Nancy

I make my kid turn the TV off all the time.

Tommy

Television is a habit, plain and simple.  I haven't watched it in over 12 years unless I'm stuck at a bar with a televison, or at someone's house who has it on.  The list of things I have never seen is long: Seinfeld, Friends, Oprah, Survivor.  I saw about 20 minutes of an American Idol once and I saw The Tonight Show with Jay Leno once and ditto for Dave Letterman - once.  But I know what's going on because I listen to the radio and they go on about television show plots, celebrities, sports and breaking news 24/7.  It's all on Yahoo.com every time I check my email.  I leave my house every morning fully armed with everything I need to know about pop culture.  The list of books I have read is long and it's a my choice.  I prefer to read.  And my kids grew up without TV at "Mom's House" although they had satellite at "Dad's House" and for the most part, they just don't care about it anymore at 18, 20 and 21.  Most of what we do every day is a habit and routine and we can change that if we are sufficiently motivated.  This is a great post for the New Year Nancy!  Time is like money: you can "spend it" or you can "invest it."  I prefer to invest it.  I promise you won't go crazy without television - I haven't yet!!     

Now I feel compelled to say that one of the books I'm listening to on my iPod every morning when I walk my dog is a fantastic read for real estate agents.  It's Michael Port's Book Yourself Solid.  I'm about 1/3 of the way through and it's really a very motivating and practical "how-to" on marketing and selling in a way that makes you feel good about what you do.  And while I'm walking for exercise, listening to this great book, I'm also checking out all the listings in the neighborhood!  How is that for a good use of an hour every morning?

I wouldn't want to give up Oprah or Jeopardy:)  I go to a coffee shop in the morning, and journal, along with my notes.  When I arrive home, my lab and I walk for about an hour.  Then, I go into my office and work.

It's a Good Life!

Fran...I don't think turning off the tv is for everybody for sure.  I thought it might be a fun experiment.  How do you like journaling in the morning?  I've been making that a habit but I do it in the evening when every is fresher.

Nancy ~ Please keep us posted on how turning off your television works out for you. I agree - that having the television on is a habit. I sometimes have it on while I'm blogging or doing other computer-related work just to keep me "company."

Darleen,

It has been surprisingly quite painless.  I generally work 6 days a week so on those days before and after work are the tv times.  I have filled those times with other activities like walking the dog or exercising or reading.  I was really concerned with my day off which was Monday.  I got alot accomplished.  Alot more than if I had had the tv on.  I took down my Christmas decorations and then did my errands.  I like to watch soaps on my day off but since I wasn't watching tv, I didn't feel as if I had to rush home.  I felt more relaxed and since it was a unusally warm day, I stopped at Starbucks, had a latte outside and read a book for half an hour. 

It has been surprisingly easy.  I still have a good idea of what's going on in the world...Hillary lost and then won in New Hampshire, Joe Gibbs resigned as head coach of the Redskins, etc.

While I don't think tv will be banished from my life forever, I do think it will be severely curtailed.  There are just a handful of shows that I really like to watch and I think the tv will go on just for them.

 Thanks for asking. Have you thought of trying it?

Nancy, I haven't had a tv for a year. Since my last big move. I sold it along with everything else I didn't really need. A purging. I only have the things I need now. I listen to radio (NPR) and podcasts, and rent Netflix movies/tv series to watch on my laptop as a treat. I have a larger monitor and speakers I hook up the laptop to for a better viewing experience.

Sometimes I miss having the tv to turn on for company. But mostly I don't because I know how I'd get sucked in and zone out and then get mad at myself for not using that time to accomplish things!

When you need someone to talk to who has absolutely NO IDEA what American Idol is all about (or any number of other shows)...give me a call.  I'm the only person besides my husband, that I know of that won't watch it.

Most of what's on TV is mindless, non-intellectual nonsense (boy, do I sound like my Dad!).  Seriously, you never hear of anyone getting smarter by watching tv.  I try to avoid it whenever possible - EXCEPT for Virginia Tech football and basketball games.  I HAVE to watch those!

Tina in Virginia