Often times, when I’m really busy and have important deadlines to meet and to-do lists that are four pages long, I stumble upon the biggest time wasters ever.
This week was no exception. I’m putting the finishing touches on a 7-day itinerary for a Spring Break trip I am leading for 14 students to Washington D.C. and New York City. And what do I find… Google Search Stories Video Creator.
I haven’t done a lot of research on it as I went immediately to playing, so I don’t know if it’s new or if I am the last person to find out about it. But either way, I couldn’t step away from it.
These 35-second clips are nothing more than a promotion for Google and a method for forcing users to set up YouTube accounts. Creating a YouTube channel is a little out of my comfort zone. I feel I should start making covers of music like this video I am currently obsessed with. And don’t even get me started on the data “they” are collecting on me.
But when I find something like this, my distraction from immediate priorities knows no bounds and my will must be done. You just input your searches, what Google method you want to use (Images, Blogs, News, etc.) and choose your music.
While I definitely plan to make 1,054 more of these for absolutely no reason other than my own enjoyment, I do actually think they would be great for quick marketing purposes for those with no budget and with no technical skills. This could be useful for us higher education professionals and student organizations to promote events and programming. You could get very funny and creative with these. And they are already online and easy to share. Again, no technical ability needed.
I created two “search stories” about the areas I’m most engulfed in right now.
Perhaps it’s just the need for procrastination, but I am hooked. At least until the next distraction comes along.
What are your favorite time wasters?
Balance Overload 
I’m already hooked on your new time-waster and I haven’t even tried it yet. Fun!
Haha, thanks Shary! Yes, I got hooked just looking through everyone else’s too!
Hmm…Facebook!
Ah yes, I’ve heard of that one… 🙂
oh my gosh, don’t get me started on time wasters. Lord of Ultima, the game that my husband got me hooked on, is my worst offender right now. I realistically should be practicing Two-On-Two-Off with my agility dog, adding a distraction to Obedience Dog’s focused healing, and training New Recruit to sit.
Instead, I’m blabbing with my blog friends and playing games. 😉 Oh well!
umm….i just tried it and it told me “that’s not much of a story, try entering some more search terms” – – – thanks google.
It said that to me too the first time… just Google’s way of trying to push you to your potential! 😉
I know what you mean. I love the search stories. In fact, I put my search stories video on my new work webpage: http://www.leahrsinger.com
I think your site is actually where I saw it first! Congrats again!!
Thanks not only was that fun, it’s very addictive.
I know, right?! Thanks for checking out the blog and commenting!
Caryn, this is so cool! And now you’ve made me waste a huge amount of time with Google search stories creator! hee hee! Yes, procrastination drives us to waste time but damn if we don’t have fun doing it! 🙂
Exactly Bella — We all need some distractions! I’m glad you had some fun with it!