I usually have enough time to work toward my goals. What I run out of is energy.
A few years ago, I started paying attention to how different activities affected me. I now sort most of them into three categories.
Work
Work is anything that moves me toward a goal. It includes more than my job:
- working on a project
- cleaning or running errands
- exercising
- spending time with friends and family
All of these take energy, even when I enjoy them.
Active rest
Active rest gives energy back:
- taking a nap
- going for a walk
- lying in a hammock
- playing with my dogs
- having a good conversation with a friend
I usually feel better after doing these things.
Passive rest
Passive rest feels like a break, but it does not restore much energy. Sometimes it leaves me with less than I had before.
For me, this often includes:
- browsing social media or Reddit
- playing most video games
- watching television
The exact list will be different for everyone. The useful part is noticing the difference.
I think about energy like a mana bar. Work drains it. Rest fills it. Some forms of rest are simply much better at the job.