Time Wasters: Top 5 things I Don’t Do That Increase Productivity

By on July 13, 2010 in Old, Productivity & Organization
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timeI don’t watch TV – Well ok, I watch a little, but in all honesty it is usually limited to 2 or 3 evening shows during the week and a movie with the kids on Friday night (which I often read during anyway.) If I have to exercise indoors, I will put on Morning Joe. That means I average 5 hours of TV watching per week; considerably less than the average American who watches 28 hours. Look at all of the time wasted!

I don’t play games on the internet – I limit computer usage to work, email and one hour of social media per day (that would be less if it was not necessary for business.) I do not surf the internet, play solitaire or Farmville on Facebook. That is not a productive use of my time.

I do not spend time gossiping around the water cooler (or over the “hedge row”)- This one is an easy one for me since I work from home and my water cooler conversations are limited to 140 characters on our Twitter account! Bonus: It also allows you to stay out of office or neighborhood drama.

I do not watch the news or read a daily newspaper – I know that’s blasphemous for some. Rest assured that I still know what’s going on in the world and my community. I do subscribe to RSS feeds and Twitter accounts from a couple of national news outlets and a couple of local ones as well. That allows me to get the news in real time and scroll through quicker to the items that interest me. I do subscribe to the Sunday paper which I thoroughly enjoy and immerse myself in the delight of the printed news, lifestyle and comics once a week.

I do not over-commit myself – I have learned to say no to activities that do not add value or are not the best use of my skills and time. For example I do not volunteer to work all school events, but I do the bookkeeping for the school PTO (It is easy for me with my business background and I can do it around my schedule, therefore it’s a good fit.) As an add on to this, I do not allow my children to over commit either, which makes for less stress and teaches them the value of making choices.

There were others that are on my list of “Don’ts,” but did not make the top 5. Watch for more time wasters in a future post…

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  • stranger_grrr

    I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
    And you et an account on Twitter?

    • Royale Scuderi

      As long as you link to my blog and give credit that is fine.

  • ultrasound technician

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    • Royale Scuderi

      Thanks! Let me know if there are any specific topics you’d like to see covered.

  • KGanci

    Wow… I was hoping to find some things that I currently do that might have been on this list but I don’t do any of these things either! And I still need to be more productive! Part of my issue is that I have two small children and a more than full time job, plus a second job on weekends. Need to make ends meet as a single mom looking divorce in the eye. Anyway, keep the advice coming. Just because this one didn’t resonate doesn’t mean another won’t!

    • http://www.Productivelifeconcepts.com Royale Scuderi

      Hmmm…I feel you. It’s a struggle. My husband has been in Afghanistan for 7 months, 4 kids, 2 jobs. Yep. I hear you. I’ll keep thinking!

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  • LJ Earnest

    I’m with you on these tips! Just wanted to comment on the news one – I figure if something really big happens, someone will tell me. :) P