How To Make Time For Other Interests
Without losing your mind.
@eBunite How do you find time for everything you do? You need to give me this secret.
— Gbemi Adekanmbi (@Gbemi_Lolade) August 9, 2016
@eBunite Chai. Epp me.🙈
— Gbemi Adekanmbi (@Gbemi_Lolade) August 9, 2016
@eBunite Your time management recipe.
— Gbemi Adekanmbi (@Gbemi_Lolade) August 9, 2016
So, that happened and in my usual fashion, I decided to address it with a post.
How do I manage my time? Again, I would like to issue a disclaimer. I’m a freelancer so I’m pretty much in control of my time and I cannot speak for 9–5ers although you might be able to find one or two things that cut across. I’m going to spare you all of that cliche preamble on time management and get right into it.
- It’s important to prioritize.
Yes, it’s as vital as they say. We all have 24 hours a day and it’s up to us how we decide to use it. As a freelancer, different jobs have their individual demands. For instance, I have a job that requires me to write content daily. Unfailingly. I also have a weekly column that has to be updated. Then I have another one that is less demanding and more flexible. The trick is to prioritize them accordingly. This saves a lot of headaches and disappointments. Also, you can work more efficiently. When all of that is done, then you can dedicate the extra time to your other interests.
- Identify your interests
I have Pinterest boards for all of my interests. The first time any subject piques my interest, I open a board and take time out to pin it accordingly. The pins usually include ideas and action plans. Whenever I decide to take up anyone, I just open the boards and the inspiration gushes out like a fountain.
- Prioritize your interests
Depending on what you like, there are some activities that are more time-consuming than others. If you have a 9–5, it is obviously not advisable to take up a full- time hobby. You could pick something that doesn’t require efforts of any kind. That way it doesn’t become a job but stays a hobby and gives you satisfaction in the long run.
- Pick one and break it down
The first time I learned how to make homemade skincare products myself, I broke it down into phases and took it one at a time. I started with the basic whipped shea butter. Then went on to ACV toner, body scrubs and eventually deodorants. When I mastered those basic recipes, I started to upgrade them so I started all over again. This time, I upgraded my basic whipped shea butter to a proper body butter and went on to the next one. Of course, there were trials and errors in between. I tried to make them in smaller quantities initially to avoid waste and all that. Eventually, I got it right although I still have to tweak it to suit the weather. The point is, making products is obviously time — consuming and demanding as a result of the trials and errors involved but it did not feel like it. Not for a single moment. Also, I enjoyed it. There’s some sort of fulfillment that comes with making things yourself.
These steps have worked for me and I hope it does for you too.
Originally published at ebunoluwole.com on September 2, 2016.
