Spare Time: Where (When?) Futures are Shaped

Would it be fair to say most people strive to excel in their occupations and routine obligations for the sake of success?

I’d wager that most people would agree with this premise. However, the next question may prompt greater pause and wonder.

Do we recognize that it's outside of work and routine obligations where we often impact our futures most profoundly?

As you and I make choices each day, we allocate the irretrievable commodity called time.

A cacophony of competing demands bid for our attention. Many of these demands stem from essential activities, so the notion that all of our waking hours are available for voluntary allocation is partly a mirage.

For example, the traditional workday is relatively regimented, determined by the typical functions of our respective occupations.

Furthermore, outside of work, a significant portion of our time is obligatory, devoted to essential commitments such as family, community functions, errands, maintenance, and exercise. This means that a commodity which is already conspicuously finite, is markedly more so when it comes to full personal discretion.

Why does this matter? Because full discretion means we experience the greatest freedom to direct our thoughts and activities as we elect, independent of obligations. This is our spare time, and how it's used significantly shapes our futures.

What I do today with my discretionary time will strongly influence where I'll be tomorrow, just as what I did yesterday with my discretionary time strongly influenced where I am today.

The wise use of discretionary time is where successful people get it right! (For this article's purpose, I define successful people as those who take initiative in bettering their lives and, by extension, the lives of those in their spheres of influence.)

Successful individuals generally use their spare time to move forward, nurturing talents that transform potential into reality. Others...they miss the boat.

Missing the boat takes infinite forms: applying Snapchat filters that vomit rainbows; following the Kardashians with rabid fanaticism; worshipping Netflix originals with cult-like devotion. None is a potent recipe for sharpening skills.

Let me submit three simple ways to wisely use spare time to shape our futures successfully:

1. Learn a new skill

As a personal example, I’m strengthening skills centered around instructional design and e-learning.

I’ve allocated spare time to become conversant with e-learning development programs such as Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate. With online course options like Lynda.com, Coursera, and Udemy, online learning has never been so accessible.

(I've also secured permission to create and share e-learning content with my Salt Lake offices.)

This is time well spent that will pay off well into the future.

1. Read (especially practical content)

I’ve committed to reading at least one new article per workday this year, drawing from sources like Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.

I adopted this practice after reading about the voracious reading habits of Bill Gates and other bright minds. The content is stimulating, expansive, and practical.

This is time well spent that will pay off well into the future.

1. Get involved: volunteer and/or join professional associations

Last summer, I tutored a niece in math. This was a great investment on many levels, including an opportunity to bond and add value to her scholastic life.

I also joined a friend at Toastmasters International events, which were highly educational and entertaining.

Getting and staying involved is a great way to cultivate meaningful relationships within your circle of influence and expand your network.

Yes, you guessed it. This is time well spent...that will pay off well into the future.

Bonus: Reflect and Recreate

Spend a moment each day reflecting, processing, and appreciating. Clarity and inspiration often arise during personal time.

It’s well known that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Leisure time has its rightful place. Some of my favorite leisure activities include running, hikes, artwork, logic puzzles, and movies. Reflect and recreate to refresh.

Consistently choose spare-time activities that will shape your future successfully through incremental improvements. I like to think of this as living life in crescendo. Your future self will thank you.