Leisure: Use it Wisely

A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a man’s life

as in a book.

Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping.

Keep the time, observe the hours of the universe,

not of the cars.

Leisure time or free time is good for the soul. It is your best opportunity to re-charge your emotional batteries. Depending on how you spend it, leisure time allows you to truly express who you are and who you strive to be. You’ll feel at peace and content with your life when you begin to utilize non-work time doing the activities that you love.

Here are some tips on how to use your leisure time to your best advantage:

1. Ask yourself, “What do I really long to do?” Yes…make a list. Include simple as well as complex projects and activities you’ve always wanted to do.

Your list might have items on it like: do yoga 3 times a week, watch those DVDs I bought 6 months ago, read at least one novel a month, learn to play guitar, take a pottery class, or spend 2 hours making a scrapbook from last year’s vacation photos.” Whatever makes your heart sing?

2. Look at your calendar. It’s important to get a visual sense of how much leisure time you have in a given week. It can be exhilarating to realize you have 20 hours of leisure time each week.

When does most of your leisure time occur? In the evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.? Or is it only on the weekends? Or both?

Using a paper calendar (although you can use your smart-phone, too), highlight the time blocks when your free time will happen in the coming week. This part of the exercise alone will make you feel a little excited and happy when you do this step. It just feels great to know you’ve got some “me time” coming.

3. Plan desired activities by writing them into your schedule. It might be unusual for you to consider using your calendar to “schedule” leisure time. However, if it’s written in the calendar, like an appointment, you’re more likely to follow through.

Here’s an example: You might reserve 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday to read a novel. From 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. you plan to work on vacation scrapbook. From 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., perhaps it’s a call to an out of state sibling.

It’s not really necessary to schedule every unscheduled bit of time you have. However, if it’s written into your schedule, it will be a great reminder for you to begin doing many of the things you long to do. You’ll get focused and feel more fulfilled once you start doing the activities you choose.

4. Pick up or gather all the necessary supplies for favored activities in advance. You’ll be prepared to jump right in when the time arrives, if you already have the supplies you need. Use shoe boxes or plastic bins to store supplies so everything will be at the ready when leisure time rolls around.

5. Regularly update your list of desired activities. This is the wonderful thing about enjoying leisure time. You have absolute control over this process. You are free to change your mind and develop new, exciting interests at your whim.

Life is incredibly enriching when you realize that you can start spending some of your time taking part in activities you find stimulating, interesting, or just plain fun.

To feel content and develop a real enjoyment of life, use leisure moments to your best advantage. Make it a challenge to yourself.

Do every single thing you desire.

Enrich your life by really enjoying your leisure time!

So….what new thing are you going to pursue?

photo credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tourismnewbrunswick/4991286872/sizes/z/in/photostream/