What’s the most difficult when you’re trying to entertain a hobby such as language learning ? Finding time. Sometimes, you’re so busy during the day with your work or school schedule that you come back home, tired, and you just want to binge watch your favorite Netflix tv show.
Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, working on a passion project, or simply maintaining a healthy work-life balance, finding time for side activities can be challenging. Finding time for this requires mastering productivity. I’ve personally actually struggled with that a lot. So let’s dive into potential tips and solutions!
Tips to find balance
Prioritize Your Side Activities
The first step to mastering productivity in your side activities is to prioritize them. Give them a proper seat on your “to-do list”. Start by identifying what’s most important to you and allocate time accordingly. For me, it’s language learning and reading. So I set these two as tasks for the day. It doesn’t have to be long, and it doesn’t have to feel like homework either. When you don’t want to do it, you can try to make it funnier by doing it in a way you haven’t before. For my part, I sometimes listen to a podcast in my target language instead of studying through a textbook.
Time Management Skills
Time management is a skill that’s needed for productivity. A technique called “time blocking” is very effective in scheduling specific slots for your side activities. For instance, if you’re passionate about fitness, carve out time in the morning or evening for a workout, and stick to it consistently. For my part, I blocked time in the morning for vocabulary learning. I open my flashcard app on my phone and do that for 10 minutes a day. In the long run, it really helps.
Set Realistic Goals
Personal experience has taught me that setting realistic goals is key. I used to set unrealistic goals because I was comparing myself to others. For example, I had set a goal of fluency in one year but I couldn’t allocate that much time to language learning. Please don’t do that.
If you’re managing a full day of school or work, don’t overburden yourself with overly ambitious goals at once. Break your bigger goals into smaller, achievable tasks to prevent burnout. For me, dedicating thirty minutes a day to my language learning journey is way more sustainable than trying to study for a very long session once a week, intending to finish a whole unit of my book at once. (obviously) It made me feel overwhelmed and not productive, paradoxically.
Eliminate Distractions
We all know how tempting those notifications can be. Instagram, Tiktok, the call of your smartphone is REAL. BUT ! To stay productive, it’s crucial to eliminate distractions, at least for a little while. Consider turning off non-essential notifications during your side activity hours. Personally, I put my phone in another room. If I don’t, I keep checking Tiktok. (sigh)
Self-Care and Rest
Staying productive doesn’t mean sacrificing self-care and rest. I’ve sacrificed mine a couple of times, trying to do much more than what I could handle, and it has shown me that a well-rested mind is more efficient. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and set aside time for relaxation. Remember that whatever your goal is, it’s not running away. Appreciate the journey. For example, if you want to learn to play piano, appreciate the level you are at right now, and the mistakes you make. You will get better with time and consistency. Don’t rush and trust the process!
Learn to Say ‘No’
Setting boundaries is extremely important. I understand that it’s not always easy to say no, but it’s important. Having time for yourself is necessary, and not being able to say “no” will leave you with very little time for your favorite activities. Politely saying ‘no’ when necessary helps you maintain your mental health, and your happiness and will allow you to improve your productivity as well. Actually, saying no is useful in many, many ways. Please learn to say no.
Evaluate and Adapt
Your productivity strategy may need adjustments over time. Reflect on your progress regularly, and don’t hesitate to change your approach. Flexibility is key to sustainable productivity!
Balance is the most important
Balancing side activities with a full day of school or work isn’t easy, but it’s entirely possible with the right strategies. By prioritizing your side activities, mastering time management, setting realistic goals, eliminating distractions, and practicing self-care, you’ll be well on your way to a productive and fulfilling life. Remember, it’s all about finding a balance that works for you and adapting as you go along. Your journey to productivity is personal, and the most important thing is that you stay committed to your passions and personal growth. Happy balancing!
