an outlet is fun and necessary.  Facebook can provide a good break from work and really is an easy way to stay connected with your friends.

It is all about balance.  For me, FB can still be this outlet without eating away at my valuable time if I limit how often I check the site.

So the next time you log into Facebook think of this quote from a certain former IL Governor that I've modified for my own purpose:  "[time] is a f*cking valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."

Photo: Benstein

Break on Through

It is really easy to get sidetracked from accomplishing goals.  Spend five minutes looking through my archives and you will see some great examples.

Often there is something in our lives that we want to change, we get excited, set a goal, hit a bump and become discouraged.

A big component to successfully reaching goals is being able to overcome these setbacks and mini-failures.

In light of this, here are a few tips to overcoming this cycle and associated barriers:

• It's a continuous cycle.  The cycle doesn't have to end after giving up once.  Get back on the horse.

• Progress is progress.  Setting goals, making a bit of progress and failing is better than doing nothing.

• Break on through.  When you initially hit resistance or find yourself too busy it doesn't mean you have to quit.  If, for some reason, you missed a week of working out, just start again the next week.  Do not get too down on yourself because...

• Everybody fails.  Everybody.  If you do not occasionally hit resistance you are probably not setting hard enough goals.  Push yourself! (On the flip-side, if you are doing nothing but failing, set some really easy goals. Accomplish them and make the goals a little bit harder.  Incrementally give yourself more confidence in your ability to succeed.)

• You will always be busy, so make some time.  This is the biggest one for me.  It really is true-- unexpected stuff is going to come up, you will be busy...just deal with it.

Failure is part of life.  Embrace it, get over it and dominate. 

Photo: tpower1987
       

Be Content

"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."
-Lao Tzu
 

My Plan for Getting Fit

A few months back I posted about the benefits that tracking your progress can have on reaching your goals.  Specifically, I highlighted how recording every time I worked out pushed me to keep up with my fitness goals.

With my wedding/honeymoon 6 months away I've decided to take this a step further.  I am going to combine tracking my workouts with publicly broadcasting my progress (or lack thereof).

I am going to record how much I work out on this blog.  I have created a "My Fitness Goals/Progress" section on the right hand side.  On that link I will post my fitness goals and record all my workouts.  If I start slacking I encourage any trash talk.

Photo: Sean 
  

My Fitness Goals/Progress

As discussed in my plan for getting fit, here is where I am publicly tracking my fitness goals.

New Year, New Resolutions

As the crystal ball drops we descend into a new year, a new decade. A clean slate full of new opportunities.

The new year will be filled with countless resolutions, goals and promises.

While just another day, January 1st, 2010 presents a great opportunity for self improvement. Because wanting to improve is the most important step to actually improving. (In reality, any day you choose to make a conscious decision to improve is a great opportunity. This hyper-self-help sentence is super corny and yet super true.)

Going into the new year with a little preparation can make a big difference in terms of sticking with your resolutions.

A few tips for your 2010 goals

• Choose something you really want do to. This is the most important tip. You won't stick to something you don't care about.
  

• Tell someone about it or write it down. This will keep you inspired and increase accountability.

• Make the resolution doable. 
  

• Set measurable benchmarks. "I want to get in shape," is a terrible resolution. What does this even mean? When will you be in shape? Where is the motivation? A better alternative: "I will work out for 10 minutes five times a week." This will keep you motivated and will allow you to track your progress.
  

• Limit yourself. Do not spread yourself too thin. The more goals you set the less likely you will be to do them. Shoot for the one or two things you truly want.

Inching towards your goals and slowly building positive habits is a great way to make your resolutions a reality.

Cheers.

Photo: Jsome1