I've issued an edict for myself: I'm going to stop wasting time on Facebook and start wasting time on Pinterest.
Here's why: Trolling Facebook does nothing for me, but trolling Pinterest ignites my creativity.
I'm not alone in my addiction to my distraction devices. True confession: I've been in the presence of my dearly-loved and much-missed college-age daughter and found myself clicking through spam on my phone.
I only get to see her every month or so, yet my impulse to check and click was so strong that it overrode rational behavior.
My sister, who works in a large office, said, "If I go to the bathroom and forget to bring my phone, I'm annoyed and anxious because now I have nothing to do."
It would be great to go cold turkey, but the reality is most of us are going to continue grabbing for our devices. But at least we can be somewhat intentional.
Below are the three criteria for wasting time on the Web. Think of these like a nicotine patch. You're not giving up your drug. You're weaning yourself off it with a different delivery system.
Use these three filters to maximize your distraction time:
1. Chose life-enhancing info
Reading the headlines may make you feel informed, but at a certain point you're no longer adding to your intellectual acumen, you're just trolling. Instead start poking around sites that will jumpstart your brain waves.
One place I love to waste time is on TED.com -- "Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world." The short video talks run the gamut from provocative to informative to funny, often all three within 12 minutes. TED.com is a favorite on my Nav Bar. It's my favorite go-to procrastination technique. I find myself referencing Ted Talks in my conversations with clients and my kids. Use the web as a shortcut for fun, painless passive ways to make yourself more interesting.
2.Prioritize beauty
For me, beauty is a business value. I don't expect myself and my colleagues to look like supermodels. But I've come to recognize that surrounding myself with aesthetically pleasing objects and being intentional about creating aesthetically pleasing spaces affects the way I think about myself and how I experience life.
One of the reasons I love Pinterest is that I find myself smiling. When I look at all the beautiful homes, flowers and clothes it calms me and energizes me at the same time. If you're going to surf, choose sites with visual imagery that ignite your frontal lobes.
3.Converse with big thinkers
Have you ever been annoyed or even irate over a stranger's comments on the web? The Internet is the great equalizer, anyone can comment on anything. The problem is, all people aren't equal. Some people are smart and thought-provoking, while others are stupid and rash.
A friend of friend of mine says, "Why should I care what the thousand dumbest people with Internet access think?"
Just because 500 people have a strong opinion about something doesn't mean that they represent a significant portion of public opinion. Reacting to them gives them power they don't deserve. That doesn't mean you should insulate yourself. Smart people expose themselves to different thinkers, the operative word being thinkers.
The web gives you the world in your pocket -- explore it wisely.
Lisa Earle McLeod is a sales leadership consultant. Companies like Apple, Kimberly-Clark and Pfizer hire her to help them create passionate, purpose-driven sales forces.
She is the author of several books including Selling with Noble Purpose: How to Drive Revenue and Do Work That Makes You Proud, a Wiley publication. She has appeared on The Today Show, and has been featured in Forbes, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. She provides executive coaching sessions, strategy workshops, and keynote speeches.
For more by Lisa Earle McLeod, click here.
For more on emotional wellness, click here.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.