Perhaps I’ve been reading too many business marketing and motivational books.  Seth Godin, and The Red Lemon Club have provided me with advice on how to be more productive and extraordinary. Taking them at their word, I’ve decided to conduct an experiment as part of my approach at living a bigger life of art and design. I’m ditching TV.

This measure is requiring a certain amount of bravery on my part. While I don’t watch that much TV anyway, there are certain times when I really truly just want to relax in front of the tube and let it take me away.  It’s candy for my brain.  Regardless, this week I’ll be calling up my satellite provider and canceling my account.

It’s not just a matter of wanting to be more productive… if I wanted to be more productive, I could always elect to just not turn the thing on. But, my Directtv bill is approximately $90/month and I find that ridiculous. I don’t receive the premium channels such as Showtime or HBO.  Nope, that $90/month goes for perhaps 4 channels I watch regularly and a whole bunch of other channels I rarely use.  I’ve called Directtv and eliminated some channels in attempt at making the monthly bill less like extortion, but that only brought my bill down by about $15 and eliminated Ovation TV, which I loved.  So with the support of my kids, off it goes and here are the benefits we’re hoping to gain:

1. More productivity and a enhanced lifestyle
2. I can either save that $90 or use it toward attending a social event.  That’s $1,080/year and that’s some significant vacation money!!
3. Less stress… I find that often the background noise of TV causes stress for me.  Quiet is good. Music is good. Bombs blowing up, repeated bad news, loud TV commercials…BAD.
4. I can enjoy television and programs without the monthly bill.  I can rent DVDs from the library. Watch Hulu.  ABC provides many of their regular programs online at abc.go.com. I can read the news online or in print.  These things are all “On Demand”.

I think that with the economy being such as it is, and with the inflated prices Comcast, Directtv and others are demanding, television will eventually go the way of the dinosaur.  Why should we pay $90+ when we can get what we need for less and On Demand.  My mission, my attempt, is to take back control.  Come on, join me.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I’d love to get to know you.  Please drop me a comment and introduce yourself. Don’t be shy.

Back in the old days before I had children or a business to run, I would indulge in what I called my “Annual Weekend Read-A-Thon.” Over the course of some weeks (or months) as I went through my life, I would collect books, magazines, brochures, pamphlets etc and stack them in a pile by the side of my bed. When the pile became unwieldy, I planned a Read-A-Thon. Over this past weekend, unwilling to venture out into the hot and humid 90+ degree out of doors… I reinstated the weekend Read-A-Thon.

While meeting with a client on Friday, he showed me one of his new toys… The Buddha Board.  I was so taken with this thing I had to share it here.  So simple and yet brilliant.  The Buddha Board allows artists, designers, and even those shy about ever sharing their creations to draw on a special board with water.  As you paint, the board darkens and then after about 15 minutes your creation fades and disappears.  It’s perfect when you aren’t concerned about creating “product” and seek a little inspiration or relax time.  Buddha Board comes with the board, a bamboo paint brush and water tray.  Very Zen!

The Buddha Board website explains like this:

You simply paint on the surface with water and your creation will come to life in bold design. Then as the water slowly evaporates, your art will magically disappear leaving you with a clean slate and a clear mind – ready to create a whole new masterpiece. Buddha Board is also environmentally friendly and will last for years with proper care. Allow yourself to let go and not be concerned with each outcome – live for the moment.

Visit the Buddha Board website or the board can be purchased from amazon.com

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