“It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?” ~Henry David Thoreau
Last week my younger brother visited me for five days. To ensure I could spend as much time with as possible, I worked extra hard during the weekend before he arrived.
It amazed me to realize how much I could accomplish when I had a strong motivation to be efficient.
During the week, I put in a couple of hours in the mornings to handle pressing issues, and then spent the afternoons and evenings going out with him. Once again, I was surprised to realize just how much free time could be available to me if I consciously chose to be more effective while working.
This made me think of Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
I realized then that I’d given myself more time than necessary for work, and as a result, I ended up spending a lot of time procrastinating and entertaining myself online.
How might things change for me, I wondered, if I chose to commit to more social and recreational activities, made them priorities, and then once again had a strong motivation to finish work more quickly?
I realize not everyone has flexibility in their work schedules, but I suspect we could all create more time for ourselves if we had a strong incentive to cut out the choices that don’t align with our strongest desires and intentions.
Maybe it’s blog hopping, or zoning out in front of the TV, or my personal favorite, searching the web for things you may want to do. If there’s one thing that’s consumed my time the most, it’s researching how I actually want to spend it.
I believe what John Lennon said is true: Time that you enjoyed wasting was not wasted. And I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with using technology if we’ve consciously chosen to do it.
However, we owe it to ourselves to get out in the world and explore different possibilities—to be playful, to be curious, to be engaged, to be.
Perhaps it would be much easier to do that if we asked ourselves: How can I be more effective? What am I currently doing that I can minimize? And how can I start using the time I’ve created in a way that will excite and inspire me?
Photo by h.koppdelaney
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
Thanks for these thoughts. They arrived in just right timing for this week. It’s something i pondered about, too, in the last days. Reading the lines also made me think of an advice of a friend: “Do the thing you don’t like to do first – otherwise you might be motivated to take longer with the things you enjoy at work, to avoid arriving at the things you don’t enjoy that much.” Now, to keep all this advice in mind throughout the week.
This is so true. People often say to me; how do you have time for that? Which makes me wonder- what do they do with all their time because I don’t feel like I work overly hard, just smart.
Bettina@@ http://lovelylittleone.blogspot.com
I realized that I was using my time, while working at the time, consumed with work. Now that I’m not working and could actually do a ‘cartwheel’ I’m realizing all of the fun things that I’m now doing and not feeling guilty about and not being productive. I am being productive becasuse I’m doing things for myself and whether it’s webhopping, writing, reading, going for long walks, horsing around, I’m having fun.
I’m having so much fun now that I’m not willing to entertain a job that takes up too much of my time and am not willing to work the crazy eleven or twelve hour days I was in the past (which was madness). I’m even debating whether I want to continue in the IT field. I’m still working on working for myself and taking it one day at a time, but with LOTS and LOTS of fun!!
Great post, Lori!
I was recently meditating on a similar topic- simplifying my digital life and was inspired to write about it. As I considered the idea of simplifying and decluttering my digital life, I realized how much time and energy is truly spent on activities that really aren’t important, meaningful or valuable to me. For this reason I love your final question, how can I start using the time I’ve created in a way that excites and inspires me? I choose to live an exciting and inspiring life every day, and therefore I must ask myself such questions on a regular basis.
I, too, agree with John Lennon’s belief that time enjoyed is not wasted, and yet I can think of plenty of times I did waste time on random activities that don’t really enrich my life but perhaps only provide a small temporary amusement.
I have also experienced how work expands to the time available. For nearly 6 years I worked for a company whose full-time workweek was 35 hours. Every one of us managed to get our work done in 35 hours per week, with the rare requirement to work up to 40 hours in the week. This experience truly made me believe that I can get as much done in less time if I am motivated to do so! And I was very motivated to have those “extra” 5 hours a week for myself!
Thank you for the inspiration today! Have a grateful day!
Chrysta
I loved this post! However, I would also say that sometimes the anticipation of doing something (searching on the web for things to do) can be as much fun as doing the thing itself.
Amen! I just broke through and took a week off from some intense writing I’m doing. I worked in the garden, had lunch with a friend, stared into space, read a good book and just enjoyed being disconnected to my work for a while. This week I happily take up the pen again and look forward to getting back to work on my story. I will take time outs regularly from now on.
Good post. A lot of people use busy as an excuse though, myself included. I saw this with someone and it was easy to see she was using it as a wall. I’ve had periods where I really did have things to do all day/night (regular job, volunteer work, music job) and I would still have time for people depending on what I wanted. It happens now even. I’m immersed in stuff, but I would make time if I really wanted to do something.
I have really been struggling with this for the past year. My new job does not allow me flexibility unfortunately, and I would think that most employers would think if you have extra time (from being efficient) then they will assign you more tasks. It is really sad that we have to work so much and have so little time to enjoy being. Still….really struggling with this! Any advice will be really great! Thanks
Your statement “If there’s one thing that’s consumed my time the most, it’s researching how I actually want to spend it.” rings so true for me as probably for many people. It is so easy to research ourselves into a state of either unproductive or unenjoyable moments that take up way too much time than necessary. Less reading, thinking and/or planning and more doing ….or “being,” as you put it, is the key here.
That’s great advice from your friend. If you do it first, there’s no procrastinating!
I like the idea that doing things for ourselves is also productive. I think it is too! And I’m with you: I would far rather have time to myself than create a life that requires me to work myself to the bone. I don’t care how much money I might earn–time off is worth far more!
You’re most welcome Chrysta! I remember when I worked in office environments I spent an awful lot of time not working. I’ve never had it in me to spend long stretches of time in front of a computer in an office environment. If I had been allowed, I could easily have gotten my work done in less time–and I would gladly have taken a pay cut for the time off!
Absolutely! I was referring more to researching things I plan to do “someday” without actually committing to doing them. I have a tendency to do that!
That sounds wonderful. I was thinking yesterday about the fact that I rarely have a full day off. I start my off days by checking emails, sharing posts on social media sites, and responding to blog comments, because my off days are Mondays and Tuesdays (today for example; I do this because these are my boyfriend’s days off). I’ve decided recently to shift my schedule around so I can have one completely off day on the weekend, and I’m really looking forward to the full break!
That’s a good point James. Someone told me recently that when someone says they don’t have time to spend time with someone else, what they mean is, “It’s not important enough to me to make time to spend with you.” I think there’s something insightful in there, because we generally make time for priorities.
You’re right–that’s tough. Does your job allow you work/life balance, or are you working extended hours?
That’s the best way to work! =)
Yes, absolutely! I always have to remind myself to stop learning about something and get out and do it. Time flies really quickly when you’re biding your time.
Thank you for this post, Lori. It really resonates with me. I’m working toward eliminating the things I do that are really about avoiding the tasks I’d rather put off. For me, it’s checking email and random internet surfing. This is a great reminder to make room for fun as well:).
We have that in common! I’m trying to catch myself more often when I’m getting “caught” in the web. There are so many other things I’d rather do…I just need to remember that!
Exactly
tTo able yourself to be engaged to life is so rewarding. It keeps you happier and heathier also stronger- when you come up againsed things you instantally and instinctivly know what to do!
Wow, I just saw this post 2 years later after reviewing my disquis profile! What a change I have made since!!!! I was working extended hours (on salary) and was so miserable. Since then I’ve quit that lousy job and started a new career!!! I’m a new me. It’s amazing what that change has done for me. I just wanted to give an update! 🙂
That’s wonderful. Congrats! =)
Thanks! 🙂 LOVE TINY BUDDHA!!! It inspires me on a regular basis thank you!
You’re most welcome. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the site!