As I tried to wean myself away from my computer this past July 4th weekend, I thought about how little I’ve done away from the office in my first 18 months of being a business owner. It’s tough – consistant growth and constant change are two things that make it difficult to get away. Don’t get me wrong, I love every minute of it – but I need to start factoring in some ‘me’ time or I’ll drive myself crazy in no time at all.
Here is a list of some of the things I like to do when I’m ‘unplugged’ that I need to spend more time on.
Photography
This is one of my first loves. I loved toting a camera around as a little guy, snapping eclectic photos of my cat or a flower. I bought my first big boy camera in 2007. Shortly after, I began selling pictures on Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, Dreamstime, and several other smaller stock agency sites. The royalties I earned through these sites bought me a few heavy duty lenses.
Now, my handy dandy Canon backpack and 5 lenses go mostly unused. I did pull the camera out the other day to take our 3rd anniversary picture in our backyard. But before that, I can’t remember the last time I had my camera out.
Golf
When I turned 11, my grandpa Larry began to take me out to Greene Country Club to learn how to play golf. He was a fantastic teacher and I became a better than average golfer headed into high school. As a freshman, I made the varsity team with 3 very good seniors. My family built Udders & Putters driving range in 1994 – and I spent a lot of time out there practicing. I wish I would have continued working on my game like I did – but like most things I did when I was younger – I lost interest.
I still play golf occasionally, and miraculously, am still somewhat good. But with the lack of time I’ve had lately – I haven’t been out in a long time. My clubs sit in the garage. I see them every time I pull in from a meeting. I get calls from friends and family members to go play – but I just can’t get away for 5 hours in an afternoon to play. It’s really sad. (To me at least).
I signed my wife and I up and a couple of friends up for a charity scramble for one of my clients in August. I’m not looking to win, just to have fun – so we’ll see how that goes.
Reading
When I was in kindergarten, apparently, I loved to read. I would read the newspaper to my aunt Deb, books to my mom and read anything with my grandma. I enjoyed reading all the way until high school. When I was forced to read. Something I don’t really like is to be forced to do anything. I rebelled a bit, got over my rebellious ways after college – but I still missed my love for reading.
I’ve gotten back into it a bit since I bought my iPad. It’s easier to hear about a good book and have it within about 5 minutes time. I’m reading 3 or 4 different books. Some of them work related, but most are just interesting books I’ve heard about. I do try and spend some time every week sitting out on my patio and get some quality reading time in. (Which often turns into quality napping time)
Coaching Soccer
I can’t call this a hobby, considering I do get paid as a high school soccer coach. But considering what I get paid (not a lot) compared to the hours I put in (a lot) – it’s more of a love than a job.
This will be my 9th season of coaching. 6 years coaching kids from ages 5-11 and my 3rd at the high school level. I’m lucky to be with a great program in Olentangy Liberty that reinforces the growth of the boys in life as well as growth in the game. I enjoy working with the boys and plan to do it for as long as my schedule allows. This will be my second fall as a soccer coach/business owner so it will be a juggling act to make the schedules work.
What type of things do you do on your off time? Are you like me – with a laundry list of things you’d want to do but not enough time?