Nick Graham: Youngest Grocer In America

Here's a great video about Nick Graham, a 17-year-old entrepreneur in Truman, Minnesota.

I have to admit, I've seen this 2.5 minute clip a dozen times. His story is just so refreshing!

Biggest Change in 2006

With 2006 three days into the history books, I reflected about the biggest event/change for me in 2006. It didn’t take me much time to realize which change in 2006 had the biggest impact on my life: I gave up watching TV (since April 2006).

Originally, I gave up TV (that makes TV sound like a drug or a bad habit, doesn’t it?) to save some money ($50 per month). As a college student with limited funds, I wanted to get “lean and mean” with my financial spending.

Aside from saving me $50 per month, however, giving up TV had numerous positive impacts on my life. Here’s a quick list of some of the observations I’ve made since giving up TV:

1. Watching people watch TV, now that's an interesting experience!
When you haven't watched TV in three months, it's a bit strange being in a living room with friends watching TV. Everybody's zoned in on the black box, hypnotized to the images running by their eyes. I, on the other hand, have no difficulty taking my attention away from the TV to read a book.

With a few exceptions (sports, in particular), TV is a very passive form of entertainment. The viewers have limited to no interaction with the TV, and often times, the viewers don't interact with the friends their watching the TV with. And I thought TV was supposed to bring people together!

2. I'm discovering other forms of entertainment.
Before I stopped watching TV, it was my schedule "filler." I would watch it after lunch, after dinner, and during the weekends. With TV out of the equation, however, I am more active (physically and mentally) - I go out more, read more, etc.

A few examples: Instead of watching a baseball game on TV, I am at PETCO Park watching the Giants play the Padres. Instead of watching TV after lunch, I go to the beach and surf for a few hours. Instead of watching TV, I'm reading books, focusing on school work, and being more productive.

3. My mind is clearer and I'm more focused.
My thoughts are more organized, I fall asleep faster and wake up earlier, and I'm sharper throughout the day.

In conclusion...
In general, not watching TV has made me more of the person I want to become. I tell my friends they should try it, and they gasp at the idea of not watching TV (oh no!). Personally, I haven't met anyone who decided to stop watching TV, and regrets it.

Click here for a more in-depth look at another blogger's experience.