15 Things I Gave Up When I Decided to Write
Writers give up something when they do write their stuff. We call this opportunity cost. And some opportunity costs may be too high to justify the choice to write.
Opportunity Cost
When I get to write something, I know that I missed doing other things which I might have done. In economics, they call this opportunity cost.
Wiktionary defines opportunity cost as the cost of an opportunity forgone (and the loss of the benefits that could be received from that opportunity). We have to make a choice each time we write but we do because we find writing a very important preoccupation at the moment.
Some people lament that they do not have time to write. This means that they place more importance or priority to something which they think is a better alternative to spending it in online writing at a given time. But for someone who got addicted in online writing, it’s a different story. I illustrate this with examples from my own experience.
My Opportunity Costs
In a typical day, what then are my opportunity costs in writing here in Triond? Here are those I encountered:
1. I have to stay focused in front of the computer instead of viewing the television or a movie.
2. I could not write in other writing sites where remunerations for my work may be greater.
3. Instead of taking a rest from a day’s work, I find myself typing some words here.
4. I could not fix my table of clutter while I write. Things jumble in front of me.
5. I deferred reading an interesting book about an interesting topic.
6. I have to do some repairs at home but I keep on postponing it.
7. The dog keeps on barking getting my attention but I ignore it.
8. I give up time talking with my family for the moment I write.
9. I was not able to file documents which build up behind me.10. I miss out drinking water after a meal.
11. I missed seeing the stars in the sky.
12. I was not able to have my hair cut.
13. I missed two hours of sleep.
14. I missed time for exercise.
Finally, and I think the worst choice I did which happened for the first time:
15. I forgot my wife’s birthday! I chose writing than greeting my wife!
The truth is, there are many other things that I missed since I get hooked writing in Triond and making comments on other writers’ articles. Forgetting something important is the worst. Imagine what can happen to you when you get addicted to online writing and absorbed in the need to reciprocate other writers’ efforts to comment on what you write. Many things have to be sacrificed.
Do you have lots of opportunity costs due to writing addiction?
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Tags: addicted, examples, forgetting, Online Writing, opportunity cost, write, Writing
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March 5th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Good Stuff
Keep the good work on
March 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Wow such devotion and you are definitely a wonderful writer, really enjoy your articles.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Actually, writing has made me stop doing worse things, like eating junk food and playing video games. I write instead of doing those things. Also, it has organized my day for the better, making exercise easier to follow.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Balance the loss with the gains,
Shared intellect is more the brains,
writing takes dedication and time,
it can require deep reason and merry rhyme,
but remember there are other things as important in life,
like walking the dog and celebrating the birthday of your wife.
Great article
March 5th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Great post. I did not eat while I was writing, so I might overcome my food addiction. I did feed my cats and I was not writing while I read this article, but Triond is addictive indeed.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
LOL! Now I’ve read this and submitted my latest article, I shall go and tidy the house and think about what I’m feeding the dinner guests tonight.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
My biggest opportunity cost has to be spending too much time on site commenting and not enough time on my novel. I am still trying to get the balance right.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
My list should look similar. For example, I had sworn not to touch my computer in the morning, but go the gym. Yet, here I am, typing a comment. Triond has become a habit that surely eats my time. I know it’s important to plan, but it’s difficult dealing with an obsession.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Sounds like a second job to me. Don’t forget to enforce a quitting time upon yourself so you don’t forget another important event. PS: I hope you made that up to your wife!
March 5th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Good Work
March 6th, 2010 at 6:41 am
How Nice!!! You have written very well.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Ah well this is another opportunity cost for me but my fingers wouldn’t stop. Thank you all my Dear Friends for giving up some of your time to read this article.
@amandeep, thanks for the continued support.
@diamondpoet, you always have a guaranteed presence and encouraging remark.
@wiggles, it’s good writing gave you an excuse to do something more fruitful.
@Night Story, nice to hear from you again. That’s a beautiful poem with a good reminder.
@Martine, you got positive outcomes like wiggles, too.
@Val, I could see your enthusiasm in your latest article.
@bailieman, yes, we need to strike a balance. Actually I’m thinking of retiring before reaching retirement age to devote time to writing.
@Uma, yes, I think I’m obsessed, not only addicted.
@Pam, yes, I made it up with my wife with difficulty.
@ganeshgolha, thank you for keeping the read.
@devsir, I appreciate the continued support.
Please bear with me if it will take time for me to see your articles too.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:53 am
This is amusing. It is true you must make time for writing, but you have given me an idea for another writing article.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Very true indeed. I get lost for at least 3-4 hrs a day on Triond I can afford the time as I am waiting for an operation. When i get a full time job again, I feel I wont be able to write as much. Great article. LB
March 6th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
We really have to sacrifice a lot of things to get our writing habits done, kabayan. Not to mention the strain in the eyes, effort and lack of sleep. That’s life.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
A good job Patrick and very true.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
great share..thanks for that
March 7th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Welcome to the world of the anti-socials. LOL! But I must say, the last one was really bad, bad, bad. Hope you were able to make up for it really well.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:16 am
We all give up something when we write.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:44 am
well written
March 10th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Wow. You do look like a writing addict. You need to see a psychiatrist.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
That is sad, especially about your wife… But I admit I have missed out on a few things from being on this site. Especially sleep…
March 12th, 2010 at 5:57 am
i have a lot of things that i need to give up too in order to write here.. haha
March 12th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
This is funny but true. It got me thinking of all the stuff I am missing. About your wife’s birthday, please make it up – write her a nice and romantic poem.
March 14th, 2010 at 3:20 am
Hmmmmm. I “sacrifice” office jobs to write. Not just for triond but writing for publications and working on my blog and hopefully on my screenplays (formatting and marketing). It is worth going a little broke for the sake of your dreams. So the opportunity cost for me is a regular monthly paycheck.
p.s. the concept opportunity cost brings back memories from my undergrad economy classes. Didn’t enjoy the courses, but I sure as hell loved this concept, in addition to “trade off”s.