Never watch a video if..
Is it a secret that we are programmed on what to watch? And this is dangerous.
Have you ever noticed that we are instructed and guided by algorithms on YouTube and by program directors on TV on what we are going to watch? I bet you have. Even on a subscription model, like Netflix, you are guided by proposed videos. We are been programmed.
We are not making a choice. You might think that you do, because you are picking just one video from the variety, and you call it a choice. The reality is, if your video consumption is not aligned with your life’s goals and mission, you are not holding the steering wheel. You are a passenger.
The word passenger comes from Old French “passager ” – meaning passing, transitory.
People who are creating video content that we watch think less of where they will take you with their video, and more of how to increase their views or sell something to you. They might not even know that their videos are like a transport, that transitions you from one place to another. The funny part is that most of the viewers are not sure where they are going, so going anywhere is fine.
I love this scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland where Alice meets the Cheshire Cat. Alice was puzzled by the choice of roads to take. So, she asks the Cat:
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
When we don’t care much which way to go, we will get somewhere if we walk long enough. And long enough means time. You will use a lot of time in your life to get somewhere.
But let us stop here for a minute and think: how much time are we talking about? For the past 3 years, I have been sure I have consumed approximately 5 hours a day on the bench watching videos. In 3 years, it is 5,475 hours. Now, where did I get with those hours invested in watching?
I assure you, I was not watching funny cats or soap operas. I watched what I call educational content: podcasts on success in different areas of life, political opinions, something inspirational, and less of tutorials. I thought those were productive videos. And if I had a product coming out of those 5K hours, then we all could agree that the watching time was productive. Instead, the videos just helped me to transition myself through life into “somewhere”.
No results to show for where I invested my time. I do have some political opinions, and I do have some understanding of those topics I have been interested to learn more about. But nothing in particular. Little bit here, little bit there. Collecting peanuts of positive results from my time investment.
Last summer, things changed. In the mentorship program of Dr. Sunday Adelaja, I had a task to watch a series of teachings on faith. Not that I was interested in the topic much, but the program is a program. So I watched approximately 10 videos until my perspective of my life totally changed.
I have taken so much value out of these videos that my days have stopped passing unnoticed. Every day brings me results in the areas where I pursue outcomes of my efforts. I was amazed by the impact.
It made me think: why would I spend time watching anything that does not have such a positive influence on my life? It also got me thinking of what influence I actually want to have.
Where do I go?
Where do I want to arrive?
And what content will take me there?
After taking some time to recalibrate my life’s focus, I came to the conclusion that watching habits have to abide by specific rules. My rules. Because it is my life and I am the one to decide which algorithms will govern it. Here are the rules.
Scrolling is a No-No
Goal-oriented people don’t wander anywhere to get somewhere. Scrolling is wandering. Like a social media slot machine I wrote about earlier. Stop scrolling. This has to be a one-and-forever decision: “From now on I don’t scroll. Full stop”.
Just like with any addiction, the scrolling habit can’t be negotiated. Thoughts like:
• I’ll scroll for the last time
• I’ll scroll just a few minutes, hours a day
• I’ll scroll only on Sundays
• I’ll scroll only if I am stuck in the queue with nothing to do
Cut it off.
There should not be “I’ll scroll” anymore.
I know it sounds radical. And maybe you feel like it is too much, or maybe your profession is somehow connected to being up to date with platforms. I know. I am a marketer. I need to understand how algorithms work. I need to know what is in the timeline. But the cost of 5K hours in 3 years is too high. I’d better find other ways of being up to date with the system I use for my professional goals. Same in your case. Think of the cost and ask yourself if you are ok to pay it.
Have a plan
Research what is it beneficial for you to watch. Make a playlist. Add the links to your notes and only watch what is in your list. You are the master of your time, not the algorithm. So, you have to come up with a system that will allow you to have easy and quick access to your playlists. Think of a few steps or clicks only. If the process of getting to your list of videos will be more than that, you will be sucked in by the algorithms that ensure easy access.
Beware of seduction
The platforms we use daily, like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, can be avoided totally. But if it can’t happen due to your work requirements or other reasons, ensure you have a protocol that helps you to react to the algorithm trying to take you in the direction you did not plan. Here is an example.
Imagine you are watching the playlist you have compiled. The platform will make some suggestions to you of similar videos or it “thinks” you might like based on your consumption history. Having a protocol means you know what to do when the algorithm is trying to seduce you into unplanned consumption.
Protocols consist of rules and steps. Here is one you can use in a situation when you see an interesting but unplanned video.
- Resist the urge to watch the video now (even for a minute)
- Add this video to a “Watch later playlist” or a custom playlist. All platforms have a functionality to create custom lists.
- If you added the video into a general “Watch later”, have a habit of weekly reviewing the list and redistributing the videos to custom lists according to the topics.
- Make custom lists easily accessible. For example, add references to your Notes app that is synchronized across your devices.
- Watch the playlists freely. It is your planned content.
Make the best out of it
Don’t just watch. Have a rule to take one or two lessons from each video you watch. This will allow you to be critical of the information you consume in the sense that you will analyse the content that benefits your goals.
Thinking of the next step you will take after watching any video, which is an analysis, will help you not watch to just waste time. You will invest time. But also, you will stop watching a video that is clearly not benefiting you and save your time.
Next steps
Think through the rules and how they benefit you. If you will be able to envision yourself practicing it, it will work for you. If you start without letting this information sink in your head, there will be no conviction for you to abide by these rules. You must convince yourself of why these rules are lifesaving.
And I say “lifesaving” again. Because 5 thousand hours is 228 days. Would you be willing to invest this time wisely? Never watch a video if..
