Summary

The article encourages readers to explore and take seriously the activities they enjoy on their days off, suggesting that these can be turned into fulfilling careers.

Abstract

The author of the article emphasizes the importance of focusing on activities that bring relaxation and joy during days off, as these can indicate a potential career path that aligns with one's passions. The piece argues that by dedicating time to these activities and developing related skills, individuals can find meaning beyond their current jobs, where a significant majority of people report feeling unhappy. The author shares personal experiences of transitioning from a routine job to pursuing cooking and writing, which were initially weekend hobbies. The article encourages readers to be aware of what brings them happiness and consider how these activities could be transformed into a source of income and fulfillment. It suggests that through gradual steps and consistent practice, one can discover and cultivate a passion that could lead to a more satisfying livelihood.

Opinions

The author believes that what one focuses on in their leisure time can expand into a meaningful career.
There is a strong opinion that many people are disengaged and unhappy in their current jobs, highlighting the need for change.
The article suggests that instant pleasures like eating junk food or browsing social media should be set aside for more fulfilling activities.
The author advocates for the idea that taking activities you enjoy seriously can lead to the development of new skills and potentially a new source of income.
The piece encourages a mindset of continuous learning and self-awareness to identify what one truly enjoys and is passionate about.
It is implied that trying new things and even discovering what one does not like is crucial in the process of finding one's passion.
The author emphasizes that focusing on what makes you happy can lead to personal growth and the possibility of making a living from your passions.

Self

What Are You Doing When You Are Not Working

You’ll be surprised what you find out

What you focus on expands. This is my truth; it can be yours; you never know until you try. Think about it. This can be relative according to your schedule.

If you have a regular schedule from Monday until Friday job, it can be perfect for you. If you think about your day off without the pressure of anything. What do you do to relax?

And forget about instant pleasures like eating or drink or going shopping? What I refer to is an activity that you enjoy doing without overthinking. Think deep.

I used to work for years on a regular schedule from 8 am until 5 pm Monday to Friday, and I realize on Saturday morning I wanted to start my day writing and cooking. And I never think that I can dedicate more time to doing that. I just felt relaxed.

How to Live a Meaningful Life

And overcome instant gratification

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I remember once I read a book about whatever you do on your days off and relax, it can be what you can do all your life and make a living doing it. Does it sound amazing?

Let me explain to you why. Let’s go deeper.

You don’t need to think hard

“Why choose to be right instead of happy when there is no way to be right. “ — Hugh Prather

Everyone is waiting for days off. It sounds funny, but it isn’t good. It means that everyone hates the real job.

Studies have uncovered that out of the world’s one billion full-time workers, only 15% of people are engaged at work. That means that an astronomical 85% of people are unhappy in their jobs.

When you wake up after your tedious week working, you feel free thinking that you have one day or two days on the road to enjoy and do whatever you want to do.

As I said above it is important to put aside your instant pleasure and focus on real activities that make you feel better and worthy. And doing so you can share or give value to other people.

So discard the instant pleasures like:

Eating junk food
Drinking at your close bar
Sleeping all day long
Talking by phone about all this crisis again and again.
Scrolling your social media to get envy watching the fake life of others.

Your unconscious mind will guide you to do things that you enjoy doing.

Why aren’t you taking those activities seriously?

I got it; we have bills to pay. But think in this way, take those activities more seriously, don’t laugh seriously. And start to spend a bit more time on it. If you begin to focus more on it, you will find a way to make some money out of it.

It is not going to be a significant amount from the beginning but you will start developing a new skill. In the long term, you can make a living from it only if you dedicate time.

I am not suggesting to quit your job, but what I suggest is in your days off, dedicate more time on something you enjoy, and start developing a new skill.

Time flies, you close your eyes and open again, and a year passed. Can you think about how many things you can learn in a year practicing? Give it a try.

Be aware and find something to share

“The Path is much like the experience of climbing a mountain. The climb is tough. But each time you stop to look around, the view becomes more spectacular.” ― Susan Jeffers

If you think deep, you will see that they are so many things that you can do and enjoy doing it. Whatever makes you feel happy and worthy would be perfect.

You can go to the mountain to hiking. I am sure you enjoy it, but in your mind, the idea you can do that for a living was never in consideration.

A big step to start would be to spend more time searching what the demands of people who love hiking are.

The Best Advice That Really Matters: Just Do It

Fear is never gone as you continue growing

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Doing small steps like maybe start to take information about jobs close to the mountain or just to read more about it will be a huge step.

I never thought I could work as a chef or writing. I was programming for six years. My job was from Monday to Friday, which is why, for me, it was clear. After wake up, I started to journaling. I noticed it was relaxing and helpful. And I used to cook Saturday morning, and I was excited about it.

It’s a coincide that I end up cooking and writing. I don’t think so. When I was writing, it was incredibly helpful for me.

I saw all my thoughts through writing. It helps me to clarify my mind and be focus on things that really matter. After that, I started to take serious about writing and improve day by day with practice and repetition.

I’m sure you got the idea.

Just be aware of what do you do when you are not at work. Activities you enjoy. And think about why you are not taking those activities a bit seriously. It happened to me.

Final Thoughts

Passion is a result of something that you have tried, and you find out that you enjoy it. But if you never try things, you will never know.

Don’t quit looking when you are looking for something you are passionate about — finding out what you do not like has the same value as finding out what you do like. This is a process, and it is easy to choose when you have tried things you do not like. You narrow the path to choose better.

Always try new things. Or just make a pause and think deep to analyze what do you enjoy. Maybe you are doing things you really enjoy, and you never thought you could make a living out of it. As the writer, Roy T. Bennett says,

“What you stay focused on will grow.”

Thank You For Reading!

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Godofredo Rojas is a writer, chef, and constant learner from Peru. He studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. He moved to New York in March 2011. You can find him on Facebook and Twiter.