A Note to Self: 8 Points that Everyone Tells You but You Don’t Follow:
An interesting thing happened just now which immediately prompted me to write. After my afternoon siesta when I sat down with my phone (a habit I’m trying to rid myself of), I logged into Instagram and as I scrolled, a very interesting post popped up which said that if you want to really do something important you should keep away from social media handles that distract you and waste your time. Since it was on Instagram, the post called out to readers to close their Instagram app right away, make a list of 'to do' things and dive in.
Motivated, I promptly closed my Instagram app and headed straight to Medium. I opened first to read the stories of the day before I begin writing my own. And lo! The first story on my recommendation list was about how a writer highly recommends Instagram to improve search options and grow as a writer.
Is this some kind of a joke? Which one of the two should I follow…Instagram or no Instagram? What’s my take?
The truth is, both the writers are right, if you take a minute to read carefully. One says no to mindless social media browsing while the other teaches us how to use social media handles wisely. So, bingo! here’s the tip that we get: Don’t waste time on idle browsing when tons of work is waiting to be finished. Instead, use your social media accounts and skills to enhance yourself and better your writing. Know what to search, how to search, what and how to write and get down to business.
Here are some notes for myself and for you too.
- Browse social media to improve your skills, not to see how well your post is doing or how well someone else’s post is doing.
- Read other’s posts carefully and use the lessons learnt for your own development.
- Social media helps you grow and could also destroy you. Choose what you want for yourself.
- Simply getting tips from others is no good until you can implement them and see the results manifest.
- What works for others may not work for you. But if one method fails, that’s not the end of the road. It’s just time to change lanes.
- Find time to do what motivates you, but don’t get overwhelmed.
- Breaks are important, but only after the task is done. Its good to make a note at the start of the day of all that needs to be completed on that day itself.
- A well spent day gives you joy that nothing else can…try it. You will be addicted.
As I make my notes, I intend to follow them. Are you with me?
