“Free time” is the time that is free from professional and family duties or responsibilities, such as work, social meetings, family gatherings, club events etc. If you were to describe how you spend your free time, what would you say? Please don’t read on and take the time now to actually write 10 words that come to your mind about your spare time.

Are you inspired by what you’ve just written? Does it make you feel alive? Are you proud of it? Does it do you good?

My clients often tell me that their biggest wish is to do nothing at all in their leisure time. They are so overworked and stressed out that they just want to rest and relax and to do nothing in particular. Do you also know this feeling? When I ask my clients to tell me in more detail how they understand “doing nothing” I hear things such as watching TV, staying at home, getting away from it all… Weeks can go by like this, and when they look back, they only remember the work and the responsibilities and they can hardly speak of real leisure time where they experienced something meaningful or inspiring.

Does this make one happy? Does this give the impression of a fulfilling live?

At the moment we are having a beautiful Indian summer and this great weather invites to go out and to do something different from what we do every day.Perhaps you’d rather stay at home – instead of watching TV or “doing nothing”, but why don’t you try inviting a couple of friends to play games one evening instead? You will appreciate the time better, you will feel lively, you will improve your relationships and recharge your batteries.

Last week I brought your attention to the fact that the remaining 100 days of this year are offering a good opportunity to reconsider your goals and to still change some things.  Include your leisure time as part of your change program for these 100 days! Think about the ways of creating memorable moments and turning your free time into quality time that makes you come alive!

Quotes

We must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.

Indira Gandhi

A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive. Having been alive, it won't be so hard in the end to lie down and rest.

Pearl Bailey

You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act.

Barbara Hall