Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Getting Ready for 2011

I've said it before, I'm a media sponge. Admittedly there are many others who are able to absorb more than I, but I'd un-scientifically estimate that about 90% of my average waking day involves some sort of media.

I watch the news at the gym while I'm on the elliptical. We watch the news getting ready for work. I blog before work and try to read at least one or two others while eating breakfast. A book or magazine is with me during my morning commute. At work I'm on email all day long, both work & personal, I check FB, twitter, and various news sites throughout the day. Right now, I have 10 windows open in Explorer. Once I make it back home we're watching the news or The Daily Show and then whatever other TV show we're addicted to is on that night. And most nights the computer is on after dinner so I can finish reading any articles I didn't get to during the day or new blogs that have been posted. Does this sound familiar?

Over the years I've also signed up for a lot of email newsletters. Unfortunately, most of them are daily and my inbox is filled with more of these than emails from friends or family. They arrive in my work and personal email in-boxes. What's worse is that I want to read them all. If I don't, how do I know what's going on? There is so much information out there and so much happening every moment, I feel lost when I can't read the headlines at the very least just to get a snapshot. It would be impossible to read every article or tweet. Which reminds me, how do people tweet so much every day? Granted, less than a quarter of all twitter users actually use it a lot. But those who do, do a lot! Some days I will tweet frequently, but most days are pretty sporadic. All I hope is that I'm offering worth while tidbits of info (aside from the occasional "it's so cold in here!").


One of my goals for 2011 is to reduce the number of email newsletters I get. But where do I begin to cut?
  • AdAge Daily
  • MediaVOX
  • Ragan's Daily Headlines (PR Industry)
  • HARO (yes, this could probably go but it's so interesting to see what people are writing about!)
  • NY Times Media Decoder
  • ProBlogger Blog Tips
  • NY Times Today
  • TastingTable NYC
  • Vital Juice Everywhere
  • Vital Juice New York
  • Pop Sugar Daily Digest
  • Daily Candy
  • Flavorpill
  • Jetsetter
  • Tablet
  • The Beauty Bean
  • Eat This, Not That
  • Weight Watchers
  • Hungry Girl
  • Healthy Bitch Daily
  • Runner's World
  • Women's Health Daily Dose
  • New York Road Runners
  • Living Social
  • Groupon
  • And 1 (or 6) retailers and blog feeds
Wow, typing all this out makes me a little nauseous! I have gained at least a few insights from all of these, but there are definitely a few here that I can get rid of. Others though, I just can't part with. I imagine that hitting the 'unsubscribe' button while cleaning out my inbox will be a bit refreshing and will help me start 2011 feeling a bit lighter and my life a little less cluttered. Who knows, I might find a few extra minutes each day that I can reallocate to running or relaxing with my husband!

To be accountable for cleaning out my inboxes, in two weeks I'm going to revisit this post and report on how I've done!

Do you have an unhealthy addiction to media and e-newsletters like I do? Are you planning to lighten your inbox a little come 2011?

(fyi - if you want info on any of these newsletters or websites, just email me or leave a comment)
************
today's workout -
40min elliptical
3x10 upright row
3x12 overhead tricep extension
3x10 weighted side bend
3x10 cable pull twists

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I sign up for so many e-newsletters but then I never end up reading them

Raquelita said...

I often don't read the newsletters I sign up for, so over the past year I have pretty much unsubscribed from all but a select few.

Unknown said...

Wow... that's a lot! I would describe myself as mildly addicted to my Google reader, but newsletters don't really get much play. Good luck with project inbox declutter!

Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin said...

I love that goal of reducing emails in your inbox! Every day I wake up with like 14-16 new emails and its so annoying. Plus I get a lot more throughout the day. I might have to add that one to my list!

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

I have been trying to reduce my e-mail accordingly. Also, I have used Facebook less and less each week. We get used to having information at our fingertips when it's really not necessary(and neither is the $30 additional bill for your cell phone) That bill drives me crazy but I love being connected. Uhg!

RunToTheFinish said...

i actually started doing this about a month ago. I realized it was stressing me out to feel like I needed to read all of those. I also made some deals about turning off the tv sometimes to just have quiet

Tori said...

Personally, I think you should go to my blog and add an email subscription of mine to your list! hahaha! j/k...kinda! :)
I am starting to cut down on EVERYTHING lately - my FB friends, my # of emails, my # of magazine subscriptions. I need "less" to follow and keep up with. That's a great "goal" for my 2011 list!!! Thank you for that goal!!

FIToriBLOG.com
Facebook.com/FITori