Wasting Time.
Many of us tend to squander our time and rationalize it as a source of enjoyment. While allocating time for such activities in our daily schedules is acceptable, they can become problematic if they take over more productive or creative pursuits. In these situations, we may only seek a short-term dopamine boost. For example, when confronted with a challenging task, we may turn to social media to unwind and alleviate our frustration. However, we can quickly fall into a pattern of monotony and dopamine rushes, spending hours slouched over our screens and later regretting our wasted time.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger was born in what is now Spain in 4bc. Yes, he was born 2027 years ago. Even then, in that time of no social media or television he had this to say about wasting time;
"It's not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
Or consider this; Stolen from the Daily Stoic Website;
"Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune's control and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately."
– Seneca. On The Shortness of Life
Many of us waste valuable time due to excessive preparation for life rather than living in the present moment. This fear of the unknown can undoubtedly hinder progress, but it is crucial to comprehend that fear is natural when dealing with unfamiliar circumstances; social media can only exacerbate this issue by fueling the fire. The most effective solution to this problem is to take action and gain the necessary experience. Always remember "Ready, Fire, Aim," Start now; lets say you have an idea to start a business, pull that trigger and just go for it; once you've started, you can tweak things as you go, run into a problem? Find a solution, but get started. Taking action is crucial in conquering procrastination.
“The Obstacle is the Way”
- Marcus Aurelius
My experience so far with starting a side business in photography, writing, and documentary filmmaking has proven to be quite challenging. Although I've had some work come my way, I'm still figuring out the business side of things. Being new to this online business-from-home thing, I've spent a lot of time watching Youtube videos for help. However, I often find myself stuck in an endless loop of searching for ideas instead of taking action. It's time to get out of this quicksand and rely on actionable advice to move forward. The funny thing is, most of the videos I've watched all say the same thing. And some are talking about things outside of my skill set, which would mean spending more time to gain those skills, “run into a problem? Find a solution”. I set aside time daily to learn something on a subject that will help me and my solo business, either from books or sites like Skillshare. The fear of the unknown is what’s been keeping me from moving forward, from taking action, and so I sit and watch youtube in the hope that a magic wand will solve my procrastination. It’s also weird that I know ACTION is the cure to procrastination, yet there I sit.
Actionable Steps
Achieving a balance is critical to maximizing the benefits of social media (and Youtube) while minimizing the negative impacts. Here are some practical tips I want to share that will help you use social media without getting sidetracked:
Set a schedule: Instead of checking social media constantly throughout the day, set specific times when you will check it. This will help you stay focused on your work or other activities and prevent social media from becoming a constant distraction.
Use social media as a tool: Social media can be a great way to network, find resources, and stay informed. Use it to your advantage by following accounts relevant to your interests or profession and engaging in discussions with others.
Be mindful of your time: It's easy to get lost in the endless doom scrolling of social media, so be aware of how much time you spend on it. Set a time limit for yourself, and stick to it.
Take breaks: It's essential to take breaks from social media every once in a while. Use that time to engage in other activities that bring you joy, such as reading a book, taking a walk, or spending time with friends and family. Put your phone down and take a look around.
Turn off notifications: Constant notifications can be distracting, so turn them off if they interrupt your work or other activities. Or simply remove social media apps from your phone.
Avoid social media before bed: The blue light emitted by electronic screens can disrupt your sleep patterns, so try to avoid social media before bed. Instead, wind down with a book or a relaxing activity.
You can harness its power by using social media mindfully to start a side hustle. These tips can help you achieve this and are worth sharing with others. Once you have control over your social media use, focus on building your unique brand. Stay true to yourself and avoid copying others. We tend to see popular and/or influencer types on social media and think that we could be like them if we copy what they do, but all you’ll be is a copy. Be the niche. Start by creating a website, newsletter, and blog, then repurpose your content for platforms like Youtube videos and shorts, Instagram carousels and reels, and even Tik Tok if that's your thing. This will help you reach a wider audience. With a solid plan, it's time to take action and start creating! Use Social Media to Network.
If you use Social Media wisely, you might even be able to make a sound, sustainable living from it. Use it. Don’t let it use you.
I’m a Professional Photographer who dabbles in Writing and Documentary Film Making.
I’ve recently quit my job of three and a half years as a Bartender/Manager. Photography began as a hobby and quickly became a passion.
I’m a Professional Photographer, Filmmaker, Writer/Author and this website is where I’m going to document all of it. The good, the bad and the ugly.