The Creating/Consuming Ratio

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Not a reading person? No problem!
Just click play and i’ll read it to you..

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What is this ratio all about?

A recent study shows that an average person in the US consumes about 11.5 hours of information everyday.
This includes everything from browsing the web, social media , mobile phone apps, work, etc.

These distractions have become so normal, that they are an integral part of our lives now.
Especially now, when everyone is at home due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Why do I call them distractions?
Because they lead us away from our desires and goals.
 
I have often caught myself binge watching videos and reading articles/books about the things I want to do.
I end up comparing myself to the best ones out there and enter this infinite cycle of watching videos to make my content equally good, or heck, even better!
But I will never be able to achieve that goal. Not if I continue down the same path, without taking action.

Sadia from PickupLimes posted a wonderful video about this simple ratio and how following it can help us find a perfect balance. (or imbalance 😛 )
 
I personally feel that everyone wants to create something.  
Now, creating does not only mean painting or making something creative.
 
It can be anything that adds value to your life.
Everything from building your career, your personal brand or even simple things, like tidying up your room to help you think more freely.

Why should you follow this?

Short Answer: To do more of what you love and not just build castles in the air.
 
I have multiple interests in life and given a chance, I would love to peruse them all!
I love making music and learnt how to play 5 instruments.
I recently fell in love with drawing, as a way of expressing myself and I am also very passionate about teaching, among other things.

Being creative is hard and quite often, does not turn out the way you wanted.
The picture I wanted to draw looked so much better in my mind.
 
The important thing is to just start and do more of it!
Only when you start, you’ll have a realistic picture of where you are and compare it with where you want to be.
 
I am not suggesting to stop consuming content and information altogether.
In fact you have to consume information to get different perspectives and set a goal!
 
We should just be mindful about what and how much we consume and make sure we are creating more than we consume.

How does one apply this ratio in Life ?

Here are a few things you can try:

• Pomodoro Technique: An alarm for every 25 minutes of a certain activity. This will help you gauge how much time has gone by.
• Digital Wellbeing App: If you have an android phone, you can use this app to limit the number of hours you spend on each app and also block out entire group of apps for a certain time of the day. I am sure Apple has a similar app that you can try.
• Calendar Blocking: Block out a certain time in your calendar as a designated creation time! Remove all your distractions and just work on what you like.

Okay, but does this actually work?

I have personally felt so much better after I work on something and complete it, even if it where of a sub par quality.

I generally sleep so much better when I create more than I consume.
And besides, the only way to know for sure is if you give it a try yourself 🙂
 
So, lets build a happier and satisfying life by finding our own unique ratio of Creating vs Consuming.

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