Monday, October 3, 2022

What do you want to be when you grow up?

It is a lot easier to answer this question when we are children. Career ideas pop into our heads naturally as images of those we idolize most come pouring into our thoughts. We want to be like people who we think are good, or who do work that we think is good. Over time, our priorities can change as stress and pressure mount in the pursuit of fulfillment and a quality lifestyle. In other words, once we feel the clock ticking and the time comes to actually answer the question, giving an answer is complicated by the reality of choosing a job. It becomes harder to answer the first question because it is accompanied by others. How many hours to you want to work? How much money do you want to make? Where do you want to live? Would you take a lower paying job for the experience?

In my work I am surrounded by students and people who want answers about how to find balance in their lives. They want to know how to get the most out of every waking moment and to feel confident and prepared for the future. I see people blush and hear them get quieter as they prepare to tell me they are undecided in their major or unsure about the career path they want to pursue. The same goes for established professionals who don’t know if they want to continue on their current path or make a change. But even those who have an answer to the questions above typically follow up with a question too. “How do I start?” They think they know what they want to do but don’t know how to begin the process, connect with the right people, and many do not understand the value of free time.

Do you have any free time? What do you do in your free time? I love to ask people these questions.

As we start another week on a positive note, I am going to challenge how we typically read and think about free time. I used to think about free time as a possession that I could use for myself when I finally had it. It was always something I was chasing and looking forward to using. Free time meant going for a drive, watching a movie, reading a book, or being able to choose anything that required little physical or mental effort. We often think of free time as time for leisure. But what if your free time was structured? Would that completely ignore the definition of free time? I think structured, productive free time is the most effective way to enjoy ourselves and make progress without the pressure or stress of the structured time determined by external influence.

According to this study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, too much free time, like most things, does not make us happier. I got to a point when I was 23, living at home jobless with two degrees, that made me just show up to the athletics department in my hometown. It was interesting to me and I thought it might be an interesting career. The athletic director was kind enough to set up some time with me, so I told him, “I am available for 20 hours per week. Please use me.” It turned into an internship and eventual job offer later. Instead of always using free time for leisure, explore new interests, volunteer, and give your free time purpose. It can still be relaxing and it will improve your routine and sense of accomplishment.

3 Tips for Making the Most of Your Free Time

1. Fully invest in the activity of your choosing. Exercise, reading, even taking a nap are all a choice and an activity. Just because “active” is the root of “activity” does not mean you can’t actively relax, meditate, sleep. Involuntary actions are still actions.
2. Volunteer. The benefits of spending time and energy with other people for free are incredible. Be selfless when you can. Again, nothing has to be formal. Volunteer to play with your kids, volunteer to take your dog on a walk, volunteer in your community. It’s up to you.
3. Choose a new activity. Plan to try it for 30 minutes, once a week, for 1 month. Break it down into manageable commitments and see it through to give it a chance. Play tennis, write an article, go skiing or hiking. Google new ideas and try them without question.

1 Quote to Get You Thinking on the First Monday of October:

It’s up to you how you define your time.