Each of us has our own understanding of free time: it is a period of rest from work or a period of self-development. If what makes a person successful is the ability to do what he likes, despite difficulties and obstacles, then he uses his free time as a resource for new achievements.
In psychology there are 3 different understandings of free time:
- firstly, this is time that is not filled with activities, that is, “idleness”; it can bring pleasure, but in large quantities it negatively affects the character and behavior of a person, since it does not carry value;
- secondly, this is the time when a person can choose for himself what to do, without imposing an opinion from the outside. This choice is influenced by his internal state and external capabilities;
- thirdly, this is the time that a person spends usefully for himself or others, to achieve his plans. Such time should not be in excess, otherwise it loses its value.
In a broad sense, free time is considered the wealth of society, as it is intended for elevated human activity and includes elements of mental, social, physical activity, recreation and entertainment. All 3 approaches can be present in one way or another in a person’s life, because sometimes it is necessary to simply sit back.
Five activities to help you effectively use your free time
1. Development of the mind
One of the key aspects of successful people is constant learning and self-improvement. Reading books on self-help, business, psychology, or other useful topics helps them expand their horizons, improve their skills, and find new ideas. When Elon Musk was asked how he learned to build rockets, he replied: “I read books.”
2. Body workout
Most successful people are fond of sports and healthy eating because they know very well that over time their performance will decline. The principle works here: the more you take care of yourself, the more energy and strength you receive and, accordingly, the more tasks you can complete.
Exercising not only helps you stay healthy and energized, it also helps you be more productive and focused. Bill Gates combines mental and physical activity: every day he spends 1 hour on a treadmill, while watching video courses on topics that interest him.
3. Creativity
This type of activity may include participation in art projects, music, crafts, writing, and more. Devoting time to creativity allows you to express your emotions, develop your abilities and find inspiration. One of the most famous and successful investors Warren Buffett likes to play the ukulele when he wants to relax.
4. Travel
Traveling is a pleasant pastime and an opportunity to expand your vision of the world and get acquainted with new cultures and ideas. They promote the development of creativity, allow you not to burn out from a large number of tasks, teach you to accept new things – all this is very important for achieving success in any field. Even Leonardo da Vinci wrote: “Knowledge of the countries of the world is the decoration and food of human minds.”
5. Strengthening relationships
Time spent with family and friends is always a priority for a successful person, no matter what his goals are. Such people value support and communication with those who are significant to them, and therefore pay special attention to them. The famous actress Meryl Streep refuses roles where filming requires a long separation from her family and children, since this is the highest of her life values.
The free time of successful people is aimed at self-improvement, development and achieving goals. Any type of leisure that they choose solves one of their many problems, but the main goal is to achieve harmony in all areas of life.
