Killing Time-Wasting Impulsive Pleasures

[adamsoprano]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm beleiver of doing what I love, especially when I'm making money doing what I love, a thing I would do even if I didn't get paid. And that is "military stuff." You see, Now it's family fun + non-fun food service job + non-fun investment studies & investing. Then I may make money off investments (stocks/real estate/network marketing, whatever) then it's family fun + non-fun investing + military paintball fun w/ friends.

Once the investing pays off then it's eventually fun military businesses + family fun + military paintball friends fun. It's where I believe I'll have the most fun in a career that would potentially make alot of money. As you can see as a progress further into my goals the more fun there is. And the reason personal fun must be cut out is becuase there's better fun to do. I feel that right now is where most of the hard work is and when the groundwork is complete I'll be able to enjoy life more fully than ever before.

If I want to play guitar then, I know I can becuase I'm financially stable and don't have to worry about the bills. If I want to play video games/watch tv/movies, it would be business related such as actually creating the "military" video games/movies. Making money doing what I love. That's the ultimate prize for me.

 

[Maturin]

... The most effective people may waste less of their time, but not because they cut time wasting activities from their schedules. Instead, it's because they don't have time to waste because they are so focused on things that are important to them.

C

Abosolutely. And let me add something. It may seem overly simplistic, but if I am spending time on a "non-productive" activities, something is wrong with what I am supposed to be spending time on. I'm somehow less motivated to do it, I should find out why.

I find myself wasting time every once in a while. I used to think I was just lazy, but I now I know I am just unmotivated. That's usually because I have lost sight of my goals, because, ultimately, getting closer to my goals and succeeding at the job of life is much more satisfying than a TV show or video game (although I am perfectly on board with how therapeutic those activities can be once in a while.) And just because I remove those triggers doesn't mean I won't find some other way to waste time. Better to find a way to remind myself about what's really important. It doesn't always work, but it is much more successful than tricks like hiding the remote.

My $.02.

 

[trishacupra]

personal fun time

Hi Adam,

I think what we're all reacting to is your wording - "personal fun time".

There are two possible types of personal fun time - amusements and recreation.

Recreation is doing something fun, relaxing, purposeful and will contribute to improving your quality of life and your life skills. There is a positive end result to recreation. (Think Covey's 'Sharpening the Saw').

Possible recreational activities include:

Art and crafts: improves co-ordination, enables self-expression, improves creativity and productivity, can be done socially, the finished products can be shared and appreciated...

Board games (especially skill rather than luck-based): improves logic, strategy, planning, arithmetic, social skills, learning to be a good winner/ loser...

Educational TV shows: If you can learn something and not just be entertained mindlessly, it's recreational.

Sports: much the same as board games but with the added benefit of exercise.

Reading - Non-Fiction: great educational value. Novels (wholesome - not silly - or escapist) can improve imagination, empathy, and reading and writing skills as well.

Music: Whether listening, playing, or dancing, musical appreciation can improve creativity, math skills, and even intelligence, it's been said. Also a great form of self-expression.

Others: meditation, being in nature, camping, writing, journaling, etc.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Amusements are entertaining but mindless. There is no positive long-lasting benefit from engaging in them. This covers all 'veging out' type activities. They are truly a waste of time, apart from any rest you get engaging in them. They're not mentally stimulating.

We all need to veg out sometimes - but not that often. When you can engage in a recreational activity instead, then why just amuse yourself temporarily?

So, Adam, I believe that by 'personal fun time' you mean sheer amusements?

If so, I'd suggest listing all the amusements you want to get rid of, and list a recreational alternative for each that you can replace them with.

Then, set up your life/environment to make it harder to do the amusements than the recreational alternatives. You've already had suggestion about the TV - if you only watch soapies or mindless movies you might consider removing the aerial/antenna and/or unplug some other cables to make it more effort to set it up.

I'll also suggest that you find a business or career that you find fun and are passionate about. Working in my business is fun for me - I really enjoy it.

If you love your work and have some great recreational hobbies/past-times, then you can have your cake and eat it as well.

Trisha

 

[MarkTAW]

But what really saddens me is to hear some other posters advising you to THROW YOUR GUITAR AWAY!!!??? Life is SO short; self-discipline is great, but don't forget to LIVE!

Actually, I'm a musician. I would never throw my guitar away or want someone else to throw theirs away (unless it was really nice and they gave it to me).

A month or two I threw out the sugar and cocoa in my kitchen because I kept making brownies or cookies or something with them and I decided that nothing good can come from them. I'm sure a chef would say that that's crazy, but it was the best decision for me. Without the cocoa sugar I can't make sugary snacks, and without the guitar he can't play it.

He may find himself doing other things to waste his time once he removes something from his life, but I expect he'll find his own balance eventually.

When Lenny Kravitz cut off his trademark dreadlocks, he said that a lot of psychic energy gets stored in your hair and by cutting your hair, you get a fresh start. The same thing is true with your environment. If you go on vacation you don't do the same things you do normally, if you go to the office you don't do the same things you do at home.

So why not create a specific environment for work without distractions?

You can always create a seperate environment for play too.

 

[adamsoprano]

I'll also suggest that you find a business or career that you find fun and are passionate about

:lol: I did say:

Once the investing pays off then it's eventually fun military businesses + family fun + military paintball friends fun. It's where I believe I'll have the most fun in a career that would potentially make alot of money.

 

[beyerst]

adam,

you say:

Then I may make money off investments (stocks/real estate/network marketing, whatever) then it's family fun + non-fun investing + military paintball fun w/ friends.

If I understand this correctly, you actually consider investing not-fun. And from other comments I get the impression that you also consider learning about investing non-fun.

you have a problem if the stuff that you do not like is the stuff that should get you an income. It is perfectly possible to do things that you do not like for a while. You cannot keep doing this for a long time though. Mind you, investing is hard work, it is not just about buying shares and waiting till they boom. (I tried it, it does not work like that :wink: )There is some homework to be made before investing and serious follow up to do after you have invested. If you consider these activities non-fun, I suggest you find another profession.

As you seem to like military stuff, why not somethig in that direction: it is easier to be good at something you like than at something you do not like. Although it might not seem the shortest way to wealth and financial stability, it will be a road that is more likely to get you there.

When I think about it, I tend to get promoted or get new responisbilities/challenges after I stop worrying about them. When I focus on doing a good job, instead of focussing on being promoted I add more value to the company I work for. And this does not go unnoticed.

Summary: try to figure out what you like and what you are good at. You have better chances of making a good living in that direction that in something you do not like.

br,
beyerst

 

[TesTeq]

adam,

you say:

Then I may make money off investments (stocks/real estate/network marketing, whatever) then it's family fun + non-fun investing + military paintball fun w/ friends.

Summary: try to figure out what you like and what you are good at. You have better chances of making a good living in that direction that in something you do not like.

beyerst,

I fully agree with you.

I would suggest Adam to build his success on military paintball service - not only for friends. To be a service provider - not consumer. If he likes it - he will succeed. There is no competition from China manufacturers in this business.

TesTeq

 

[Rainer Burmeister]

Get a Life!

Adam,

please read Michael Warshaw's article at http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/15/getalife.html.

Rainer

 

[CJSullivan]

Not sure how to "quote" others, so just to say to MarkTAW --

I'm a musician too, which probably accounts for my knee-jerk reaction to "throw the stuff out"!!!

Adam, I have to say thank you for putting yourself out there and, as you can see from the thread, giving us all a lot to think about. I've been lurking on this board for as long as it's been up, and I think I've posted to it maybe ONCE!

My last thought on this subject is: give yourself the downtime necessary to gain insights from your higher self. Whatever your religious and/or spiritual leanings, there is a ton to be gained from quieting your mind and putting away the biographies and self-help books and just finding out what your own wisdom has to tell you. Sometimes it will want you to risk more than you think you can, but you certainly don't sound as though you're afraid of a challenge -- even if it comes from your own inner voice! :wink:

 

[adamsoprano]

try to figure out what you like and what you are good at. You have better chances of making a good living in that direction that in something you do not like

The reason I said I would start the military ventures only after I'm successful at investing was becuase my current investing categories (stock market/real estate/network marketing or others I might find) has less risk than military ventures. btw, airsoft is: http://combatenterprises.com/faq.htm#10

Military ventures would be considered this: (pasted from my pre-written list)

I want to have nationwide centers of military entertainment having products personally created by my company for sale such as airsoft equipment, military clothing & gear, military video games, military movies w/ me in it, military books/manuals/magazines, & military action figures. Also, services such as airsoft fields, equipment rental, & instruction, real steel weapon rental, range shooting, & instruction.

As you can see it's a little frightening so I beleive after I'm a successful investor I can explore the military option. Plus if the military option doesn't work I can fall back to what I know best----Investing. Besides, there's no better transition from 600/month job (supporting pregnant wife) to investing rather than straight looking into traditional business which has costly startups. But then again, for now, it's what I'm going to do. I'm still going to see if there's anything I can do to make money via military. One of them definitely is out of the question - US Army Infantry. Too much time away from family, little time, and the ultimate risk-DEATH.

Get A Life

In order to get what I want in the long term, it's imperative to sacrifice non-productive time-wasting instant gratifications exept the important social aspects of life-----Family & Friends.

give yourself the downtime necessary to gain insights from your higher self

I have quite a bit of those at times. Sometimes I'm out of audiobooks to listen to at work, so I just think and write down my thoughts of creativity or things to do. Or I'd pick one of the tasks from my @Brainstorm/Research next actions list.

 

[TesTeq]

I want to have nationwide centers of military entertainment having products personally created by my company for sale such as airsoft equipment, military clothing & gear, military video games, military movies w/ me in it, military books/manuals/magazines, & military action figures. Also, services such as airsoft fields, equipment rental, & instruction, real steel weapon rental, range shooting, & instruction.

As you can see it's a little frightening so I beleive after I'm a successful investor I can explore the military option. Plus if the military option doesn't work I can fall back to what I know best----Investing.

My way of thinking is different. Start your military business from small local scale and eventually build it as a nationwide enterprise. I've never heard about big nationwide network which had been built at once. Even McDonalds started as one restaurant somewhere.

Building business step by step is safer and less frightening since you can define manageable projects and next actions.

TesTeq

 

[adamsoprano]

Why I've considered that option before also. Most of the "Airsoft" businesses I know are owned by 1 person and they only have 1 store. But I beleive there's still more risk. I have yet to research the amount of risk or what it would take but from a background of studying investing I can say that investing seems like a better deal for now. Take network marketing for example. In this case, Pre-Paid Legal. I would work from home and business expenses are from $120 and up per month. That doesn't sound too bad at all considering the unlimited income potential.

 

[kewms]

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Anyone who promises you "unlimited income potential" with no risk and minimal expenses is lying to you. It could be an honest lie, such as forgetting to mention that the unlimited income is only achieved if you work 80 hour weeks for ten years. (And if you're going to work that hard, why not pick something you enjoy?) Or it could be a fraudulent lie, such as making the huge rewards contingent on expanding your downline and selling sales kits to other people (ie a pyramid scheme) rather than actually selling the product.

Make sure you know what the lie is going in.

On Wall Street, they say that there's always a sucker in the market. If you don't know who the sucker is, it's probably you.

Katherine

 

[adamsoprano]

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Anyone who promises you "unlimited income potential" with no risk and minimal expenses is lying to you

Free? Did I say free? No one "promised" unlimited income potential. The pay plan just supports an unlimited income potential. I didn't say "no risk" either. I said there's decreased risk as in it would be less risky to get into network marketing than it is to start a traditional business. Minimal expenses? I said $120 and up.. All depends on how much you want to spend for advertising.

that the unlimited income is only achieved if you work 80 hour weeks for ten years

Certainly not true. I'd expect a decent income from months to a year. In addition to that, I'll also have other streams of income.

Argh I can't afford to waste time on replying to your other statements suffice to say that compared to a person who just heard of network marketing the first time in his life and signs up immediately and gets screwed I'm a highly knowledgeble and informed individual who is well aware of all the risks involved in network marketing. Why not do somethign else I enjoy? I said it best before:

for now, it's what I'm going to do. I'm still going to see if there's anything I can do to make money via military

 

[staceybalhetchet]

Adam,

I love you alot babe but I Really have no idea why you need no fun except with you wife.I really hope that you will forgive me.But i know it is for us to get us rich and i agree you should have only fun with me but watchin movies is with me. I know you need to become rich for are baby to come in several months.I want my baby to have the best life possible the life i never had well love you

-stacey

 

[MFB]

Free? Did I say free? No one "promised" unlimited income potential. The pay plan just supports an unlimited income potential. I didn't say "no risk" either. I said there's decreased risk as in it would be less risky to get into network marketing than it is to start a traditional business. Minimal expenses? I said $120 and up.. All depends on how much you want to spend for advertising.

Certainly not true. I'd expect a decent income from months to a year. In addition to that, I'll also have other streams of income.

Argh I can't afford to waste time on replying to your other statements suffice to say that compared to a person who just heard of network marketing the first time in his life and signs up immediately and gets screwed I'm a highly knowledgeble and informed individual who is well aware of all the risks involved in network marketing. Why not do somethign else I enjoy? I said it best before:

I just finished reading the entire thread. Adam, it seems you get to be defensive on the posts made by people on this thread. They posted to help you with your concerns. I'm certain that the knowledge they share comes from wisdom they have acquired thru experience with life. Their advice may not make a lot of sense now but do try to understand why they have that view point in the first place. I bookmarked the thread for future reference. Advice given here will be of help sometime in the future. I thank all for sharing their thoughts and taking the time out to help Adam. In a way, this thread has helped me see my life from other view points. Im currently trying to get back on my feet with GTD and LifeBalance.

 

[Gator Ash]

Adam you could always try enlisting in the Reserves or National Guard for a job that will teach you practical skills that will land you a civilian job, such as X-Ray technician, human resources specialist, or legal assistant. It's not as high speed as being an infantry man but the odds of those kinds of units being deployed are minimal.

 

[jkgrossi]

I'm "trying" to cut out 100% of my personal fun time such as computer games, guitar, music, movies, tv, etc. but am finding it difficult. And becuase I have spent most of my years as a kid/teen (I'm 19 now) doing mostly fun things. Any tips on effectively cutting the personal fun out?

Sorry I can't offer any real help here, because I don't really see the point. I understand that you want to "focus" on achieving your goals, but to do so without enjoying life in the process is a mistake, IMHO.

You live life in the NOW, not in the future. In my opinion, to forsake the things in life that you get enjoyment out of in the interest in having "set yourself up for the future", is not seeing the forest for the trees.

While I do agree that in order to "focus" on what's important to you, you need to keep time-wasters to a minimum. However, I don't agree that you should totally deprive yourself of "personal fun time".

Think of it like this - when you're married (you may be already) and have a family, you're not going to have time for computer games, guitar, music, movies, TV, etc... so enjoy them now! I'll grantee you that 15 years from now (when you're married w/kids), you're going to wish that you spent more of your late teens/early 20's indulging in the kind of stuff that you're looking to eradicate.