Chapter 1: The Importance of Quality Input

Creating impactful content for your audience is a fundamental aspect of writing, and to achieve this, you must constantly seek out high-quality ideas. As the saying goes, a piece of writing is only as good as the ideas it embodies. Thus, continuous learning is essential; writing alone does not cultivate a writer. In the words of Stephen King in his book On Writing, “To be a writer, you must do two things above all else: read a lot and write a lot.”

Initially, I launched a free newsletter titled Thursday Bebop, intending to share insights from my readings along with my writing every Thursday. The hope was that others would find value in observing my creative process and the origins of my ideas.

For the first few weeks, I consistently published my newsletter, but by week five, I found myself unable to continue. Was it sheer laziness? Perhaps a bit, but a more significant concern loomed—my brain was not receiving nourishing content.

As I prepared to write the next newsletter issue, I realized I could recall nothing of substance from the week, only mindless YouTube videos. In that moment of realization, I closed my draft, promising to revisit it later, never to return.

Reflecting on my experience, I recognized that my writing had also deteriorated during this time; I fell into a slump, not posting anything for three weeks. This prompted a deeper introspection about my viewing habits. Everyone acknowledges that mastering a skill requires not only practice but also study—how could I enhance my writing skills if I spent my time aimlessly consuming content instead of reading valuable resources?

This realization was unsettling, and I knew I had to take immediate action. What could I do to remedy this situation?

If you resonate with my experience (and feel free to be honest), don’t worry—the solution is straightforward. You simply need to reassess your EvE ratio.

The concept of the EvE Ratio, introduced by author and entrepreneur Brian Tracy, refers to the balance of time allocated for education versus entertainment. Here’s how they are defined moving forward:

EDUCATION: Activities that foster your learning and personal growth.

ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoyable activities that do not contribute to your growth, and may even hinder it.

While I do have some reservations about the EvE Ratio, such as its tendency to create a misleading divide between “educational” and “enjoyable,” it does highlight that if your time is disproportionately spent on entertainment (as mine was), you are likely missing out on high-quality content that could elevate your writing skills.

That week while working on Thursday Bebop, I acknowledged that my EvE Ratio was severely unbalanced. Brian Tracy suggests a typical ratio of 50 parts entertainment to 1 part education; I was probably not even achieving that! Thus, I embarked on a journey to gradually adjust my ratio.

Here’s my best piece of advice: Practice Mindfulness

Bad viewing habits are like shadows—they dissipate in the light. By bringing awareness to your EvE Ratio, you can significantly enhance it. Sometimes, simply recognizing that your ratio is skewed can motivate you to make better choices. Here are a few strategies to increase your mindfulness:

• Visibility of Commitment: Place reminders throughout your home; set your lock screen to reflect your commitment to high-value content. Utilize habit-tracking tips you’ve learned in the past.
• Track Time Loss: I installed a widget on my iPhone to show how much time I spent on various apps, allowing me to accurately calculate my EvE Ratio and stay mindful of it. A general understanding of your ratio suffices.
• Meditation: Regular meditation fosters presence in various situations. This awareness acts as a strong counter to low-value content like TikTok, which often induces a trance-like state. Consider trying a guided meditation on YouTube once you finish reading.

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