when i teach groups, most people look at me with wide blank stares when i ask them what they'd like to do with all the extra time they hope to have. we spend sessions learning ways to be more efficient, ways to prioritize, and ways to do annoying tasks in the shortest possible amount of time. great, right? so what's missing?
the fact that we are not encouraged in this society to plan for leisure time. there is a reason that we have people employed as "recreational therapists" in this country. we have forgotten how to set this time up for ourselves.
when faced with the possibility of wide open amounts of time, most people respond with constriction and terror rather than relief. why? because we are conditioned from an early age that occupation=value. we ask each other how we're doing and answer with a knowing, "very busy." and pat each other on the back for being so productive.
but is this really productive? here's how to embrace your time in order to have more of it. what is the answer? clear and desirable goals to move towards rather than having to deal with leisure as yet another scary unknown in life.
once again, tim ferriss has it right.
re-reading tim ferriss's 4 hour work week has been a wake-up call. it is so hard to break out of the habit of feeling that futzing in front of a computer or running errands or any other businessesque activity is more valuable than going to a gallery, having lunch with a friend, or taking a walk out in nature. one gets the gold star from the world, and the other gets a condescending "must be nice" from our family and friends.
take ferriss's advice and stop this line of thinking in its tracks. there is no reason why you shouldn't be rewarded for doing more in less time. the best way to hold onto these gains is to have a plan in place for your free time.
start with a list. what do you dream of doing "if only you had time?" some i've heard in sessions with clients or in general conversation:
- take a college course in a subject someone missed out on in school
- visiting friends who live in an exotic far off location
- learning a language
- playing an instrument
- painting
- sleeping later or taking naps
- taking time for exercise and/or self care
add your own. then, next to each one, think of an action you could take to get closer to this goal. example: learn a language.
- step one: look for a local class.
- step two: make space in your schedule and sign up.
this is a way to change a free-form desire into a concrete way you will use that freed-up time. this makes it more important to practice efficient use of time and more discipline in completing work tasks because you get to do something with that time that feels good, rather than sitting around worrying and feeling guilty for "not working"
and even if you greatest wish is simply to lay on the beach, there is no reason not to have that included is there?
now get started listing. and to add in the component of money, check out the great worksheets on www.fourhourworkweek.com
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