Do You Watch TV?

by 92 replies
104
About 2 years ago I cut off the cable TV in our household. Quite literally, I cut the cord. I had become frustrated at my kids being bombarded with advertisements and then harassing me about buying a product they would use for 5 minutes and then toss in a corner. I never expected the benefit that it would have on me.

A few months after "quitting" TV, I began to notice increased focus and a significant decrease in thought chatter. My mind was not constantly bouncing around aimlessly, consumed with constantly analyzing subjects and people that were completely meaningless to me. I became more interested in my own life and how to expand it, instead of syncing my schedule with my favorite TV program and becoming immersed in the life of some fictional or reality TV character.

Everything changed!

2 years later, I'm making more money then I've ever made at a 9-5, I've started my own photography business that has really begun taking off, I shook a severe case of depression that plagued me for years, and I just have an overall better sense of self. I have found my own personal sense of happiness. Dropping cable TV programming was the best decision I ever made in my life!

I still watch DVDs when I have some free time, but life no longer revolves around that brainwashing tube like it used to. Has anyone else made a similar decision to stop watching TV?
#mind warriors #watch
  • I stopped watching primetime television because I get up extremely early in the morning to go to work. There isn't one TV show that I actually follow. I still, however, watch my favorite LA sports teams when I can.
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      i like watch tv, but just for my favorite programme only,,
  • I dont watch much TV only because I am so busy working all the time. My regular job and my Internet Marketing takes up the rest of my time.

    I do watch reality tv on the internet through replays on the sites full episodes, i do miss watching sporting events. But I figure I need to make a life improvement and some income to match my thoughts so work comes first..

    Priorities.
  • Now a days I watched TV occasionally .. No time for recreation now Hardly manage some time ..
  • Hello! Yeah, I don't watch TV that often anymore. I used to sink in my chair the whole day watching TV. But since I started working online, I didn't have time nor have the need to watch TV. Though sometimes, I do watch my favorite movies if it's shown on free TV. More power!
  • I do watch TV while working with my online business. That's the only way i can watch and hear some news.
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    Business TV for Executive Leadership and Executive Learning.
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    • Wow, it really did make a difference in your life! so glad it did

      I don`t watch tv because I refuse to watch what they serve me, I download movies and tv shows and watch what I want and when I want!
  • I no longer tv either. The only things I watch online are Shark Tank (ABC), which is all about entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to investors and the Ted Talks (Ted.com), which are short, 10-20 minute "talks" given by many of the world's greatest thinkers and innovators.


  • havent really watched tv in years, its all series and movies on dvd here. but still paying for cable.. guess its nice to have it. watched tv some days last year when Breivik killed all those people here in norway last year, but nothing since that
  • The occasional sporting event, and then WWE (yeah yeah, I know). Outside of that, I use my HDTV as a 2nd monitor.
  • I don't own a TV for more than 5 years or even more, and haven't watched it. But I do watch some shows online and some sports events.
  • BRAVO! What a life change! Everyone should at least try to live without TV for a while, and see how it works for them.
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  • SirDrewski, What an amazing story!

    I've always wondered about how much of a negative influence TV really is, and you story shows that is not only is a negative but its makes people "miss out on their life"!

    Unbelievable!
  • The only thing I watch is news and nothing elses.
  • I understand how the "idiot box" (as a teacher of mine once called it) can affect a person's productivity negatively, and I too have suffered similar problems in the past because of the idiot box...

    But I freakin' need it!. So here's what I do instead of cancelling everything...

    I simply TURN IT OFF. And literally, this turning off of the television improves my productivity by leaps and bounds. I can literally go DAYS, even up to a WEEK or two without watching a single show (but feeling comfort knowing that everything I want to watch is set to RECORD ).

    So I can definitely relate to your situation. It feels great to make a slight adjustment and reap the great benefits of a more clear, more focused mind.
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    I still watch news on TV. My IM life has take most of my time. I would rather give my time for my family than watch TV. Well, perhaps, watch TV with them for our bonding moment.
  • I'm glad everything worked out for you!

    I haven't watched television in a long time. I do most of my things online since everything from the news to movies is all there anyway. So I can pretty much live without any kind of cable or satellite.
  • I only watch a few shows on TV the first one being The Mentalist which season 4 ended last week, the second being Person Of Interest, and lastly would be Suits.

    Other than that I really don't watch TV at all. Got youtube and hulu for that
  • Hell yeah

    Like I said earlier I barely watch TV, I haven't watched TV faithfully for about 5 or 6 years and that was way before I got into IM

    Great story though congrats
  • That is so awesome! Congrats on making that decision. Even though I love to watch movies from time to time I made the decision to stop watching TV as well. The way I see it, people simply sit there and watch others living their dreams.

    I simply asked myself, which side of the glass did I want to be on?

    Did I want to go out there and chase my dreams or simply watch others do what I never had the passion to do myself. Sometimes I wonder how people even have time to watch so much TV and I realize that most people have a 9 to 5 come home and watch the idiot box all the way to sleep and do the same thing over and over.

    I cannot picture myself doing this ever again knowing I can dedicate the time to read books, educate myself on something new, work on establishing new habits and much more.

    It's time people started to live their own lives instead of following along the lives of those on TV.

    - Will
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Yeah, I'm not a big TV fan either.

    I used to be. I still watch 'Game Of Thrones' at the moment... Love it!

    I don't plan on cutting TV completely out of my life... but gone are the days when I just sit down to watch TV with no idea of what's on... Nowadays I schedule it into my day.

    - Trevor
  • Your post made my day. Congratulations! I stopped watching TV back in the '90s. I will occasionally watch a movie or DVD but hardly ever. There are far better things to do than sit still allowing yourself to be brainwashed.
  • I'm not a huge fan of tv but I do have two favorite shows that I am loyal to. Other than that I must keep the tv on to have background noise whenever I do work. The usually have it on the traffic channel. It's cool that it plays lots of 80's music. I have no cable and I watch lots of movies online. I refuse to pay for cable. Plus I start to get headaches if I watch tv for longer than 2 hrs.
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  • TV? NO NO NO...... rather spend time in more productive.
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    • I stopped watching TV regularly around the time I start uni, about 14 years ago. It wasn't a conscious decision, there were just so many better and more productive alternatives to fill the time. I watch a few documentaries now and then though and also some movies on Netflix.
  • When I came to the realization that what I watch on TV is 100% my choice, I began to enjoy it so much more. I'm not glued to it and I rarely watch the news unless its weather related.

    I only watch shows that really interest me - make me laugh, remind me of what it's like to be in love, or just plain intriguing.

    I'm still old school too...I'm a fan of shows like Murder She Wrote, the Golden Girls and the Cosby Show.
  • Good for you!

    I watch TV and Movies on demand. I only have the TV on while I'm eating (if I'm alone) and it really only stays on until I'm done.

    I will say I do like some trashy TV. Good to relax! But nowadays more focused and devoted to IM.
  • yeah i watch tv for having some good info..
  • I hardly find time to watch tv. but i think it is good source of entertainment. I loved your post.
  • Great responses guys! Thanks for the feedback. I see a lot of replies similar to "I only watch the news now a days."

    In all honesty, I found the news to be one of the most damaging things I watched. When you realize that honest journalism is really a thing of the past in mainstream media, and the majority of the stories you hear about on the news are extremely sensationalized to either increase profit margins, align your thoughts and support with a political agenda, or keep you distracted from what's really important (i.e. media hyping up Obama's support for gay marriage while the rest of the world is falling apart), it gives you a different perspective on "news". Well, at least it did for me.

    I used to think that daily news consumption was vital, that those who opted not to stay "informed" were inferior to those who did. But can you really call this mass propaganda they promote informative? How many times have you watched/read news and thought to yourself "wow, that was really useful information"? How many times have you actually been able to use that information to somehow benefit your life? Conversely, how many times have you read or heard a negative news story that incites a strong emotional response, only to realize that you probably cannot do anything to change the current state of affairs? That's a lot of mental and emotional energy wasted that could have been better spent on something meaningful.

    My experience with the news is that it is draining, while offering very little benefit to my life. So I cut news consumption out of my routine in every form, TV, newspaper, online, etc. I still know what's going on because everyone else still talks about whatever mass media puts in front of them. But I don't have the same emotional attachment to those events I do hear of as I would if I learned about them first-hand.

    Cutting out the news had almost as much benefit for me as turning off the TV. As with anything else, your results may vary. This is just what works for me. Thanks for allowing me to share!
  • I made the same decision about two days ago Actually the tv signal forced me into the decision but i hope to keep it up and form it into a habit
  • Oh...first I heard a story like this...that's great!

    I dunno if I can do this my own. I'm a bit TV fanatic. But, I hope I can make it someday. Even if it's not totally quitting but just cutting the time would be already be fantastic
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  • im watch tv for sport and news only now
  • I watch for a number of reasons, but only for specific times and also I refuse to watch Trash.

    A lot of what the media puts out today will drive you crazy.

    But having said that, one of the things that I do is to watch how commercials are used to influence sales.

    Every well produced commercial is a road map to creating a better sales platform, that is a lot of what I do, also if the world is about to end, I want to know it in time to open up that makers mark.
  • I am a gamer .. i find it terible hard to sit an watch something and be entertain i need to take part in what is going on on the screen somehow ..

    but i am also self trained in blocking or picking out negative messages or from marketing training understanding the tools they are using to sell you on certain messages ..

    i find it real hard to watch tv anymore as in the last few years i have had to crawl out of the pits of personal hell and severe depression.. and the messages i get from tv set off my negative programming alarms .. so i can't sit their and be fed crap programming that tv feeds you in the shows and on the comercials ..

    I listen to country music and the filter is causeing many of the songs from the female vocalist ot hit nerves .. when they are the " i sleeping with this other woman husband and i am so sad because i think he is making up with her and getting rid of me.. ..

    the last time i watched tv for a long stretch of time was the superbowl.. and that might have something to do with being a pats fan .. but the comercials where horrid programming.and i won't go into the half time show ..
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    • I haven't been in front of the "Idiot Box" since ages. I kind of like my life this way as I get to have a clear head without constant reinforcement of things that may not have relevance to me. I am not a firm believer of forcing this thought on everybody I come across but this is something I am very comfortable with and would like to keep it that way.

      Cheers
      HonestIM
  • I watch some t.v., but cut most of it out when I realized how much time it was taking away from me.
  • With my work schedule, I don't have time to watch tv anymore. But when I have some spare time, I do watch.
  • No more TV. Just YouTube. I actually hate video, because it just a record, you can not change anything. But in the real world, you see something happen, you can choose help or don't help. I think people are so stupid to cry when you are watching movie because they are fake even they look right. If you want to help them, you need to take action in the real life but not just focus on record. Record can repeat again and again, but your life is just one time. So why don't you face the real world, work for yourself and change the real world?
  • I watch NetFlix and DVD's but I do not watch network television.
  • Yes, sometimes NEWS only. There's many program like soap-opera here! very sad!
  • I nearlly never watch TV
  • I don't watch TV for its all useless to me. I only read on Yahoo news.
  • I like the OP, this is one of the best success stories I have seen for cutting out TV.

    Personally I haven't owned a TV for about ten years. The average american (and I'm guessing its pretty much the same in other countries) watches 35 hours of TV a week which just amazes me. Its like they are working a second job they aren't getting paid for.
  • I don't watch as much TV as I used to. A lot of my news I get online and occasionally I TV series catches my eye. otherwise I wold prefer to watch a good movie.
  • I watching TV just for the sports and news .
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    • I honestly dislike TV nowadays. It seems that the main purpose of television has veered away from quality programming and has become overwhelmed with irrelevant advertising.

      I don't even watch TV anymore - I only catch glimpses of it when I walk into the room and a family member is watching.

      Most of the commercials they broadcast now show nothing about the products they are promoting - they just aim for the "wow" factor by playing a ridiculous clip.

      Also, the commercials are around 5 minutes long now!!! I don't understand...

      As a result I am more than happy to watch whatever I need online and enjoy an ad free experience that doesn't get on my nerves or waste my time.
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    • Very few
      I always watch TV on the website
  • I have cut down hugely in the last few years, but I must admit I still do enjoy watching it and I watch about 10 hours a week. However, after reading this it has renewed my conviction to cut right down.
  • I don't watch TV a lot myself...but I am addicted to YouTube lol. There is just so much talent in there.
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    • i'm done with it, they only show bad new, some pointless stuff and nothing important or positive. i like personalized blogs cause people share actual experience, share info, suggest cool thing to check out, so no tv for me...
  • Obviously, I watch TV. I am a big fan Football(Soccer)
  • I don't think there is anyone in here who doesn't watch tv. Even if it is on the internet it is still the same shows.
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  • About 5 years ago my husband and I 'cut the cord" as well and for some of the same reasons. Just very tired about what was being served to my kids. It also could become a distraction to me as well. We watch dvd's and use the internet for things as well. After a couple of years away from it I was watching a sporting event at someone's house and the commercials amazed me at how inappropriate they were for kids. I had forgotten.

    This was BY FAR, one of the best decisions I made for myself and my kids.
  • I watch tv for the sports and news only now
  • I just did a post on this on my blog. TV, no matter how much I enjoy it, is a distraction, and has kept me from doing what I need to do to get ahead in life. I'm also the type of person who gets addicted to a story and has a hard time just stopping after one episode (I don't have cable and only watch shows on DVD or Netflix).

    Recently I've kept my TV off, and so far my productivity has gone through the roof. If I want entertainment I grab a book. At least that type of distraction should help me become a better writer as well.
  • Have never had cable. Never let the kids watch much TV. We let them watch movies (VHS back then) and now we just watch Netflix (almost nothing good on there anymore either!) and an occasional DVD. Kids are grown and hardly ever watch TV, unless its sports. Don't miss it an iota.
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  • I don't wath TV shows. You can get hooked. HOwever, I watch movies on DVDs. It depeneds on how I fell. If I want to see some action, I get an action DVD, go to the action part and watch it for about 15 min. That gives me my TV fix and I am done for the day.
  • I knew the negative effect of TV so I was very careful to keep it away from my Children for some time. As they grew up they became more interested but what I told them is that the Characters they are watching are already millionaires and they are wasting their valuable time, watching millionaires, which they could be using to think of how to become a millionaire. It worked. You wil never find my children watching television during the day, only in the evening, relaxation time. During this time they are doing more creative things like reading or outdoor activities or practicing their talents.
  • The expertise while using media is that it is wearing, and will be offering little or no profit to help playing. Therefore i cut media usage from my personal regimen in every form classifieds, online, etc. My partner and i however realize what are you doing because all the others however mentions what ever advertising positions facing all of them. Nevertheless My partner and i don't have a similar emotive accessory to help those functions I do listen to associated with as i might basically learned about all of them first-hand.
  • Hello! Yeah, i don't view TELEVISION of which often nowadays. i am accustomed to destroy around my chair all day every day watching television. Yet since i have began working on the web, i decided not to have period nor have the requirement to view TELEVISION. Though often, I really do view definitely the videos if it's revealed with cost-free TELEVISION. More strength!
  • I only watch tv if I'm feeling crappy and can't do any work. Or a lazy day.

    Usually I stay away from the t.v and just stay caught up to 1 or 2 shows a week via online.
  • I used to watch A LOT of TV until the year 2000. At first I thought I was going to die. Then I realized that I'm not really missing out on much. I've never watched a single American Idol, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Friends, or House episode, etc, and guess what? I'm still alive! Yay! The best part is, I don't miss it.
  • I very rarely watch TV, though I did see some of "Pirahnaconda" last night. It was very thought provoking and deep! Should have won an Oscar.. But really, the quality of the shows have gone down so much that it's pretty much pointless to watch. Heavily biased news, stupid reality shows and now even the history channel is all about aliens and people with jobs I never want to have to do.
  • I must admit, I frequently keep the television on while I'm working; usually the news or something informative. For example, I like listening to CNBC as it's programming is about business, the stock market and retail trends.
  • The news is the most negative of all that is on tv. I stopped watching the news when I was a young boy. Now I rarely watch tv. I do love Shark Tank: Hulu - Search
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  • I like to watch Formula 1 in my spare time, i am a big fan of Lewis.
  • I haven't much time to watch T.V I want to watch t.v for sometime but can't manage.
  • I quit watching TV about two years ago and haven't ever regretted my decision yet for a number of reasons

    1. It's a huge time consumer - frankly, the hours spent watching TV can be spent doing something much more creative that will benefit you in the long run

    2. Most of the information I pick up is not valuable to me - It can be amusing, but for amusement I prefer listening to music, watching some particular movies instead of just watching the first thing that comes up when I switch on my TV, etc.
  • I only watch one series, only an hour once a week. But my TV is always on when I'm working. Maybe it's a habit or something, should really learn to turn it off.
  • I tend to always have TV on in background even if im working and ill break for 5-10 mins here and there to catch a little of whats on. Its mostly sports or something like history channel , food network , or Syfy.
  • I do not watch tv... but I am also addicted to youtube.
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    Yeah ,I am watching tv .
    my favorite show is MAN vs WILD in national geography.
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  • I don't watch much TV because of the commercials. I know that commercials generate income for the chanel but I find them really annoying and this is the main reason I don't watch TV. When I sometimes need some entertainment I download a TV show or movie.
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    watching tv is one of my favorite pass time.i can not stay without watching tv.
  • Television is good, it just depends on what you are watching and who's watching.
  • I don't "watch" TV, but how my desk is setup, I have my laptop in front of me, cigs, drinks and speakers on the left hand side, TV on the right hand side, and I generally just put it on the music channel to keep me awake.
  • I HATE watching tv in the UK due to all the damn adverts....so i catch up on the internet using bbc i player or the like
  • I watch T.V when needs to relax from hectic continuous hours on IM.
  • I've tried to quit TV but it's so addictive... I keep coming back to it.

    I don't think TV is that bad actually. But I do hope to give it up one day because I feel like my time could be used way more productively doing something else.

    Have you heard of 30 day challenges?(Matt Cutts)
    I'm thinking of trying 30 days without television next month.
  • I have spend my time more in front of my laptop than watching TV.
  • I still have my cable on but i don't watch TV that much sometimes its just on but no body is watching. I also don't follow any primetime series and the like. I am more of news and current affairs and anything about food..
  • i watch tv everyday but i really don't focus in watching as i am always in front of the computer
  • Yes, especially when i'm bored, it's very entertaining.
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    • In general, I don't watch tv at all. I couldn't even tell you who won the Olympics this year!!

      That being said, if I'm over someone's house and the tv is on, I find I'm more fascinated by the ads, thinking to myself :"How can I copy that visual concept within the video editor I have?"

      I can waste too much time on Youtube though, while I'm waiting to upload videos.
  • I watch TV only when i want updated to the latest news.
  • I don't watch TV. I spend most of my time working, but I like to watch a movie when I get time. I find I get a lot more done when I don't watch TV. I'm the type of person that would rather spend time building my business over watching TV.
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    I do watch tv, but after reading your post, I'm seriously considering limiting the amount that I do.
  • I only watch reality shows in free time

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  • 104

    About 2 years ago I cut off the cable TV in our household. Quite literally, I cut the cord. I had become frustrated at my kids being bombarded with advertisements and then harassing me about buying a product they would use for 5 minutes and then toss in a corner. I never expected the benefit that it would have on me. A few months after "quitting" TV, I began to notice increased focus and a significant decrease in thought chatter. My mind was not constantly bouncing around aimlessly, consumed with constantly analyzing subjects and people that were completely meaningless to me. I became more interested in my own life and how to expand it, instead of syncing my schedule with my favorite TV program and becoming immersed in the life of some fictional or reality TV character.