Today’s post is an update of a post I made almost exactly a year ago.
It still applies, so I thought I’d share it again.
I like to take time at the end of each year to reflect upon things, in hopes of improving for the next year.
Although I was able improve upon last year, I feel that I still failed in one category this year…
FOCUS
Once again, in 2020 my biggest mistake was spending too much time consuming news.
Of course it was important to stay up to date on the pandemic, especially with local news. But I feel that I could have limited my consumption more than I did.
I’d tune in for updates on the dire situation, especially in the U.S., then I’d end up wasting many hours and days watching the soap opera that is American politics. Watching it on TV, reading web pages, posts, comments and, well, you get the idea. It was consuming me. And I am not alone.
Then one day I read a PDF I read about productivity. It made me see clearly that I had very little control over the outcome of almost everything I was spending my time on. Even Covid-19. All I could really do was limit exposure to others.
But when it came to the hours of news I was consuming, almost all of that time was being completely wasted.
Staying Informed is a Slippery Slope
Sure, it’s important to stay informed and knowledgeable about current events, but it is easy to get carried away. It truly is a slippery slope that can have you wasting far more time that imaginable.
When it comes right down to it, the only way for the average person to maintain sanity in this news-by-the-second environment, is to limit exposure. Particularly with political news.
When it comes to politics these days, you have to understand that changing other people’s minds, especially online, is nearly impossible. Have an opinion. And vote. That’s all you can do on that front.
Convert Wasted Time To Creative Time
When I reflect each year on how I spend my time, it helps me redouble my efforts. A hard look at myself and my habits lets me cut the nonsense almost completely out of my schedule, and move on from my mistakes.
That allows me to use all that recovered time more creatively. It lets me create new ebooks, increase my income, and most importantly, helped more people.
I was able to do a few new product launches, Fast Money Methods and Passive Money Methods, plus a couple products I bought the rights to Making money with Canva.
I also have two more launches set up for January and March of 2021. Stuff that will really help my subscribers gain more time and money freedom.
What About You?
Let me ask you this… will you take a closer look at what you’re doing day in and day out? Consider not only your habits, but your mindset. It could be an eye opener, or even a life-changer as it was for me.
It’s OK if you find mistakes (past or present!) that are holding you back from reaching new levels in your life. That’s the idea of this — take a step back and look at yourself objectively.
If you think it’s even remotely possible there’s room for improvement, here’s something to help you see mistakes for what they really are…
It’s an ebook that explains why mistakes are necessary for growth, and how to use them to improve your life to levels you may never have thought possible. (Just click that ecover to access it for free.)
I didn’t write it. But I loved it so much I bought it as part of this Growth Mindset package with PLR rights so I could give it away to my subscribers.
It’s my gift to you for 2021. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.
Jim Daniels
P.S. If you are ready to get down to business in 2021, why not let me build you a blog — a new resource to help you share your knowledge with the world and grow a new income stream.
Jim
Thank you for the report Learning From Your Mistakes good info.
Karl
I’m glad you like the report Karl, I plan to send more free info this year than usual. I really want to help people with things like this, as they have made quite a difference for me.
Jim,
The report about mistakes is a wonderful thing. It gives wisdom on something I wish I had learned much earlier in life. Even though I am in my 70’s, I make several mistakes each day. Looking forward, I intend to not berate myself afterward. Thanks for sharing it.
Jim
Thanks Jim, glad you like it. I’m going to apply those methods to my golf game this year too. Rather than being so hard on myself every time I screw up, I’ll learn more and get better! Wish I had this info earlier in life too, but better late than never. 🙂
Boy you really hit the nail on the head with the time-wasting discussion.
All the best in the New Year !!!!!
So so true! I am like a really unhealthy doctor – I tell people what to do but don’t follow my own advice. For YEARS, I’ve been telling people “Produce more than you consume,” yet here I am, with a 2020 with little to show on the production side.
Ah yes Bill, you are certainly not alone. I know a few contractors who live in houses that are practically falling down. It’s easier to help others than ourselves!
Jim
Jim,
Thanks so much for the report! I have been following your work for a few years now and always learn something from your teachings. I also pledge to work harder on living on the other edge from fear (because I think that’s what stops a lot of us), and take more action this year, this month, this week!!
Boy can I identify with what you are saying about the news. I’m retired and still just not getting much done the last couple of years because of politics. I’ve never been as engaged as much as I have been recently. It’s almost like an addiction. Watching cable news, facebook. I just can’t understand what is happening in this country and it drives me absolutely crazy. I really hope that I can turn it around this coming year, because I’m 70 years old and don’t have an infinite amount of time left to do what I’d like to do.
You can turn it around Steve. Set aside one hour a day to consume news and strictly limit yourself to that one hour. Also, when you get a chance, watch the movie The Social Dilemma on Netflix. It explains why most people can’t understand what is happening in this country and others. Basically, AI in social media platforms has created huge profits for Facebook and others, but by spreading disinformation faster than truth. It has literally created a situation where the truth is something different for almost everyone. That tears apart societies. The movie really opened my eyes as to what’s going on.
Thanks Jim
mind-blowing I need to really take heed to this.
I also have a problem with News consumption. One tip I have is to defer news sites until the evening when my work is finished.
I can then relax with a glass of beer sometimes and read and watch relevant videos to keep up. Usually it works unless there is some breaking news that requires immediate attention.
Great tips Jonathan. It’s challenging to limit consumption nowadays with all the news apps, social media, youtube, and other sources for instant gratification. Sounds like you’re trying though, and that’s a start. 🙂