What are some productive things you can do instead of watching TV?
Let me start this blog with a simple question:
How many hours a week do you spend watching TV?
Alright, if you’ve figured that out, now calculate, how much time that adds up to in a month?
We know that TV is not productive so why do we watch it so much?
Here’s what one study found in answer to the question, why do we watch so much TV?
We watch TV because it stimulates, or rather fulfills social and emotional needs as human beings. Apart from educating, informative, and entertaining, TV contributes to a sense of self and social connection.
When I’m talking about how to make your money work for you and building a side hustle into passive income so that you can dedicate time to your dreams and goals, whatever those may be, TV is not part of the process.
According to entreupeneur.com, only 6% of the wealthy watch reality TV shows, while 78% of the poor do.
That’s because when you’re building your future, time is your most valuable and important commodity.
I’m not saying to cut TV completely out of your life, but hey, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
So the next time that you find yourself about to sit back and turn on Netflix, here are 15 more productive things that you could do instead:
15 Productive Things You Can Do Instead of Watching TV
- Read a book, better yet, read a book related to your dreams, goals, health. Read a motivational book or a book that will help you learn and become better.
- Write something. Write a business plan, write your goals, write down what you did today to reach your goals and what you can do tomorrow. Write poetry, write a book, write down successful things you do, habits, etc.
- Go for a walk. Walking is a great way to point your attention outwards, away from the four walls of a room, and think about life, ideas. Try talking to people while walking or say hello and smile. You will start to feel better.
- Get fit. Exercise is a key part of becoming successful. If you’re tired throughout the day, out of shape, or don’t feel well, this can drag you down. Getting fit or playing a sport or some kind of physical activity will contribute to your success much more than TV.
- Create art. Now you might immediately tell me, I’m not an artist. Create anyway. Creating art of any kind is a great way to stimulate your creative mind which you can later apply to any facet of life. Art is also a fantastic way to release stress and communicate ideas and things you otherwise cannot communicate.
- Learn to cook something new. Not only is good nutrition important but cooking something new gives you somewhat of a challenge and a sense of satisfaction.
- Pick a new language or skill to learn. While this requires a bit more commitment, becoming successful includes constantly learning and growing into a better version of yourself. Learning new skills and even a new language can be a great part of your success.
- Spend quality time with your family. How much time do you spend on the phone or in person with your family? Family is the building block of society. Spending time with family is a great way to alleviate problems and feel better as well as fulfill social needs. If you don’t get along with your family, fix your relationship.
- Call a friend that you have not spoken to in a while.
- Deal with those annoying chores that you never have time for or that you don’t have the energy to do. Whether you realize it or not, small chores that stack up actually suck up small bits of your attention, even if it’s simply walking by them and remembering, “Oh man, I need to do that!” By getting them done you will feel better and have more attention to create and work towards your dreams and goals.
While there are many more things you can do besides what TV does, the point is to do something that will bring your attention outwards, something that will improve who you are, or something recreational that will help you feel better.
Success awaits!
Penny Millions
Editor, Sleepy Money
(570) 903-8960
info@sleepymoney.com