If you had 36 extra hours in your life each week, how much of that time would you dedicate to your personal development plan?
The reason I ask is because I have been challenged by my friend Edward Mills over at Evolving Times, as well as my pal Karen Lynch at Live the Power to say what I would do with the 36 hours that I would gain from using the concepts contained in the book ‘The 4-Hour Workweek‘ by Tim Ferriss.
Well, my first answer involved a hammock, a string of drinks with little umbrellas in them, and some location that I needed a passport to get to… However, when I realized I would have these 4 extra work days every week, I amended my answer to include something more related to personal development than learning how to properly dismount from a hammock after you’ve had too many drinks with little umbrellas in them. The following is what I came up with!
1) I would sleep more.
I’ll advise anyone who asks me that they should get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, yet I myself only get 5 or 6. I have a weird combination of wanting to stay up late AND get up early. I would start off my 36-hour time expenditure by getting an extra hour of sleep each night. In fact, for the first day or two I would set my alarm for the same time that it goes off now just so I could have the pleasure of turning it off and going back to sleep!
2) I would meditate on a daily basis.
Right now, although I am fully equipped with everything that I need for productive meditation, due to the aforementioned 5 or 6 hours of sleep each night, mediation = clearing my mind in the middle of the day and then instantly falling asleep! With some extra time on my hands, I would do “by the book” meditating for 30 to 60 minutes each day.
3) I would practice martial arts.
I have gotten involved in Tae Kwon Do on 2 separate occasions, but both times I chose not to pursue it for various reasons. As I have traveled down the path of being both a personal trainer, as well as a personal development writer, I have come to fully believe in the innate and unbreakable connection between the body and the mind. After getting enough sleep, meditating for an hour, and then practicing martial arts for an hour or two every day, I would be both “zenned to the max,” as well as in very good physical condition!
4) I would spend more time practicing self improvement and personal development techniques.
I could burn through a solid hour each day actively visualizing, internalizing affirmations, and reading & studying my notes from more than 12 months of non-stop personal development and Law of Attraction teachings. I have notes about the notes that I wrote down about some notes that I wrote down before that! Yeah, I could fill an hour reacquainting myself with things that I already know, but that are no longer at the front of my mind as frequently as they should be.
5) I would play.
I saved this one for last because, in the end, isn’t this the goal – to have fun? I mean, I love what I do for a living, and I do it because I choose to. However, the ultimate goal is to spend more time doing things that have nothing to do with anything whatsoever. A short list of those activities would include; doing puzzles, putting together models, watching quality movies, reading fiction books, spending more time with friends & family, and even playing video games. I would do these things guilt free, and I would enjoy them for what they are – total down time.
So, there ya have it! I get asked the question “What would you do with an extra 36 hours each week?” and I can’t even answer that question without turning it into some sort of life lesson.
Sheesh. I think it might be time for me to unplug, go find that hammock, and call over the waiter!
Well Aaron you have been hard at work lately coding… I think you deserve a drink!
I seriously need to get hold of this Tim Ferriss book. In fact, that is one thing I would do with my extra 36 hours – start working through my ever expanding “to read” list.
Great one Aaron. I love the part about leaving the alarm set where it is just so you could have the pleasure of turning it off!
Thanks for playing!
Geez Aaron, it’s how interesting that I’m already behaving like #1… been setting my alarm to get up at a certain time only to sleep in a bit more longer… maybe it happens to people who loved what they’re doing?
Geez.
I have to say, that when I plan to get more sleep and have a lie in, it never feels as good as when I rebel and hit the alarm in the morning knowing I should get up, strange !
I too am a Personal Development trainer in Bradford West Yorkshire, and also teach Ju Jitsu, a self defence based martial art.
I have to say that because of my hectic schedule of different activities, which include a day job and Personal Safety courses, I don’t get anything like the sleep I should. It’s so easy to coach others to make time for themselves but I so don’t apply the principles to my life and I really should.
Great post Aaron, certainly makes me think a little more about what I would and should do!
That gave me a laugh, too, Aaron, where you set the alarm just for the pleasure of turning it off! Reviewing the notes about the notes on the notes hit a familiar chord as well.
And amen to enjoying some downtime guilt free!! 🙂
Peter,
I’m with you on the ever-expanding reading list! I think Amazon is starting to wonder why my Wish List is packed with books, but I never order any of them! 🙂
Ed,
Great meme – thanks for inviting me to play along!
I totally did the alarm clock thing just this morning. I don’t have those extra 36 hours yet, but I was, you know, practicing!
GSC,
I think the biggest hurdle with the alarm clock thing in the morning is that one of the things that most people love to do is SLEEP!
It’s not quite as productive as some other personal development tips, but I count the ability to curl up for a good snooze as one of the things in life that I am very grateful for. Every time that alarm clock goes off, I get to hit the snooze button and be grateful all over again! 😉
Robert,
Thank you so much for sharing the point of view of someone who is also living the chaotic life. Advice is easy to give, but hard to follow, right?
I’m sure that your martial arts training helps to keep your mind sharp, though, even if you aren’t making full marks on other habits such as getting enough sleep.
It’s all a balancing act in the end, and one that is a grand adventure as long as you don’t fall off without a net!
Jeannette,
Maybe you and I should compare notes sometime? I’m sure between the 2 of us we have figured out the secret to life, but it’s so lost in our paperwork that we are unable to submit it to the Universe in order to start collecting our patent royalties! {grin}
Each and Every week, yeah that would be awesome!
Great List!
Martial Arts and Tae Kwon Do? A spiritual component to your workout?…..hmmmm…..
Enjoy!
What can I say, Karen? It’s ALL in my head!! ;)~
I’m definitely with you on getting more sleep and playing more. I don’t know anyone who couldn’t benefit from a little more of both of those things.
It seems like I build up a small sleep deficit throughout the week so that by Friday night I just want to pass out. Those 30 or 45 minutes less each night that I should be getting really adds up!
Of course, having two kids affords me plenty of opportunities to play. I am very thankful for that!
Bob,
That’s awesome that you get so much playtime with your kids – they are seldom not willing to play and have a good time!
As far as the sleep deficit, it’s amazing what just a little bit more sleep can do for you. I know that personally being “on top of my game” by getting enough sleep more than makes up for the extra hour or so of sleep because of my increased productivity, focus, and clarity.
Your right on the money about being sleep deprived. I usually aim for 6-7 hours sleep but can get by on 4 – 6 for a few days but then I need to catch it up again or I get “nouncy”.
Good to hear you devote a lot of time to your family – after all , that’s the reason we do this – isn’t it?
I think one of the common themes among people who are driven to succeed is that they are quick to give up on things that do not cause an immediate problem. They don’t sleep enough, they often opt for quick meals that aren’t as nutritious as home-cooked food, and exercise is often kicked to the curb as well.
It’s a classic irony that exercising frequently, eating properly, and getting enough sleep are all factors of success, not failure!