{"id":2964,"date":"2011-08-03T06:32:37","date_gmt":"2011-08-03T11:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christophergronlund.com\/blog\/tjw\/?p=2964"},"modified":"2011-08-03T10:59:54","modified_gmt":"2011-08-03T15:59:54","slug":"what-to-do-when-you-find-the-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.christophergronlund.com\/blog\/tjw\/2011\/08\/03\/what-to-do-when-you-find-the-time\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When You Find the Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"On Monday<\/a>, I posted an entry about how to make time. People really seemed to like it.<\/p>\n

I received email from somebody asking what to do with that time when you reclaim it.<\/p>\n

I thought it was weird.<\/p>\n

Last night, though, a friend posted on Facebook that he was checking work email. Since I’m working on a big project with my day job, I almost <\/em>booted up my work computer to check email as a reaction to reading about a friend working late.<\/p>\n

And that’s not like me.<\/p>\n

While I’ve worked nights and weekends, recently, it’s my choice. I wrapped up work earlier today, shut my work computer down, and put it in my briefcase so it wouldn’t even be on my desk until morning. But for a moment, I almost dragged my work system out to check what I’ll see after posting this entry and having breakfast.<\/p>\n

This is the closest I’ve ever been to having that knee-jerk reaction to checking on work, even when I don’t need to. So I can understand people being so wrapped up in work–for so long–that they don’t know what to do with their time when they finally take a stand and claim an hour or two.<\/p>\n

So here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n

How to Kill an Hour of Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n

See People –<\/strong> It’s possible to live with people you love and not really see them. Or maybe you always tell friends you’d love to get together for a drink. So why not do it?<\/p>\n

Play a board game with your family; spend some time just talking to your spouse or a good friend. Go in the yard or to a park and play with your kids.<\/p>\n

The people we love are a big reason to work hard and live a life you enjoy. So get busy seeing some people! No TV–no distractions–just enjoying time really being with people who make your life snazzy.<\/p>\n

Meditate –<\/strong> Meditation doesn’t have to be a big thing; it can be as simple as telling everybody you live with to give you half an hour or an hour, going in a room, closing the door–maybe turning out the lights–and relaxing.<\/p>\n

Maybe you listen to music to block out background noise and then work to clear your head. Maybe you go as far as earplugs and sit in a chair with your eyes closed and relax. (I use ear defenders people use when shooting guns.) Maybe you love stretching out on the couch and staring at the ceiling. (I’m a big fan of this one, too.) Hell, maybe it’s a certain videogame that clears your mind. (Certain snowboarding games were once my go-to Zen-flow break.)<\/p>\n

Meditation doesn’t have to be what many people think: sitting in lotus position and saying “Ommmmmm…” over and over.<\/p>\n

Just spend time alone, clear your mind, and relax!<\/p>\n

No matter what you do afterward, any tension from a busy schedule eventually melts away.<\/p>\n

Get Out –<\/strong> Even if it’s just getting out with somebody for a cup of coffee, go someplace else!<\/p>\n

Don’t talk about work; talk about things that don’t<\/em> stress you out.<\/p>\n

Some of the best evenings of my life have been spent visiting friends, or having friends over so they <\/em>can get out and not have to worry about dinner, cleanup, or anything like that. I’m also a fan of an evening drive in the country with my wife.<\/p>\n

You’ll find that you do better work when you–at the very least–get out for a short time.<\/p>\n

So do it!<\/p>\n

Read – <\/strong> One of the best ways to lay claim to time is to do something so many people say they don’t have time to do: read!<\/p>\n

Grab a book and curl up on the couch for an hour and lose yourself. Turn off the TV, go to bed early, and spend some time reading. Go to a park, sit under a tree, and read.<\/p>\n

If you write, you should be reading. Really <\/em>reading. As in “no device like an iPad that allows you to jump online every five minutes to see what’s up in the world,” reading!<\/p>\n

An hour to seriously do nothing else but read.<\/p>\n

It’s amazing how many writers no longer do this.<\/p>\n

Move Your Body –<\/strong> Go for a walk or hike. Put a heavy bag in your garage and beat the crap out of it for awhile. (A friend<\/a> does this.) Lift some weights.<\/p>\n

I’m a sucker for tennis. And juggling.<\/p>\n

There are times in my life when the stresses of work and a medical condition make me want to put holes in walls.<\/p>\n

That all goes away with something as simple as a walk.<\/p>\n

Exercise is great.<\/p>\n

Get some!<\/p>\n

Soak in the Tub –<\/strong> A couple weeks ago, while working on a Saturday night (yeah, I really <\/em>did that…soooooooooo<\/em> not me!), my wife told me she was going to draw a bath for me, light some candles, and make some green tea.<\/p>\n

She told me to get my ass in the tub and relax.<\/p>\n

It worked.<\/p>\n

If you reclaim an hour of your time, a soak in the tub is a good way to spend 60 minutes.<\/p>\n

Hobbies –<\/strong> I know people who don’t have hobbies. As a juggler for 30 years, I find that beyond strange. I’ve talked to some people without hobbies and the story is always the same.<\/p>\n

They feel a hobby is frivolous.<\/p>\n

Bullshit!<\/p>\n

There’s no better reason to be an adult than to be able to do the things you enjoy. For no other reason than that: you enjoy something.<\/p>\n

My wife<\/a> sews and juggles. I juggle and have other hobbies.<\/p>\n

To not <\/em>do something you love is a travesty to your very existence! There are people out there who would kill to have the opportunity to pursue something for no other reason than they want to.<\/p>\n

So find something you dig…and do it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Stick to Plans –<\/strong> Sure, there are times when you have to cancel plans for work or other responsibilities…but at some point, you have to take a stand.<\/p>\n

I’ve heard managers tell coworkers that coworkers’ kids will have more baseball games and other things down the line. I was told by one old manager that since my wife and I don’t have kids, that I should be even more <\/em>available to work at a moment’s notice and travel for my job.<\/p>\n

One of the crappiest things you can do to yourself is let other people dictate how you live your life and spend your time.<\/p>\n

So if you have plans, stick to them!<\/p>\n

Stop Reading This!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you’ve read this far and have done nothing for yourself today, stop reading this and go do something you want to do! (It’s 6:30 a.m. and I’ve already spent an hour on other writing and half an hour on this entry.)<\/p>\n

It really is <\/em>as easy as claiming an hour and doing your thing.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

I’m curious: what do you <\/em>like to do when you have an hour all to yourself?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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