Every day I get up determined to follow my routine. I get out of bed full of ambition and plans. Today is the day I’m going to follow my routine – devotions, exercises, go for a walk, check e-mail and then get to my writing and get many pages written.
Sometimes this happens. But sometimes, as I’m cleaning up breakfast I’ll think about an e-mail I got yesterday. Maybe I should do something about that. Just real quick. then I’ll get back to my routine. I plop into my office chair and I flick on the computer and skim through my e-mail. Oh, here’s a link to a new writing program that claims to make things SO much easier and while I’m on THAT page I find another link to a new blog I haven’t heard of and on that page is a link to a You-Tube video and before I can say Internet Service Provider my morning routine is gone and I just know I’m going to be behind on my word count for the day.
I hate these moments of lack of self-control. I’ve often wondered what it is about the computer that pulls me into it’s black hole? Why it has such power to make time disappear? And then, the other day as I was clicking onto yet another link that promised to amaze and astound me I felt frustrated with myself and how much time I had wasted. So I took a moment to pull back. To step away. To think about what I was letting the computer do to me.
And then it came to me. Novelty. The computer is an endless source of novelty. Every day, every hour, every minute, yeah every nano-second someone somewhere is posting something new. A new video, blog, twitter post, news feed, comment, link….the list goes on and if you spend any amount of time on the computer I’m fairly sure you too have been drawn into following links like a paparazzi following Justin Bieber who, by the way is (let me check) hmmm actually not doing anything bizarre….today.
But why do I feel like I need to be endlessly entertained? To be constantly diverted?
I have to think of Ecclesiastes 12:12 “Of making many books there is no end (or blog post/Twitter post?Facebook post) and much study wearies the body”.
Now mind you there was a time I used that same statement to get out of homework, but I have been thinking of the first part the last while. There will never be an end to creating novelty or seeking it. As a writer, I am a contributor to the making of many books and I hope to keep doing it for a long time. In fact, this week, I will put out three books – two are revamped versions of books I had written before the third is a brand new book. And I probably won’t stop writing soon. I hope to be part of someone’s entertainment options.
But at the same time I know that my skimming through the internet is a way of putting off work. Of ignoring a need that I have to fill and mostly, putting off the hard work of writing that I need to do. I know I am easily distracted. I am an ENFP and the prayer for my personality type is “Dear Lord, please help me to focus on one thing at a time…..oh, look a bird.” But at the same time I know that sometimes I need to stop, sit back and recognize what I’m doing with my restless clicking and watching.
Trying to fill an emptiness with things that don’t satisfy. Avoiding the hard, mental push I need to deal with to write my stories. I know I always feel happier and more content when I don’t give in to the temptation to do anything else but write even though it is hard and a struggle. I have to push past the resistance, resist the urge to do something easier. Because when I push past I get to the good stuff. The true story and the honest writing.
Everything has it’s time and season and I try, like anyone else, to give things their proper time and space. When I resist the urge to find the easy and the quick and invest in the hard and difficult work, the satisfaction I feel at the end of the day is much deeper than what I feel if I’ve chuckled over a few cat or cute kid videos and skimmed a bunch of blogs that never quite deliver on the promise.
I realize the irony of what I’m saying…..in a blog…..on the internet…..so what I’m saying to you, if you are a writer, get back to work. If you have been sitting in front of the computer too long, get out and talk to someone face to face.
But first leave a comment below! Then go and read a book. Savor it and appreciate the work put into it by a writer who, often, would sooner be watching cat videos.
(And if you want a FREE book to entertain you, go to my site and claim it by following this link – http://littl.ink/freebook)
Carolyne Aarsen, originally a city girl, was transplanted to the country when she married her dear husband Richard. While raising four children, foster children, and various animals Carolyne’s résumé gained some unique entries. Growing a garden, sewing blue jeans, baking, pickling and preserving. She learned how to handle cows, drive tractors, snow machines, ride a horse, and train a colt. Somewhere in all this she learned to write. Her first novel sold in 1997 and since then has sold almost fifty novels to three different publishers. Her stories show a love of open spaces, the fellowship of her Christian community and the gift God has given us in Christ.
I agree, Carolyne. It’s so easy to get sucked into jumping from one spot to another when we’re online. I’ve started a new practice of writing first before I log onto the internet. So far, it’s worked well.
Love this post! Once you turn on the computer days can go by before you realize it lol. In order to get word count in for the day, I must write before I turn the tv on or the computer. Thanks for putting it into perspective!
My husband often tells me how his co-workers will send an email instead of getting up out of their chair in the next cubicle and talking face to face. So, he makes a point of getting out of his chair and cubicle and going to everyone to say hello and ask how they are doing. Sometimes, he gets shocked looks. I think some of our society is to focused on looking at the computer or the phone instead of face to face communication. I must admit, I love my computer. But, I don’t own a smart phone. haha! :-)
Exactly what I needed to hear today (okay – right this very moment). Thanks!
You made me go check what the prayer is for an ISTJ (apparently you and I are polar opposites, Carolyne!): Lord help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 11:41.23 am e.s.t.
However, the Internet Vortex has the same hold on me.
http://www.bouldertherapist.com/html/humor/MentalHealthHumor/prayermyersbriggs.html in case anyone else knows their Myers-Briggs personality type and wants to see if their “prayer” is accurate…
Hey Jill, thanks for stopping by. I know I’ve had to severely restrict my internet time when I’m on deadline. I use a program called Freedom and it helps a lot. And yes, using the internet as a reward for good behaviour is a great idea.
I don’t know what it is about parking myself in front of that screen that draws me in. I suppose part of it is the fact that I can feel disconnected. But it is a time suck! And yes, writing before internet, like Jill said, is always a good idea.
How sad is that, Melissa! That people prefer e-mail over face to face connection. I think you’re right! The other day I went into a shop and a bunch of guys were having lunch. Every single one of them was on their smart phone looking at something else. I remember we went out for lunch with the women in our family (sisters, nieces, my mother) and I could see my niece was looking down at her lap, hiding her cell phone. So I sent her a text to stop looking at her phone. She laughed, but did put it away.
You’re welcome, Katy! I kind of figured I wasn’t the only one who struggled with a need to be entertained..
Polar opposites, Val? That seems odd. But I don’t think it matters the personality type, there is something for everyone on that endless Internet Vortex! Thanks for stopping by. (And giving us yet another link to distract us….. )
Yes, Valerie, thank you for that link. I then had to go look mine up lol. “ISFJ: Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it EXACTLY right.” Thank you!
Carolyne, you could’ve been talking about me. I know I’ve wasted a lot of time doing what started out to be writing related work.
I can definitely relate! Facebook is particularly addictive, and I can always tell myself I’m “working,” since I do belong to some working and project groups there. But mostly, let’s be honest, it’s about watching cat videos. LOL! It’s actually a comfort to know that you and the other commenters struggle with the same issues.
I’ve done so much of that! Research. Checking out something, anything that I hope will make the work easier when, just have to get down and do the work. Writing.
Hey Lee, Facebook has become harder to avoid since I’ve joined this group……and a few others thanks to Val Comer. She’s an enabler, that one. But writing is a lonely job and it’s fun to connect. As long as the work gets done though.
Hi! Your post was a good one and so true!
This is why I write my books longhand. Partially it’s the way I create, but I am absolutely terrible about checking email, Facebook, blogs…that “just one second” easily turns into an hour.
Guilty! And I’m ISTJ.
Sometimes they call me The Instigator. With capitals.
Hello, fellow ISTJ!
Carolyn you’ve perfectly described me (hides her head in shame)! I’m not a writer, but sometimes when it comes to housework discipline I do the exact same thing as you. “Oh I’ll just check my email real quick” ( I even give my self a 5 minute limit), then I find a link to a blog or a giveaway link & off I go following that rabbit trail. Soon, I notice that hours have went by & I’ve got nothing accomplished! I feel rather unsatisfied because I KNOW I’ve achieved none of my goals that I set for myself that day!!
I’m trying to be more diligent on my internet time, but oh that black hole can suck you in can’t it?? I’d rather devote more time to reading, which would be much more satisfying :-) I already have at least 4-6 books lined up that I NEED to read for reviews now as it is…haha!!