Congratulations! This Year You Get 104 Days Off.

Every year, we like to start fresh. We make plans, resolutions, and promises that this year we will be better, do better, and finally live a fulfilled life. Every year, we get distracted. We invest all our time into our jobs and we lose focus of the bigger picture. We make excuses that there is not enough time to go for that bike ride, not enough time to take the kids camping, and not enough time to perfect your golf swing. I’m here to tell you that there is enough time, but it’s up to you to spend it wisely.

The average person working a full-time job tends to get two days off each week. It’s easy to think that two days off is simply not enough time. But take a second to look at the bigger picture: two days off each week adds up to 104 days off each year. That means 104 days to go for that bike ride, 104 days to take the kids camping, and 104 days to perfect your golf swing.

Here are some things I do to make the most of my time, even if it does seem sparse: 

Take Time for Your Hobbies

Step away from your desk and spend time doing the things that make your heart happy and consequently watch your performance level at work increase. Release your endorphins by enjoying the hobbies you left behind when there simply “wasn’t enough time.”

Take Time for Your Family

If you spend hours hustling at work, it’s most likely to provide for yourself and your family. Let that hard work pay off by dedicating time to them. Take them to the beach, have a family BBQ, let the competitive side come out with a board game and watch their smiles grow.

Take Time for Your Health and Fitness

Take care of the body that keeps you going. Exercise is proven to increase productivity levels. Feeling better will lead to achieving better. Take an hour or so to do some yoga, go for a run, or lift some weights at the gym. A little investment can go a long way.

Time is a luxury, and one I believe we should not take for granted. The evidence states that the time is there, but it’s how you take advantage of that time that will determine if this year is the year you live a fulfilled life. As we launch into 2018, start planning the exciting things you’re going to do with your 104 days off.