Daily time wasters to avoid...

**rennigade** · 08-26-2015, 12:35 PM

Ok...so what have you started doing that is so much better than the things you listed?

Im going to start putting my pants on 2 legs at a time instead of 1. That will save me some time.

Im also going to stop lacing my shoes...that will save me 10 extra seconds.

If I wasnt watching tv for an hour or two each night id be doing something else that could also be considered non important. You cant work 24/7. Enjoy yourself my friend.

**disneysteve** · 08-26-2015, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by rennigade View Post

If I wasnt watching tv for an hour or two each night id be doing something else that could also be considered non important. You cant work 24/7. Enjoy yourself my friend.

OP didn't say he was working more. I think he raises a good point. We all do a lot of things that probably don't give us value or satisfaction when compared to other things we could be doing. It's all about priorities.

When I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed with a lot to do, I will cut back/cut out certain things like frequenting this site and another where I would otherwise spend a lot of time. I'll stay off of facebook, too. Doing that frees up time that lets me catch up on other things that, at least at that moment, are higher priorities for me.

The same is true when I fall behind on the medical surveys I get invited to do. I cut out the little time wasters and earn a few hundred dollars instead.

So sometimes it is to do more work. Sometimes it is to do more fun stuff, or watch a movie with my wife, or exercise more, or whatever.

**ESMonitor** · 08-26-2015, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by ronb View Post

I've been working a lot about optimizing my daily routine. Here are some things I've cut out. Does anyone have any other things they've stopped doing as a way to optimize their day/life?

Stopped watching the news
Stopped trying to change people
Stopped showing every single day (waste of water, time, bad for skin)
Stopped doing non work-related things during the day
Stopped watching mediocre YouTube videos - my time is too valuable
Stopped dealing with a slow computer and bought a faster one
Stopped refilling my car's fuel tank before it's down to 1/4 tank
Stopped watching mindless television
Stopped going to the grocery store without a list

And I've STARTED doing so much more. Life is really awesome and it keeps getting better.

Is there anything you could add to this list?

According to St. Paul, you are definitely on the right track. In my Christian religion, St. Paul says in the Bible RSV translation:

making the most of the time because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

I have started a big campaign on organization, both at home and at the office. It's been a slow methodical process and a lot of work to cover all bases, but it's also been rewarding.

That's my contribution to your list.

**FLA** · 08-26-2015, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by ronb View Post

I
Stopped refilling my car's fuel tank before it's down to 1/4 tank

And I've STARTED doing so much more. Life is really awesome and it keeps getting better.

Is there anything you could add to this list?

This all sounds wonderful and I am going to try to do something like this, it just makes so much sense!

what is wrong with filling your gas tank before it gets down to 1/4? Never heard that.

I am going to start a list like yours, thanks for the idea! Some people are getting culled, lol

**QuarterMillionMan** · 08-27-2015, 12:49 AM

I stopped my daily intake of coffee. Now maybe once or twice a month I'll make a cup. As to the OP stopping showering daily, does not the odor and sticky feeling bother you or bother you significant other? That seems gross.

I also quit my gym membership because it seemed to be becoming a chore, instead I go jogging around my neighborhood or do weightlifting at home. In addition my workplace has a nice weight room and cardio room which I use during my break times.

**disneysteve** · 08-27-2015, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by FLA View Post

what is wrong with filling your gas tank before it gets down to 1/4? Never heard that.

Nothing is wrong with filling your tank whenever you'd like, but if you wait until you're down to 1/4, you won't be stopping for gas as often.

**bjl584** · 08-27-2015, 03:52 AM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

Nothing is wrong with filling your tank whenever you'd like, but if you wait until you're down to 1/4, you won't be stopping for gas as often.

It's a good idea to not let your tank run low in cold weather. Condensation can form in the tank if there is a lot of empty space, and you can get water in your fuel. Running the tank dry can also be hard on your fuel pump and the fuel injectors. Certain cars computers will totally shut down into a safe mode if you run the tank all the way out. If that happens, you'll need someone to reset the computer for you which could be costly.

**wjcalderon** · 08-27-2015, 03:53 AM

Originally posted by QuarterMillionMan View Post

As to the OP stopping showering daily, does not the odor and sticky feeling bother you or bother you significant other? That seems gross.

It depends on your situation. I do the same thing. I'm retired and live alone. Some days I don't do anything to even break into a sweat. So there is no odor or sticky feeling. So no need for a shower every single day.

**disneysteve** · 08-27-2015, 03:54 AM

Originally posted by bjl584 View Post

It's a good idea to not let your tank run low in cold weather. Condensation can form in the tank if there is a lot of empty space, and you can get water in your fuel. Running the tank dry can also be hard on your fuel pump and the fuel injectors. Certain cars computers will totally shut down into a safe mode if you run the tank all the way out. If that happens, you'll need someone to reset the computer for you which could be costly.

True, but I don't think getting down between 1/4 and 1/2 causes any problems.

**bjl584** · 08-27-2015, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

True, but I don't think getting down between 1/4 and 1/2 causes any problems.

Probably not. I'd still keep the tank above 1/2 in extreme cold however.

**ronb** · 08-27-2015, 05:47 AM

Yes - the list is for making my life better, not necessarily working more. In fact, I should have more fun with my time.

Yeah, my 1/4 fuel tank method is just to keep me from stopping at the gas station so often. The place smells and isn't fun whatsoever.

And showering every day is crazy to most of the planet's population. I grew up showering every single day but read it wasn't good for out bodies. That we actually produce healthy oils for our skin and they can do their job if we're constantly washing them down the drain. I do computer work and I only workout hard every 3 days. I shower after those big workout days. People think they get smellier quicker than they do.

Organization is a good tip. It's hard for me because it takes so much time in the short-term. But in the long-term, it's good. I'll add that to the list!

**FLA** · 08-27-2015, 08:26 AM

I agree on the showering thing, I always showered everyday. But now it is a difficult chore, often need help. So I was a nurse, i can give a really good sponge bath, lol and I put dry shampoo in my hair. And that's working on days I'm not going anywhere. I shower every other

I've given up painting my nails and do not miss it, I may get 1 pedicure if I get a Groupon

pretty much given up on makeup

back to reading only books I know are up my alley, even if it takes forever and I forget stuff. That feels great

only watching shows that to me are worth watching, but am not giving up Real Housewives, don't even ask

given up election coverage for the past week totally, actually all news since last week, I will go back t that in small doses.

going to finally set up online groceries so my dad is running around less

accepting rides to MD appts from a community volunteer group, to save my dad time

went FB-less for about a month, but then got bombed with messages wanting to know if I was ok. Now I'll go in once a month to say hello and if feel like it, read some posts. I made one round of culling "friends", I won't unfriend somebody so I thought I was making it so they couldn't see what I posted. But I've been told that is not working so I will fix that and add more people to that list. If I am going to do FB, it needs to be set up so I don't see crap for hours from people I barely know.

ok, rambling again, sorry

**QuarterMillionMan** · 08-27-2015, 07:01 PM

I still cannot fathom not showering everyday. I believe you. I just couldn't put off showering daily for myself. I guess I'm a little on the OCD side. I do a complete shower at night after getting off from work (sitting at a computer and phone for 10 hours). And then I'll do a rinse off in the morning upon awakening. I like that fresh feeling I get from taking a shower so I cannot miss a shower. It's the same with my mouth. I brush and floss at least twice a day and often more than that on a daily basis. Again I like that clean feeling in my mouth as well.

**FLA** · 08-27-2015, 08:11 PM

you'd be able to fathom it if you fell getting in, fell getting out and once, just walked by it, so unsteady, grabbed the curtain and fell in with all my clothes on. Fall, naked and dripping wet and have to have your dad see you like that and pick you up, oh trust me, you'd get it. I got safety equipment but still showers are very dangerous. And some days, I want nothing more than a nice hot shower but it's a bad day and no matter how bad I want it, I cannot make it happen. So I have to believe that the hour long sponge bath done while sitting, ever so slowly and dry shampoo, is ok on a bad day. I am clean as nurse-ly possible and that is CLEAN, lol. Not thrilled about dry shampoo and I just miss a hot shower anytime I want it.

it passes the 16 yo Teen Girl Test, DD has no clue, if she did she would be driving me to drink with mean comments about being gross.

Daily time wasters to avoid...