What Would You Do With An Extra 36 Hours?

Time, like money, is sometimes a very scarce resource, but one that can add tremendous value to our daily lives. Edward Mills of Evolving Times has posed a very interesting question to the readers of his website regarding time – “What would you do if you had an extra 36 hours each week?”

Lorraine Cohen of Powerfull Living provided a very thoughtful response to Edward’s question on her blog then contacted me asking the same question too. This question is indeed challenging because my first reaction was to think about all of the things I wanted to do.

Then I had to step back and consider others and their needs. So, what follows is a very honest and unfiltered response:

Sleep. Even though I enjoy writing and building readership of The Next 45 Years, I do so either very early in the morning or late at night because of the demands of my full-time job. I would add an extra one hour of sleep per day.

36 – 7 hours of sleep = 29 hours to go

Read. It’s been a really long time since I’ve read, for pleasure, a really good novel. An extra five hours per week would help me get back into this routine.

29 – 5 hours of “guilty pleasure” reading = 24 hours to go

Initiate more telephone conversations with my family. During the work day, I am on the telephone a lot – usually solving a problem so when I get home, the last thing I want to do is get on the phone and talk. However, my brother lives in California, my parents in North Carolina, and my two older children are at college. Having three more hours per week to devote to this would be fulfilling.

24 – 3 hours to call my family = 21 hours to go

Attend writing classes or writing workshops. The local community college provides many of these opportunities. I would love to socialize more with other writers and improve my skills.

21 – 6 hours to attend writers’ workshops = 15 hours to go

Watch a baseball or football game while doing absolutely nothing else. Typically, when I tune into a game on television, I’m multitasking. Whether it’s cleaning up the kitchen after dinner or writing a post, I sometimes miss the opportunity to just sit and “veg” in front of the television.

15 hours – 5 hours of television “vegging” = 10 hours to go

Get involved. There are many organizations, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, I would like to get involve with. Life has given me so much, I would like to give back more.

10 hours – 3 hours to get involve and give back = 7 hours to go

One hour per day for seven days to reflect and recharge. How amazing would it be to devote one hour a day to consider where I’m in my life and where I want to go. This hour could be spent with my wife and children asking them the same thing and checking in with them to make sure I’m giving them what they want as a husband and father. Sometimes it’s easy to assume you are on the right track, but it never hurts to ask yourself and others to be sure.

So, how would you spend an extra 36 hours per week? I would love to hear from you. Please email me your answer at calexblackwell@aol.com and I’ll publish your answer on The Next 45 Years. I’m certain your responses will inspire others, and yourself to begin the process of how to find that extra 36 hours right now – I know I will.

Next: Personal Development & Happiness Carnival

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