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01/23/2006: "Oh, man"

I downloaded PBW's Way of the Cheetah from here, and I've been reading it and seeing how I can apply her tips to aid me in the search for more and better productivity. One of the things she said that I reacted to with immediate dismissal was the concept of having nothing distracting in the workspace. Which, of course, meant that that's the one thing I need to do. What? No TV?

I have a little TV on my desk. I love my little TV. Mostly, when I'm writing (really getting work done) I've got the Food Network or HGTV on, the volume low, and I don't even glance at it. It's noise, that's all. I've always said I concentrate better when there's something droning in the background.

But the truth is, I watch the TV a lot when I should be writing. It does, in fact, distract me. If I didn't have the TV there, I'd probably get more work done. But everything in me is rebelling at taking the TV away. Seriously, I'm pouty and anxious, and basically I don't wanna.

The problem is, I have a killer schedule ahead of me. At least 5 books this year, if not 6. So what's it to be? Another recipe from Paula Deen that calls for a pound of butter or getting a chapter done?

Okay, so I'm going to take a baby step - not removing the TV, but turning it off. From 11:00 to 3:00 pm. Off. Not even switching it to the instrumental music channel. OFF.

Eeek.

Replies: 5 Comments

on Monday, January 23rd, Alison said

Yesterday we had monstrous thunderstorms requiring I turn off the main pc. I sat with my laptop at my desk, and had no internet, and got so much done. I tell myself I'm not using the internet for anything but research while writing, but that's totally bogus. This is the first book I've written completely at my desk, so I know getting away from the distractions here is a good thing.

on Monday, January 23rd, kim said

ok jo, good luck

on Monday, January 23rd, Eve said

Good luck Jo! Finished Minute by Minute and enjoyed it!

on Tuesday, January 24th, Jordan said

I love her Way of the Cheetah series. I've printed every article. It's in my keeper file. Of course, I read them first. :-)

on Tuesday, January 24th, Jo said

Well, the great TV turn-off didn't happen, but only because we were on the road. So I wrote in the car. Today - no TV!

Eve - thank you. I'm so glad.