How to do what you love when you have no time to do it

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If I had a penny every time I ask someone 'do you still do *that thing* you loved so much?' & they say 'I just don't have the time,' I would be rolling in it.

I know what it's like.

You have that job you kinda-don't-mind-kinda-hate, but spend the day dreaming of what it would be like to do what you really love for a living. You know, that one true passion of yours, the one you used to have before rent, bills & adulting happened. 

When you get home from work you're lethargic, feel uninspired & all you want to do is lay on the sofa to watch episodes of Come Dine With Me from 2012. The weekend involves drink & complaining about how you're not-where-you-thought-you-would-be-by-this-age to your unenthused friends.

That was me. After graduation I got one of those 9-5s & my creativity got sucked into it.  I had a vision of what I wanted to do with my life, but didn't think I had the means, or energy, to actually do it. I had lost my mojo.

After confessing my dreams to a colleague, I was recommended the free Outset business course. Now this course was amazing. It gave me the confidence, determination & kick up the arse to get off the sofa & shit done.

To find your mojo, you need to start. To start, you need to find time. Once you find your mojo, you will make time. Simple, no?

Here's how to find time to do that thing you really love...

1. Make a Schedule

Treat this passion of yours like work. I know - it's supposed to be fun, but if you want to get stuff done you have to be organised. Make that thing you love a priority & block out a time every day to do it, even if it's only a little bit..

2. Be picky with social events

You don't have to accept every invitation.

Explain your new venture to your friends & show how excited you are about it, they will totally understand. And if they don't, get new friends.

3. Look after your body

 It is a proven fact that the fitter you become, the more energy you have & the better you feel. Move your body, cut down on sugar, fuel your body with some nutritional food & you'll feel ready to conquer the world in no time.

4. Cut down on alcohol

This was a game changer for me. I would spend my weekends drinking, having what I thought to be a FABULOUS time, to wake up the next day feeling at death's door. There's no chance you're getting anything done with so many toxins in your system. Drink less & concentrate on what you really love. Your future self will thank you for it.

5. Decide when you are most productive

I focus better in the morning. By 2pm I am day-dreaming of what concoction I'm going to cook for dinner & scrolling through Instagram. Therefore, I make sure I am up early; after some breakfast I head straight for the desk.

6. Avoid TV

Choose what programmes really float your boat or provide some education & schedule these into your week. Don't get home after a long day to watch mindless programmes 'cause you can't be bothered to get up. Grab a cuppa, freshen up & get on with what your brain really thrives on.

7. Find an accountability partner

Find someone who is interested in what you're doing & make an effort to talk to them every week about it. That impending conversation will push you to get on with things & make sure you have something new to say.


Hopefully these lil tips will help you on your quest to spend you time doing what you really love. Good luck!


 
Helen Penny

About the Author

Helen Penny is a designer & pug owner based in South London.

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