GET A HOBBY
He is a hard-working, dedicated, even-driven, top store manager selected from his peers to represent his region. Great numbers, good income, lots of upward potential-no life.
I asked Paul (not his real name) what he does to unwind when he isn’t working the 80 hours a week that he does. “I don’t watch TV, but I also often don’t know what to do” he confessed, “so I wander the mall.” The really sad part is that his store is in the mall.
To his credit he does frequent his local gym four times a week-a good start.
Work (hopefully) leads to positive tension, which leads to motivation, and results. We want to achieve, so we dedicate our energies to making stuff happen. This is what Robert Fritz coined as “Creative Tension” (http://www.robertfritz.com/). Good for the company-good for us.
Going home to a tension-vacuum, where you have no goals or interests, other than YouTube surfing, Facebook (BTW the average user logs in daily and for 700 minutes/month), or zoning out with TV means nothing gets accomplished and we are missing that drive to motivate us and keep us healthy. Bad use of time-bad for us.
Maybe I’m at the extreme, but I have so many personal goals I am challenged to find the time for them. Whether it’s a construction project, training for a race, writing my blogs, helping my daughters with their homework, playing guitar, or running with my dog, the list is long, fun, and engaging. Good for seeing results-good for me.
Have a gap in your non-work activities?
Start with something simple, like taking a night class at your local college, trying new recipes for dinner, or reading about a favorite subject.
Trust me, it feels good to have a small goal for your home-time and it’s more rewarding than another night on Facebook.
About Hugh Culver
Hugh Culver co-created the world’s most expensive tours (to the South Pole), started five companies, and consults to Telus, Shoppers Drug Mart, Red Cross, and Bell. His keynotes, courses, and events teach and inspire leaders to do what matters, make a difference, and to fully show up. He is the author of Give Me a Break – the art of making time work for you.
See more from Hugh Culver
May 13, 2011 @ 15:15:36
Hi Hugh,
I am not sure our society needs the idea that we need more goals of active pursuit – perhaps look at the idea that a goal for downtime – REST – reduced external stimulus time is good for us too! It will certainly be a benefit to our nervous systems so we are more able to handle spikes in our days and regulate stress.
Just a thought – when I read – your blog from May 12th.
This is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Balancing suggestion!
InJoy!
Cheri
May 13, 2011 @ 20:00:43
Thanks Cheri
So true! It’s a bit bizarre but I do think that for many of us we need goals for downtime. The wound-up pace just leads to more frenetic activity. (I cover this on page 210 of my book:))