Evolution Two – week seven
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hello Folks,
Ever since I started this blog/exercise program I have encountered that very common issue called Time. It is an old friend that comes and goes. Sometimes Time can seem very long and stretched out, and sometimes it can feel like there isn’t enough of it.
I think being busy, makes me really value my time in a way that I haven’t before. I have spent most of my life trying to find ways to have more free time, especially since I graduated college; because there is that other issue ~ survival.
One thing I have discovered along the way is that I tend to have more when I desire less. How does that work? Well, basically, if you don’t have cable TV or Car payments or House repairs, then you don’t need as much money to SURVIVE.
Which brings me to the question, what is survival? Survival in society has many definitions. Since I spent at least 5 years of my Time learning survival skills of the primitive people I can honestly say that we have it easy when it comes to that topic.
Survival at its very basic level is pretty simple, right? Food, Water, Shelter, and I want to add companionship. Even in the worst conditions of my life I have had those basic needs met. I have lived off of 500 dollars a month and lived pretty well.
So, how do I make more time for myself? Start to look at what I really need and want and realize that my desires are dictating my schedule. For example, if I have a lot of bills to pay, I have to work more to pay them off. That means whatever bills I am paying for are also taking up my time.
The less needs and wants I have, the more time I have. Alright, for some folks, the reality is that they have to work a lot to feed their family and do what they do. But there are definitely ways to save money and therefore time.
When you think about it, money is energy and using energy takes time. Making money takes energy, and therefore the way you spend money is also the way you spend Time.
Now, you are probably wondering what I am getting at? So am I? Seriously, I think that the best solution for creating more time, in part, comes down to changing desires and habits, and of course finding a balance. Look at energy in and energy out.
A good example is: Lets say you have a car, but live in the city, where you could walk to pretty much everything. If you got rid of the car you would not only save a lot of money on repairs, car payments, gas, insurance…etc., but also get more exercise. You add it up and see how many hours you work to pay for that car.
I didn’t own a car for over tens years and saved tons of money, and met a lot of people on the bus…ha. It can improve your social life, because you have to plan ahead to go on trips…etc. It also forces you to exercise more. So you are saving money and getting fit and increasing your social network all by one decision. And if every once in a while you need a car, it still won’t cost as much to rent or take a taxi as it would for the upkeep and expense of a car.
Maybe you are thinking that is not realistic. It may not be realistic, but there are ways to have a car and save money as well; buy a used car, carpool, limit your driving, be efficient with your errands…etc.
This is a long way of saying I am thinking about how to recover some of my time and realizing I need to start prioritizing what is necessary and what is extra. It is a good idea to look at what you think is the most valuable way to spend your time and make a list.
Here is my list:
-spending quality time with my partner
-exercise
-doing something creative
-spiritual practice
-movies/entertainment
-spending time with friends and pets
-helping others
-using the internet
-sleep
-down time
-outdoors
How do I stretch my time. I try not to do everything every day; spread it out during the week. I try to get up early on days I have to get up early anyway, and then sleep in on days I don’t. I sometimes do more than one thing at once, like walking to go grocery shopping (exercise + errand). I try to keep my needs simple. My most consistent desire revolves around getting the things I need to do my HOBBIIES….like books or tools.
I usually buy and sell things on craigslist or at the local thrift stores, which reduces how much I spend on the thing. When I am done I try to get rid of it, for the most part, sometimes I hang on for a while, in case my interest returns.
There are days that I feel like I have no time at all and days that feel very slow, but in the end my choices, my perceptions, and my actions are dictating my schedule. In order to find Time I think I have to look at myself.
Exercise: Interval (run 45 min.)
Hello Folks,
Ever since I started this blog/exercise program I have encountered that very common issue called Time. It is an old friend that comes and goes. Sometimes Time can seem very long and stretched out, and sometimes it can feel like there isn’t enough of it.
I think being busy, makes me really value my time in a way that I haven’t before. I have spent most of my life trying to find ways to have more free time, especially since I graduated college; because there is that other issue ~ survival.
One thing I have discovered along the way is that I tend to have more when I desire less. How does that work? Well, basically, if you don’t have cable TV or Car payments or House repairs, then you don’t need as much money to SURVIVE.
Which brings me to the question, what is survival? Survival in society has many definitions. Since I spent at least 5 years of my Time learning survival skills of the primitive people I can honestly say that we have it easy when it comes to that topic.
Survival at its very basic level is pretty simple, right? Food, Water, Shelter, and I want to add companionship. Even in the worst conditions of my life I have had those basic needs met. I have lived off of 500 dollars a month and lived pretty well.
So, how do I make more time for myself? Start to look at what I really need and want and realize that my desires are dictating my schedule. For example, if I have a lot of bills to pay, I have to work more to pay them off. That means whatever bills I am paying for are also taking up my time.
The less needs and wants I have, the more time I have. Alright, for some folks, the reality is that they have to work a lot to feed their family and do what they do. But there are definitely ways to save money and therefore time.
When you think about it, money is energy and using energy takes time. Making money takes energy, and therefore the way you spend money is also the way you spend Time.
Now, you are probably wondering what I am getting at? So am I? Seriously, I think that the best solution for creating more time, in part, comes down to changing desires and habits, and of course finding a balance. Look at energy in and energy out.
A good example is: Lets say you have a car, but live in the city, where you could walk to pretty much everything. If you got rid of the car you would not only save a lot of money on repairs, car payments, gas, insurance…etc., but also get more exercise. You add it up and see how many hours you work to pay for that car.
I didn’t own a car for over tens years and saved tons of money, and met a lot of people on the bus…ha. It can improve your social life, because you have to plan ahead to go on trips…etc. It also forces you to exercise more. So you are saving money and getting fit and increasing your social network all by one decision. And if every once in a while you need a car, it still won’t cost as much to rent or take a taxi as it would for the upkeep and expense of a car.
Maybe you are thinking that is not realistic. It may not be realistic, but there are ways to have a car and save money as well; buy a used car, carpool, limit your driving, be efficient with your errands…etc.
This is a long way of saying I am thinking about how to recover some of my time and realizing I need to start prioritizing what is necessary and what is extra. It is a good idea to look at what you think is the most valuable way to spend your time and make a list.
Here is my list:
-spending quality time with my partner
-exercise
-doing something creative
-spiritual practice
-movies/entertainment
-spending time with friends and pets
-helping others
-using the internet
-sleep
-down time
-outdoors
How do I stretch my time. I try not to do everything every day; spread it out during the week. I try to get up early on days I have to get up early anyway, and then sleep in on days I don’t. I sometimes do more than one thing at once, like walking to go grocery shopping (exercise + errand). I try to keep my needs simple. My most consistent desire revolves around getting the things I need to do my HOBBIIES….like books or tools.
I usually buy and sell things on craigslist or at the local thrift stores, which reduces how much I spend on the thing. When I am done I try to get rid of it, for the most part, sometimes I hang on for a while, in case my interest returns.
There are days that I feel like I have no time at all and days that feel very slow, but in the end my choices, my perceptions, and my actions are dictating my schedule. In order to find Time I think I have to look at myself.
Exercise: Interval (run 45 min.)
Menu: Protein and Veggies, Smoothies
Until next time…
Think, Believe, Act, Achieve
Dakota
Today’s Mantra: You are already complete and whole, and nothing external to yourself in the physical world can make you more complete. ~Dr. Dyer
Think, Believe, Act, Achieve
Dakota
Today’s Mantra: You are already complete and whole, and nothing external to yourself in the physical world can make you more complete. ~Dr. Dyer
