How much of your time do you schedule?

[kingfu]

Just wondering for those of you who have created successful muses which don't require too much time investment....how much of your week do you schedule?

Im at a point where i can't fill all the hours in the day up with leisure activities, i dont seem to have the imagination to come up with enough things. So i end up getting bored and i'll just return to working on my muse, even tho i know with regards to teh 80/20 principle that the ROI on that work isn't going to be high.

This seems to be a cycle which im finding quite hard to break. I dislike inactivity. The only way I can think of breaking it is to schedule in advance some serious blocks of time to set aside for play time? How much leisure time do you schedule per week?

[kamakiri]

This week was a big one, but I ran a 10k Sunday, Did a summer festival at a friends shop, and took a 5 hour yacht trip on Tuesday. All that and worked 8 hours each day.

I can suggest 4 things:
1. Learn to play the guitar (or any instrument) Aside from making you smarter, this is a great life skill.

2. Learn a new language. This is one of Tim's favorites, and can be done cheaply and easily. Many community colleges have evening language courses that you can take to get started.

3. Start exercising. You could fill hours studying and researching your exercise plan on top of the 3-4 hours a week you would spend in the gym.

4. Visit your local attractions. Many people don't realize just how many things there are to do. When I made the decision to leave Minnesota, I spent my last month visiting every zoo, landmark, museum, and place of any significance I could. Aside from building great memories, I saw some pretty cool stuff.

[kingfu]

thanks for the post. i already do 2 and 3 and 4. I'm abit of a history buff so love going to old estates etc.

how did you manage to do all that AND work 8 hours a day?

thing is i still have shed loads of free time. i'm out most evenings aswell doing salsa, seeing mates. hmmm i guess i just gotta try harder, think of even more new things. the biggest hurdle really isn't the evenings, its filling up the days with activities which i find hard.

[froldt]

I was going to suggest learning an instrument. My goal is the violin, and I've heard that actualy instruction is best, or I'd have me some books and be teaching myself. I picked up a bit of guitar that way, but I also know I'd be way better if I had a teacher.

What other skills/activities have ever interested you?

Some sort of art, be it painting, drawing, photography, pottery or weaving. One of my goals is to actually sit down and practice more. I've got a notebook that I'm going to fill up as my end result.

Different ways to travel. I will be spending lots of time on a motorcycle once I can afford it. A farther-off goal is to attend a driving school, and possibly a motorcycle school, get really good at both of those. My wife and I are going to learn to sail. Back to the motorcycle thing, I want to restore/build a bike (not sure which yet, maybe both!) So that'll be a good project to work on. You could practice kayaking/canoeing, bicycling, hiking, rock climbing, etc. Get a pilot's license.

Play lots of golf.

I can't think of anything else right off-hand, but I'd say that you can think back over anything that interested you in the past and pursue it. Go to a book store and peruse the magazine section and see what catches you eye, then try it out if it looks interesting after some reading.

[kingfu]

froldt, thanks for the ideas, sounds like you've got alot going on!

I do actually do alot of your great suggestions, i play golf (atleast attempt to!), hike and others such as going to the gym, mma, salsa, learning spanish etc. Instruments and music arn't really my bag, plus im tone deaf lol however i like your other ideas. always fancied kayaking and also something artistic...maybe painting.

the problem is to a large extent is finding things to do during the day which are also sociable. i feel sometimes a bit like a social leaper. not only do i work from home i also live on my own.

Evenings are ok, i goto salsa, meet up with friends etc however during the day it does make me feel like crap alot of the time. Being bored means i think alot and i personally don't think thinking alot is ever good for your mental wellbeing. However im going to keep at it, i will crack this somehow, this is just another challenge to be solved. I brought a new laptop so when i do work atleast i can sit in a coffee shop and be around people.

I've never done well with inactivity.

What other things do you have planned? Maybe i could get some more inspiration!!

[froldt]

froldt, thanks for the ideas, sounds like you've got alot going on!

...always fancied kayaking and also something artistic...maybe painting.

...the problem is to a large extent is finding things to do during the day which are also sociable.

We don't have nearly as much going on right now as we want, but those are all on the todo list, and we can't wait!

If you look around locally, you should be able to find groups of people who are interested in the same things you are. I have some friends who are almost always available for a day of kayaking. They work as photographers for themselves and set their schedule as desired. I met them online from a common interest of geocaching (a treasure hunt game using a GPS).
I know a number of people who are interested in hiking, so I can generally call around and find someone to go on a trip with me, if I give a few days notice. It might not be a big group, but I can find at least one or two other people to spend the day with in various activities.

As for the art, I would look for local art clubs. There are groups of people who get together and paint or draw or whatever. The groups I have been a member of met at night, but I have seen some that meet during the day. So if you look around, I'm sure you can find someone. This way you might not only be able to socialize, but also pick up a new skill.

Perhaps you could find some classes that might interest you at a local college. Some photography (or other art classes) or a specific period in history, if that's your thing. It would definitely get you around a group of people during the day, and you could focus on things that interest you.

[kingfu]

Thanks again for the suggestions froldt.

I've actually been geocaching for a few years now, love it. Never found any local groups however so its generally something I've done on my own.

I'm definitely going to join a painting class to my list.

Hows the sailing going? I've enquired on doing a dinghy sailing course and i'll work my way up from there.

John

[AntonTheKhan]

Play sports. Go in the park and find friends to play with.

Thanks again for the suggestions froldt.

I've actually been geocaching for a few years now, love it. Never found any local groups however so its generally something I've done on my own.

I'm definitely going to join a painting class to my list.

Hows the sailing going? I've enquired on doing a dinghy sailing course and i'll work my way up from there.

John