MOST MONDAY

This week is it “F” for Freedom

As we close out summer we reflect on free time and how we use it. According to a new study released by the U.S. Department of Labor, Americans have more free time and less work time in 2013 than we did in 2003. Really? I was working more then? I have more free time NOW?

According to the study, we have 10 minutes more of sleep, 10 minutes more of TV watching or leisurely activities, 13 minutes less of work-related activity and 3 minutes less of exercise time or physical activities. This is astounding to me, I am certainly not sleeping more. Are you?
The increase in technology and smartphones has surely crept into more and more of the waking hours. I can’t debate the study, the details are found at (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.t01.htm). When you have some free time you should review the data, it is very interesting.

The BIG question this week is, “what are you doing with your free time?”
I truly believe that we are happiest when our time is spent connecting with others and engaged in activities that bring us joy and  helping others to grow, learn and better themselves. Many of us volunteer, help our family and give until we are exhausted. What about the free time that fills US up?  We can give to others best when we are centered, on point with our purpose and filled from the inside. What can you do this week to fill your free time with activities that fill YOU up?

Take an inventory of your day, your week, your time. Are you a statistic? Were you pulled into the latest reality TV episode? Or are you crafting your free time to express yourself, learn something new and feel filled up? Use the IDEAsheet this week to review your free time and plan to spend time with activities that will feel like FREE time and fill you up inside. After all, there is no such thing as FREE time, it all costs something, make it count!