pruning
Everyone’s answer will be different; no one is exactly the same. Our habits generate or drain our power and energy. Removing a dead leaf from a plant or a dead branch from a tree or suckers that grow shoots from the base of a plant and rob the parent plant of strength gives it life and vitality. Likewise, pruning excesses from our lives creates space allowing us to progress and prosper. Source.
My pruning list
(1) Time spent on phone providing emotional support to customers and clients
I’m putting all of them on email contact only and I will check and answer email once daily only. I will respond only to work related stuff and no longer spend time on providing “emotional support”.
(2) Time spent of “freebie” research work for clubs organizations
I will accept contract work only this year. I will not accept any projects where my contribution is expected to last more than 4 weeks , and I will limit the number to two projects – tops.
(3) Time spent social networking
I have dumped reddit. I will rarely bother with either Digg or mixx in 2009 because they bring me no traffic. I will spend less time posting to “opinion” threads at BC and more time answering technical support questions on another forum instead.
(4) My closet
I will be doing a major pruning of my closets, cupboards, bureaus, shoes, handbags, and junk jewelry and donating all of it to charity shops.
(5) Time spent with energy suckers
There are few difficult people in my life that seem to suck the joy and energy right out of me. No matter what the subject is they whine and moan. No matter how joyful the event is they manage to toss a wet blanket over it. I’m putting them on the chopping block in 2009 – whack!
(6) The number of blogs I read.
I posted this topic to the Blog Catalog General Discussion Forum and received some very thoughtful replies.
I’ve selected some that resonated:
Self segregation … girlzstylin
Doing everything myself and helping other people to my own detriment … Sebastyne
the inability to speak to large group of people … armywife65
WORRY … CreativeJunkie
stop being so closed to people – open up to those I’m close to … faithsju243
anger … Sylviagrief … katscandlesnegative thought overworking when it’s not really needed, negative people, self indulgence … acousticgutarist
watching t.v, computer time – especially social networks:
Facebook, BC, Yahoo messenger, E-mail, Blogging, micromanaging my children and home … CrystalRaven
working too many long hours at a time, looking at the past, my blogging world… well, most of the networking … arcticulates
other people’s expectations… real or imagined. … I feel like everybody expects me to be just like them or better, when all I can be is me… whatever that is … boytrotters
it is the habit of self-abnegation and putting myself last … sweetviolet
to use less of the earth’s resources this year. I plan to give back as much as I can–even if it is simply picking up some garbage on the street in front of my house, planting a tree somewhere, or volunteering a few hours a week at the local food bank … mtyler77
anything or one that brings negative energy into my life and of those close to me … myriadlife
time on social networking sites … chrissymarie321
I simplified in 2008 and 2009 brings the year of maintainance … lotusB
cartoon consumption … deadrooster
time spent on the internet … busylizzy
If you would like to read them all please click.
Discussion question:
What excess in your life will you be pruning in 2009?
buddhaofhollywood
January 13, 2009
Wow!
I did my New Year resolution thing – Spend more time with the family, be more creative, find a new job or start my own business etc, but I never considered this “pruning” approach.
It definitively makes a lot of sense. What am I doing that I shouldn’t do?
I have never thought about that… Now you got me thinking!
buddhaofhollywoods last blog post..Vacation is over!
Jon Beebe
January 13, 2009
This post sorta relates to a more in-depth new years resolution. My main focuses of 2009 will be my family, my online business, and my goals to make my goals compliment eachother. For example, bettering my online business will allow me to have more time with my family which will help me in that particular area.
Great post! Very easily consumed :-)
Jon Beebes last blog post..DM Expansion Checklist #1: Basic Mind Development
dosox
January 14, 2009
Hmmm…
BC users will miss ya lots.
I never remember to put up this things in my resolution..
The only thing i added in my resolution was to get a domain and go wordpress…
Thank you
timethief
January 14, 2009
@buddhaofhollywood
Welcome back. Put on that thinking cap and oil those pruning shears … lol :D
timethief
January 14, 2009
@Jon Beebe
It’s my experience that we all say very similar things to what you have said every year. But IMO unless and until we prune we will never achieve the goals you have stated because we will not create the time required to spend with our families. IMO the “quality time” idea is bogus. People need lots of actual time and some must be spent just being together as well as doing together.
It’s also my experience that when people state that they want to do better in their online business to benefit their families by gaining more time to be with them many will not achieve this. Suffice to say that easy credit is no longer available and the expectation of an increase in ad clicking (for example) is not likely to be what we experience. Economic times are tough and unless bloggers provide advertising space services and products that are necessities, as opposed to luxury items, then I think there will be a significant downturn in income derived from advertising on blogs.
Please understand that this is not to say that I assume you fall into the workaholic group but if you are interested I have a blog post you can read on the subject that you can read. Workaholic: Who Me?
timethief
January 14, 2009
@dosox
I was reading over 200 blogs ant the rate of about 45 – 50 per day. I had no time to truly absorb and think about what I read at a deeper level, and I had no time to comment. So I “pruned” many blogs. This week I have already cut the number of “favorite” blogs that I have at BC (blogs I read) down to 1/2 of the number I had before. More changes will be coming in that regard.
As far as time spent socializing on the BC forum. It’s a brain drain that leads to nowhere so I won’t be missing it. Also IMO those who are at BC for the purpose of hanging out in the forum won’t miss me any more than I will miss them … lol :D
Renee
January 14, 2009
I know that this post was about pruning but may I humbly suggest picking up twitter it is great for networking with other bloggers and drives traffic in in a way that BC never did. I also find that the clique like nature of BC is absent from twitter.
Renees last blog post..Oscar Grant, Police Violence and the War on Black Men
Robin Easton
January 14, 2009
This is FANTASTIC!! You’ve no idea how badly I needed a list like this….and needed it right now. I kid you not. This is so timely I can hardly believe it. I am going to print this one out and not only reread it BUT refer to it over and over. For me this really cuts through all the crap and makes me feel clear and empowered. Very very well done. And exciting! Freeeeeedom! YEAH! :) I applaud you for doing this. Life is too precious to not do it. Thank my dear kind friend, who inspires me over and over. Hugs & hearts you, Robin
Robin Eastons last blog post..Feeling Trapped?
Dosox
January 14, 2009
@timethief
Yup reading blogs is time consuming..
I read only few blogs (mostly art, photos) :D and da rest of the time.. I have to be with my books.
Photo blogs are less time consuming :D
timethief
January 14, 2009
@Renee
I did not have the same experience of twitter that you have had. I dropped hundreds of followers, cut back to a minimal number and I protected my tweets because the noise to sound ratio was horrible.
One can spend their entire day attempting to position themselves by camping out in social media sites but to what end? IMO those who are climbing their way into a broadcast position will eventually discover that it’s the discussion that takes place on blogs that have faithful and growing readership that truly matters. By then they will have a time management problem because they have geared themselves to using their broadcast buddies to climb to the top of places like twitter, rather than to creating blog centered relationships with readers.
“I have seen a number of blogs that show off a twitter friend counter rather than subscribers as a form of social proof to create authority. After looking at their traffic scores and links from various services you can see that the blog would have very poor authority using the older definition. But using their twitter account as social proof allows them to create the air of authority through different means. (It is vastly easier to gain twitter subscribers as opposed to subscribers.)
Using social media and getting to a broadcast position in various networks allows the user to manufacturer their own authority as opposed to having that authority created by a deeper endorsement of their work be it links, subscribers, or sharing of content.” http://socialmediaanswers.com/is-the-real-ultimate-goal-of-social-media-to-get-to-the-broadcast-position/
Here’s a perfect example of what I mean. I observe a woman at BC who has over 600 twitter followers and even more Facebook friends. She spends her whole day every day of the week on the BC forum posting and presiding over her social discussion threads. Now you may think she does this because she is promoting her blog posts, but the truth is that she rarely ever blogs at all. She’s addicted to social media and she’s an attention, whore who gets her ego strokes from presiding over her threads on the BC forum, and updating her twitter and Facebook to send the links to her BC forum posts to her twitter followers and Facebook friends.
Undoubtedly there are real bloggers who do use twitter effectively but I don’t have the time or energy for the magpies and I can’t take the noise.
timethief
January 14, 2009
@Robin
I am continuing my pruning of my favorite blogs at BC and of my activities everywhere at all social media sites with the exception of stumbleupon. It’s my favorite site.
I have a great deal of blog pruning and to do and as I have now installed an all in one SEO plugin I will be doing all the work on all the posts in this blog from the first post forward and wedding as I go. After I’m done I will re-focus this blog and put it back on the track I had originally intended.
I’m glad you find the post to be inspirational. I think that most of us have many areas of pruning we could do in our lives that would greatly increase the quality of our lives. The problem is that most of us are reluctant to oil the shears and then use them.
&hearts tt
timethief
January 14, 2009
@dosox
Once I finish my pruning I will be able to enjoy spending time on the art and photography blogs that I have been dashing through. I’m looking forward to that.
Bird
January 15, 2009
I have to dump my procrastinating tendencies. Then I could actually get MORE done. But I worry about getting too busy to think which leads me to procrastinate more, and so the cycle goes on. Ha, I am confused!
Actually reading through your replies to some of these comments has given me a little clarity where my online life is concerned and how best to spend my time and make efforts that count – your putting social networking sites in their place certainly is refreshing. I’ve never really got the point of hanging out on Blogcatalog when I could be doing something else, although I have to admit I do sometimes give it a try and have found many great blogs including this one by skimming it. Anyway you’ve confirmed a few of my suspicions – thank you :)
Another one I have to do… leave the past where it belongs! Moving into the future is the most important thing I have to do this year, and I need to leave some baggage behind to do that.
Birds last blog post..Through The Wardrobe
Melinda
January 15, 2009
Timethief–this is a wonderful and timely post. With so many people insecure about their future, thinking about the various ways we can cut excesses in our lives is important. The older I get, the more I realize that happiness is not dependent upon ‘things.’
You also made me think about my closet! Which is another thing I needed to go through. I haven’t done this for a couple of years but I need to go through and take out all the excess and give those clothes to the battered women’s shelter in my community (I have too many–at one pont, I was much more into shopping than I currently am).
Also, I happen to agree with you on Twitter! I find it so overwhelming! I still am signed up with Twitter but don’t really follow it (or tweets) because it is just too much. I know some people get a lot out of it but to me, it is a huge time drain.
Take care–and thank you for such a great post, with lots of wonderful suggestions by so many people. I got a lot out of it.
Melinda
Melindas last blog post..Why Society Still Can’t Face Childhood Sexual Abuse
Geoffrey
January 15, 2009
Well, TT
I can’t cut down on my closet too much, but I’m still learning about owning meaningless “stuff”. In 2009 I will continue to cut down on wanting stuff. I already have too much.
I came to blogging wanting to inspire meaningful communication with like minds. I’ve been partially successful in that quest.
I’ve met a few people on blog catalog: You, the very lovely Robin and Melinda are names I see here. I value you three greatly. There are a few others. Had I not joined blog catalog in the first instance I may not have met any of you. I’m probably going to cut down on BC time as it’s a real energy sink and a place that yields diminishing returns. BC once accounted for 60% of my blog visitors when I got started. It now accounts for some 20% of my visitors but can occupy 80% of my time. I need to get that in balance, so unless I feel some very special empathy with someone on BC I plan to give it a miss.
I’m going to have to be more strict about giving away my time too. I’ve loved and cared about all those people who have sent me e-mails and messages about confronting difficulties in their personal lives. Many have touched my heart, some deeply. But this morning I had fifteen e-mails that each would have taken at least an hour to answer and probably more time to think about. I cannot continue to provide unpaid psychotherapy. I don’t want to ignore others in distress but I can’t live as an unpaid psychotherapeutic charity either. I have to change this somehow and I have a plan!
I’ve already cut down the number of blogs I read. I plan to rationalise how I read them too. I may try and put my top ten or so blogs on my Google home page through RSS. Yours, Melinda’s and Robin’s included. This year I want to focus back on those who inspire, stimulate and may support me in my life in the same way as I might offer those same things to them. That takes me to my next point…
I write a lot of critiques, of society, politics and economics. I also write about loving relationships and personal development. I can write some very damning stuff. But I always have something to say and positive ideas to offer. I want to believe in a positive future and feel positive energy in life. I might not be suckered by the next politician’s panacea, but I’ll always try and offer something constructive in its place. That’s the first half!
The second half is that I will relate only to those suffering in their psychological and emotional lives who want to move past their pain and suffering. I’ve met a lot of swamp dwellers since I first started blogging. Those who gain their emotional sustenance from living in some dark place in life and enjoy doing so. I don’t wish to go there. Enough!
Negative energy is draining. In 2009, I’m going to start doing less social networking and more communing with like minds who share common aims and beliefs with me.
Robin, dearest Robin, has encouraged me no end to recognise my talents and beliefs. Overall in 2009, I’m going to do that. I’m going to cut everything out that does not accord with my beliefs and wellbeing and more importantly, that of others in this world. I’ll venture into the world knowing my beliefs are valuable and I have something to offer. Thank you again, Robin. Sorry to have been so slow!
In short, I’m going to have the courage to believe in my heart and to follow it. I’ll cut out most else. I know I have a good heart. That’s all I know.
Happy new year to you!
Business blog
January 16, 2009
Thank you for this post – up until now I hadn’t really thought about a “New Years” Resolution”, but this is certainly food for thought. Hmmm – my closet or as we call this in the UK my cupboard – I am sure there are plenty of things that I can send down to the charity shop…I gave up doing stuff for cluds as a freebie a while back so maybe I should begin again…
D
January 16, 2009
My resolution is to make time for myself. I have not done that in a very long time. I think that this year is the year that I just feel like being selfish.
Happy New Year!
Ds last blog post..President George Bush Farewell Address
Nards
January 17, 2009
Again, thank you for a great post TT! I am on an extended blog hiatus and so have not posted anything publicly for the last few weeks. This is as it should be…and it feels great! With the BC forum no longer on my “radar”, I have happily cut back on others as well! And like many of the responders to this post, my closet is also on my “to do” list. (Clutter can be suffocating). As for my genuine online friends? I’m keeping ‘em! But have cut back on my online presence, while deciding to spend more “face” time nurturing my family and pruning away those relationships that were emotional “dead wood”. This year has started out to be great! From across the miles: Much love, hugs and peace to you TT….~Nards!
Nardss last blog post..Song of the day: World – Five for Fighting
timethief
January 17, 2009
@Businessblog
Thanks for your comment.
timethief
January 17, 2009
@D
I think your pruning of everything that gets in the way of you taking time for yourself sounds like a good choice. The more we allow taking care others to drain our energy without replenishing it, the more likely it is they thers are experiencing us at our worst. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It’s the best thing you can do for everyone. Until you really are functioning at your very best, then everyone you love, and everyone you come in contact with isn’t getting the best of you. Best wishes :)
timethief
January 17, 2009
@Nards
It’s always so great to hear from you and I do hear you too. lol :D I’m still pruning here and there around the edges of my online life but our friendship will always be centered.
Love and peace
timethief
January 17, 2009
@Geoffrey
Thanks for taking the time to share the pruning you are doing. Without doubt you do have a good heart as does Robin. Your inspiration from her is a powerful affirmation:
I’m going to cut everything out that does not accord with my beliefs and wellbeing and more importantly, that of others in this world. I’ll venture into the world knowing my beliefs are valuable and I have something to offer.
Thanks so much for being my online friend.
Love and peace in 2009
timethief
January 17, 2009
@Melinda
I’m so sorry that I missed your comment way up there. Somehow I thought I had replied previously to you and to Bird too.
I think your ideas about pruning our “things” is something we all need to take to heart. I find I have more things than I actually use and that’s made me feel uncomfortable so donating them always improves my state of mind. This is not to mention the fact that it creates more space which in turn beckons for more things …. no! no! no! lol :D
I’m grateful for the contributions that were made to this post and to the comments. I’m likewise grateful for all the friends I have like you who have been bright spots in 2008.
Shine on :)
timethief
January 17, 2009
Dear Bird,
I apologize for missing your comment. I don’t know how but I did. I’m glad that the discussion here has led you to develop a clear picture of the need to establish a strategy for a time effective online networking. One can get sucked in and even become addicted to haunting forums while their email piles to the sky and comments, like yours, slip by unnoticed. :(
I think fondly of you in the countryside and will think of you when I hear the birds singing every day on my walking meditations in 2009.
Love and peace in 2009 and beyond
Chrissy
January 18, 2009
Well I did say that I was going to have a good look at my time spent on social networks and because I have have big demands on my time workwise, I have radically pruned them back..
In fact I also had a good long look at time I was wasting in my day to day life too. I resolved to spend more time with people that really matter across the board. I was giving away my time to people, particularly my son who wasn’t listening to any of my advice anyway….I may as well save some of the energy and invest it in my parents who do need the time right now!
Online has been similar
So far, I have spent no more than two hours on any social networking sites. So SU, BC, Twitter and EC have all been severely cut back.
Because of the time constraints, I have not visited as many of my friends blogs as I would like either…but I reckon it is ok. When I do get there I am reading properly and commenting instead of blasting everywhere. It is really quite freeing and enjoyable :)
Chrissys last blog post..A Mustang Moment
timethief
January 19, 2009
@chrissymarie
I too have pruned the amount of time I spend on social networking but I still have more pruning to do.
I want to prune the blogs I read down to a more manageable number so I can comment more on the ones I visit most frequently, and I want to get back into reviewing those blogs for BC and for stumbleupon too.
Although the social demands on my time are low right now they will pick up again and that’s why I want to be more organized.
At this point I’m beginning to organize and think about setting some goals, so I can develop a social media time management strategy that really works for me http://onecoolsite.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/social-media-time-management-strategy/
Love and peace in 2009 :)
Lana
January 20, 2009
I’m probably going to back off of artist listing websites. Customers don’t actually seem to go to those sites–everyone there’s just another artist seeking the same things I am. I’m glad I looked into it, but it’s a waste of time & energy at the end of the day.
Lanas last blog post..New Painting & a Heads Up
Faith
January 20, 2009
Awesome post!!!! It really makes you think about what you can let go in your life. I didn’t realize how the combination of everyone’s pruning was so powerful.
Oh and side note you’ll be missed on the threads.
Faiths last blog post..44th President…..Entering Stage Left Barack Obama!
Tony Single
January 20, 2009
This article was a breath of fresh air. Bravo!
It’s interesting to see what others have to say about what needs to be pruned from their lives. Here’s another question for you… what do we feel we can keep? It’s not as silly as seems. :)
Tony Singles last blog post..What Would Hitler Do?
timethief
January 21, 2009
@Lana
I suppose if you hadn’t checked into artist listing websites in 2008 then you wouldn’t know that were effective. That means that you will be better prepared for marketing your art in 2009. Or, at the very least that you will have the additional time and energy to be used elsewhere. I love your art BTW.
I hope you have a peaceful and productive 2009.
timethief
January 21, 2009
@Faith
I’ll be around when it comes to answering the blogging questions but I sure won’t be posting to the popularity contest threads. All my friends know where to find me, yourself included and we will keep in touch.
At present I’m doing some contract work so I’m having time management problems and I’m behind on answering comments and email. Hopefully, I’ll catch up at the end of the month when it comes to an end.
Have a great 2009 :)
The Totton Linnet
January 24, 2009
When pruning it is always sensible to take precautions to ensure that rot doesn’t set in especially those underground suckers. just a thought :)
The Totton Linnets last blog post..Yack yarns
timethief
January 24, 2009
@Totton Linnet
Indeed and it’s a good thought too.
Nick Grimshawe
January 26, 2009
I’ve decided to do some serious pruning too. A really interesting book for getting even more ideas is The 4-hour Workweek. This book is full of useful ideas. Batching is just one of them. Now I write all five of my newsletters for the week in one sitting, that way I only have to open all those links I use while writing once, instead of five times a week. That really saves time. I’ve migrated that idea to cooking as well. It is just as easy to make two as to make one. One for now, one to the freezer for later.
I want to prune by 50% that sounds like a lot. It’ll probably take me 6 months to do. But I am all ready feeling lighter.
Thanks for the ideas in your article. I’m oiling my pruners now.
Nick
Nick Grimshawes last blog post..Ten Quotes about the Journey
timethief
January 27, 2009
@Nick
It’s so interesting that we are on the same path. As well as pruning I’m also simplifying too and I do expect that it will take several months to get to the place I want to be. I intend to enjoy getting there are to be my own cheerleader as I reduce what’s unnecessary to create time and space for the things that are. I’m wishing you all the best with your reduction plan too.
Love and Peace
Kathleen
January 29, 2009
It might not necessarily be pruning, more like selecting. So instead of having a garden full of roses, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, anenomes etc, just grow tulips. Life is too complicated.
Kathleens last blog post..Gauche, moi?