If You Just Can’t Get Things Done – Blame It On Facebook
Posted on Feb 3, 2012 | 14 comments
I'm far from a Facebook addict. Actually, until about 10 months ago I had never even laid eyes on Facebook. But now, with the blog and travel and all, the FB has become pretty much a necessity for me. Actually, I'm not sure there is a blogger out there who isn't on Facebook or some other major social media stream. It's how we get - and stay - connected. It's a must for us. But I have to say, it can sure suck the hell out of your day if you're not careful.
Today I sat down to check my email at 8:15 AM and wound up chatting blogging politics on Facebook for over two hours. I got up to refill my coffee, checked the clock, and nearly lost my breakfast when I saw it was 10:22.
How did this happen?
I'm gonna be late for work and it feels like I just sat down 10 minutes ago. Honestly, where did that time go?
In the scheme of things 2 hours isn't a big deal, but then later in the day I lost another 2 hours on the F-book. 4 stinkin' hours on Facebook talking about hotels and blog layouts! Ridiculous! Such a huge waste of time, but at least it got me thinking.
You really got to be organized to get things done in today's day and age. There's a lot going on out there in the world, and we are privvy to pretty much all of it. Some things you've just got to turn away from before they eat up your day - and your life.
Think of what I could have written in those 4 hours.
Think of the extra sleep I could have had.
Think of what I could produce with just one focused hour a day over the course of a year.
I consider myself to be a pretty organized person mentally, but maybe I'm not. What type of organized person jumps on Facebook for 4 hours and puts the rest of the world on hold? Well, actually I'm sure many of you do this and feel just as guilty as I do, but if that's the case, why don't we do something about it?
What would I do if I had those 4 hours back?
Would I just go and get on Facebook again?
We've probably got a lot more time in the day than we think we do, but I guess it all comes down to how we use it.
Anybody got some good tricks, books, or suggestions for managing time and being more productive? I'd love to hear them. And I think we could all use some strong ideas on how to control the social media beasts that rage in all of us.
I've been feeling the exact same way lately. I've decided I won't keep FB open anymore. I need to have the internet up while I'm writing my book as I need to read my blog entries, but I certainly don't need Facebook open. Starting tomorrow, I'll only open Facebook when I know I have some time to waste. Promise!
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I'll join you!
LOVE that I'm reading this on fb!!! Lol, lol, lol !!! I've given up worrying about all that lost time!! I can't see much of a way around it - I love fb!! What I have done in the last week is unfriend a few people that were not really friends, and weren't adding anything to my life with their posts. I've also unfollowed a heap of people on twitter for the same reason - I just followed them back to be kind but they don't post what I want to read - now the problem is that everything on my twitter feed is worth reading!! Lol. My big killer is RSS - I could spend days on there - currently I have 306 posts waiting to be read and they are all quality!!! But I've decided I can read these anytime. I have to admit I have given up reading books for now which is a shame - but I can't carry them anyway. I have two on the iPad for hen I'm ready for them again. And don't get me started on Words With Friends!! Lol
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I know - it's ridiculous.
But seriously - 306 posts and they are all quality?! We will be stuck to these things for the rest of our lives. I'm suggesting we do away with Facebook, but that we learn to tame it. It really is tooooo much! I think for sure you are an addict!
You're traveling the world once in your life! Do you need all that material and noise with you?
When you come to visit we are putting the devices away - be prepared!
Ha - you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands!!! Lol. I've been super good so far. Only playing iPad at night or using the little computer when I'm working on the site. I have to admit I use the iPad mostly in bed. Haven't even got service on the iPad so it's stayed home each day - good thing too. For a little item it's HEAVY!!!
Tracey - Life Changing Year recently posted..Traffic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Where do I start?
Good for you! Leave it at home! "playing Ipad" - love that!
When you work off your inbox, you are working off of other people's priorities. Your inbox is whatever is coming at you -- voicemail, email, Facebook, Twitter and on and on. Figure out what your priorities are and then go to work on that list, then fit your inbox in.
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Sage Advice! The worst part is I know what to do and just am not doing it. Time to buckle down!
Ugh. You speaka my langauge. It got worse when I started blogging. I feel strangely drawn to FB and repelled by it at the same time. This week I did actively pursue other interests and just getting outside more really helped. The pull is weakened the more I spend time outdoors. Kind of like going on a fast helps break cravings. Be sure not to announce your FB fast though because it might prove embarrassing if you are caught on it during the supposed fast! Perhaps save the digging into FB and keeping up on friends or all that reading could be saved for chunks of scheduled time and preferably at night b/c like you, the morning gets away fast on FB!
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I choose not to use the chat function on facebook. That way, I can jump on for a few minutes, and not get sucked in to hour long conversations. If people want to get a hold of me, they have to send me a message or post on my wall, and I can check those at my leisure. Not having the chat function enabled, I find that there really isn't much to do on facebook that could take more than 15-20 minutes.
I do that too! It frees up SO much of my Facebook time. Chat on Facebook is a huge time waster! I do tend to get distracted easily. As a blogger, I LOVE that my job description includes socializing on Twitter, FB, Stumble Upon and more.. but I let it get out of hand when I start interacting with friends on FB in lieu of more constructive socializing. It's hard to strike a balance - as a full-time nomad, I need to feel connected to my roots back home. What has been (sort of) working for me is to dedicate large chunks of time to 'work' activities online. I say, 'okay, for two hours, I will do nothing except that which will make the blog better.' Then I can do what I please for awhile, then I start working some more. Great post! I definitely blame things on Facebook...
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God bless you all! Honestly, FB sucked up so much of my time that I left it about a year ago. Don't miss it a bit. I just couldn't seem to get anything done when near the computer - I had to keep checking in. Drove me crazy....now I am free! LOL!
Susan, I am so close to leaving FB. I kind of need it for the blog, but beyond that I am done with it.
Drives me nuts that I spend my time looking at pictures of what someone is making for dinner.
I hope I get free like you!
I can completely sympathize with this. I love Facebook for the ability to connect with like minded people around the world and actually form friendships or regular communications despite being nomadic. I hate how much of a time sucker it is, and how much time I waste on it.
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