There's Work and There's Art: Making Time for What Matters

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say, "I can't wait to retire so I can write/start my photography business/take up guitar again." With all that money I'd be able to retire. It's easy to fool ourselves about how easy it would be to blaze ahead with that great freelance idea or fun project if only we didn't have to work.

 However, while watching friends go through long periods of unemployment  I've noticed that even people without anything on the daily to-do list don't necessarily use all that free time to work on a long-held dream. I've found that for me, jobs pose problems when they involve a lot of overtime or are emotionally draining, but most often, the job isn't what's keeping me from writing.

It isn't necessary to have huge blocks of free time in order to work on your own projects. Even the most ambitious project can be broken down into small chunks. Here are some ways to fit those small chunks into your work day:

• Use 10 minutes in the morning before leaving for work to do one small thing. For example, if you write, do a brainstorm for story ideas or draft one paragraph. 
• Depending on how you get to work, use your commute time. If you drive, take your MP3 and listen to an audiobook about your particular field. If you take the bus or Max and are lucky enough to get a seat, take your iPad along and work on something. If you walk or bike, use the time to sort out ideas.
• Try to figure out how your job can help your art. You might be in a position where you meet people who could become valuable contacts or mentors. If you're in retail, maybe you're eligible for deep discounts on supplies. I work in a library and find that having access to all kinds of information is invaluable. 
• Even if you like to relax or socialize during lunch break, try devoting 1-2 breaks per week to working on your project. 
• The evening before your day(s) off, work on your project for half an hour before indulging in a second glass of wine and tuning out in front of the TV.  Starting your weekend (whatever days it falls on) this way will give you a shot of creative energy that'll keep you going all weekend. 
• If you have a lot of vacation time available, take several days off just for writing or whatever you do. If you have kids, choose school days so that you'll have 6-7 hours of free time during the day. 

If you try 2-3 of these suggestions, you'll find that you gain several hours' worth of writing (or art or...) time every week.  And any gain gets you a little closer to your goal, whether it's publishing a novel, having your own exhibit or launching a business.

A Student Again: Changing One Thing Can Change Everything

The longer I explore the relationship between the work people do for a living and the work they do for love, the more I'm convinced that having a passion or practicing an art revitalizes every area of life. This seems to be true even when a life area such as the day job or a certain relationship is causing an unhealthy level of stress. I've noticed whenever I'm deeply involved in a group or project such as the class I'm currently taking, it's easier to handle stress all around. Why is this?

Maybe it's partly because having deep connections with people and activities outside work means that all your eggs aren't in one basket. Losing your job would create serious financial issues but you wouldn't lose all your friends or social support. I've noticed that friends who have serious off-hours pursuits don't tend to keep a death grip on the job or be thrown into a spin by small setbacks. In a sense, being involved in several non-work activities is like getting booster shots; you're more resistant to the effects of workaholism, office drama, or the fear that accompanies hard times and downsizing.

Perhaps it's also because mastering a skill in something you love gives you the confidence you need to tackle less pleasant or more difficult tasks at work. Sometimes just practicing the self-discipline necessary to reach a skill level where you can do the fun stuff (like playing dance tunes as opposed to scales and exercises!) gives you a greater tolerance for routine but necessary work.

As a student 30 years ago I worked in an electronics testing plant one summer. The assembly line work was repetitive and often boring. I dreamed of the day I'd graduate and become a hotshot reporter or publicist; I'd never have a dull moment as I chased the latest story or big account. To pass the time I chatted up some of my coworkers.

It turned out that one of them, a recently arrived refugee, had been a violin maker and repairman back in Poland. As I watched him I noticed that he didn't seem frustrated or bored even though factory work was well below his abilities. He tested batteries and assembled boards with the same focused attention that he would have used when polishing his instruments. Several years later I heard from a former coworker that this man had eventually opened his own stringed instrument repair shop. Maybe one reason for his success was the patience and attention to detail he'd practiced during his time at the electronics plant.

When you're immersed in hard times at work it can be tempting to pull back on pleasurable pursuits and focus only on keeping your head above water at work. However, if you resist the pressure to give up your passions, you'll be happier and healthier in the long run.