Freedom through Twitter discipline

read time 3-4 min:

Discipline sometimes gets a bad rap, or connotation. It’s mainly because we don’t connect it to freedom. We assume that we are slaves to discipline, but actually we are set free by it. It is our compulsions and excesses that rule or enslave us. It’s discipline that throws the prison doors wide open.

Before I set out on the "tips and tricks" part, first think of five things you would like to do with more time. For me, it would be cycling/exercise, gardening, de-cluttering/house up-keep, reading more books, and writing more. Now, think of yours. Go ahead, really do it. Get them down on paper. I’ll wait. Once you have them, the reasons for reading this will be far more worthwhile and concrete.

The facts are that Twitter is fun, helpful, but addictive and it sucks away time, right? Eventually, it enslaves until, or unless, we become disciplined, and put it in its proper place. Once that happens, we can do more things we’d like, and make sure Tiwtter works for us, not the other way around. Working on the computer for a living adds to the draw of continual Twitter tweet too, but it cuts down our efficiency overall. This happened to me.

First, to convince you further, it may help to know that there are some unattractive Twitter traits that are red flags of an undisciplined life (Twitter life, or otherwise).

1. Maybe you like to give lots of mundane tweets that you care to reveal, but no one really cares about like. “I’m eating Fruit Loops.” or “Good Morning, Tweeps!” or “What a lot of calls I have to make, yuck, Mondays.” This clogs the Twittersphere, and really sidelines you as irrelevant, to be honest. As the funny guy in the video link below says, “People with friends don’t shout into the darkness hoping someone will listen.”

2. Maybe you self-promote: If you are on Twitter mainly trying get customers, it’s usually really obvious, and annoying. Try to limit your trolling for consumers, because Twitter is not really the answer to all your business acquisition needs. Balance is key.

3. You are unemployed. If you are tweeting a lot–this will be assumed by your followers, all too soon. Sometimes “Entrepreneur” or “self-employed” is another title for this predicament people use in their bio. The over-tweeter has too much time on his/her hands, or maybe obsessive issues, or may really need to diversify his or her interests. The constant tweeting really pegs one as desperate, in some kind of way, seriously.

What can you do to rein things in, and use your time in the wisest ways possible?
•Time managing software like Rescue Time is free, and is very helpful with this. It will tell you what you are doing while you are on your computer in graph form, specifically, and give you reminders (set by you) that keep you concentrated on actual goals. The low tech version can be great too. Setting a fifteen-minute allowance on your mobile phone alarm, or a kitchen timer (one can purchase in any supermarket) works too, if you abide by it.

•Limit Twitter time to only two or three bursts per day, instead or going back to it all throughout the day. We just have to remember we are gaining our freedom back. This will be a very good, and life-giving improvement. Your productivity will increase, and even your energy level.

•Plan one new endeavor away from the computer to accomplish that will take some time, and take action this week. A short project, or a new skill is a good place to start. Like running a half mile, building a shelf or flower bed; or something relational, like helping a neighbor regularly, or preparing a brunch (or eating breakfast out) with a friend once a week.

I’ve found freedom this way. My time on Facebook and Twitter has gone down, yet my pleasure in these activities has gone up. I also have more time for other things I enjoy doing. I hope you find these ideas helpful and hopeful.

Here's the hilarious cartoon video link with some truths about life on Twitter.