The best invention in the world, The DVR
I believe that the greatest invention we have is the DVR or Digital Video Recorder. This machine allows you to record television programs for later viewing. Why is that such a great invention? Because it eliminates the excuse that I have to rush home and watch my show. I have a list of shows that I like to watch and have all of them record automatically on the DVR to watch at my convenience, usually in a much quicker fashon because I fast forward through the commercials.
Why is this important? It keeps me from sitting in front of the screen clicking away endlessly looking for something good to watch. I always have something good to watch. If I don’t, I don’t watch TV. By the way a good tip is to never turn on the TV unless you have something specific you want to watch. I usually don’t turn it on until after dinner.
By doing this you now have more free time without having to sacrifice your “all important” shows. You can now use this new found time to do all those things you’ve been putting off. Like taking a class or reading up on something that will make you more valuable at work or spending time with your wife/husband/child, maybe you could exercise.
The idea is we spend to much time sitting in front of the TV and most of it is spent channel surfing. I read somewhere the average person now only watches 55% of any single show because as soon as a commercial comes on they’re off surfing to watch part of another show until it has a commercial.
There are so many things that we neglect because of the TV it’s shameful. I have heard it attributed to Einstein that  if you spent 15 minutes a day studying a subject you would be an expert on that subject in a year. That’s just about the length of all the commercials in an hour Television show. So there you go record one hour long show and then spend the extra 15 minutes reading about a subject that could improve your quality of life.
This is what personal responsibility is all about doing the things you need to do instead of making excuses. Now you have a tool to use if you choose to take advantage of it. I love television and movies. I worked in the film and television industry for over 15 years as a special effects make-up artist and so watching my favorite shows or movies is important to me but I don’t let it keep me from doing anything that might hinder my ability to improve my situation.
As you break away from the habit of sitting down on the sofa or recliner and settling in for the evening you will find there are many things that you like to do more. You just have to get out and try something new. Maybe go for a walk after dinner, it will improve your health and when you get home the show will be waiting there for you. You could research that business you always wanted to start. Work on your hobby. Learn some new skill. It’s a matter of taking responsibility for managing your time and using it to improve your life not just wasting time until you go to sleep.
Spending time interacting with your family will improve your life tremendously. Try playing a game with your kids for an hour, the show will wait for you. Do some of those chores you’re wife has been wanting you to get to. Go out for an hour as a family and do something even if it’s only to walk the dog. It doesn’t matter what you do with the time just make sure that it improves your life in some meaningful way. Take a small step and see where it leads you, You might find your having so much fun you no longer care about the TV.