Here’s a scary question for you. How much time do you spend each week sitting mindlessly in front of the TV, surfing the internet, playing video games and such? If you’re anything like the average American it’s a lot more than you’d like to admit or even think possible.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s fun to sit down and watch your favorite TV show or hang out and game. When it’s intentional and this is how you choose to spend your time, go for it and enjoy. It only becomes problematic when time flies by and before you know it is three hours later and you have no idea what just happened. That’s when TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets and the likes become time suckers.
Why is this a problem? Because time is the only truly limited resource we’re working with. If push comes to shove, you can find a way to get more of everything else, be it money, friends, or something easy like bread. But time, we can’t get back and we don’t get more of. There’s no way to earn a few extra hours. We all work with 24 of them per day. Since they are our most limited resource, we should make sure we use them wisely and intentionally.
Today’s challenge for you is to simply become more aware of what’s sucking up a lot of your time when it comes to this type of entertainment. Instead of mindlessly popping down on the couch after a day at work and drifting off until it’s time to go to bed, think about it before you do. Is this how you want to spend your time? If so, go ahead. If there’s something else you want to try, go for it. In other words start making conscious choices about your free time.
Maybe you decide to go for a walk first, or meet up with a friend for a couple of beers before heading to the living room. Maybe you decide to read a book or have a meaningful conversation with your spouse or children. Maybe you decide to dust off the old board games for some old-fashioned interactive family fun. Pick what makes the most sense to you. Find something purposeful to do with all those extra hours in your day.
You’ll be amazed at just how much free time you have once you stop wasting it away. Suddenly there is time for that new hobby you thought you couldn’t get around to. There’s time to work in exercise and still find time to watch your favorite movie. Being intentional and purposeful with your time, particularly during those times of the day when it would otherwise slip through your hands can have a profound on your life and your wellbeing.