I Gotta Quit Social Media

The currency in the world of information is attention.

Recently, I've landed a job at a car dealership as a salesman. You can say I'm moving up in the world of sales: from electronics to vehicles. As well, I've recently been studying my Diploma of Project Management.

You might see a bit of a predicament. Studying a diploma while undertaking a job that requires 55 hours of work a week.

There's no place I'd rather be.

I can't remember where this piece of advice comes from, but where you are currently now are a result of your current habits.

Going forward in my career, I've got to kill bits of my old self. In the sense of separating the wheat from chaff. And disregarding anything that hinders my progress forward.

What are those old habits must I kill? Going to bed late. Spending time on social media, especially YouTube. Stop checking the group chat for new messages.

Stop messaging the group chat? Isn't that cutting off your friends, then?

My most important friends have got my number. They can contact via that way.

It's also solving the problem of emptying the limited RAM (Random Access Memory) my brain has. How much more effective will I be as salesman and scholar if I completely cut off all forms of social media?

And with social media, especially Instagram, there's the temptation to go down the spiral of pornography usage.

Deadass, whenever I get bored, I will go into the search bar on Instagram, tap random letters and see what profiles come up. Usually the sexually provocative kind.

And I know myself too well that if I keep it as a habit that it will lead to relapsing.

The greater benefit of getting this job is establishing routine. When you work casually, there's no guarantee of hours. You're usually on standby, waiting for that text message, call, or shift offer on the rostering app.

"Isn't there less freedom in being full-time?"

Sure, only if it's involuntary. But I think of a quote by Jocko Willink

"Discipline = Freedom"

If you can voluntarily adopt regiment and discipline, you are giving yourself to choose what path you go down. And, ultimately the results that comes from being disciplined.

"What about work-life balance?"

It's interesting during the job interview that one of the sales managers asked if the hours are fine. My response, an honest realisation and truth,

"I'm still young. Considering where I'm at, I don't think I can afford the position of having work-life balance."

There's a cost to success. There's a cost to anything you choose.

What's motivating me down this path? I'm afraid that when I turn 30 that I do not have any skills. That I am coasting and am at the mercy of life.

Yet, I am motivated by the exciting future ahead of me. That I am going down a path most do not dare to choose.

Most people are not willing to give up their freetime for a career. They want to party on a Friday and Saturday night. Consume drugs and alcohol. Indulge in casual sex and meaningless short-term relationships.

Ultimately, chasing after status from their peers.

For me, I am willing to sacrifice these worldly pleasure for something greater: skills, character development, career.

Okay, what about in your spare time? During the evenings and mornings?

Study, reading, creating content, writing, hanging out with friends when it suits.

The little time I do have left after my job, I do not want to give it to social media. These are the same companies who have behavioural scientists tweak app design to ensure users stay as long as possible.

You think you're going to beat them with your self-monitored moderation? I know I won't.

So, I hope you don't see me active unless I'm posting content.