This is part five of a series on How to Balance Your Time, where we’re looking at the six key types of time we all need in our lives:

• Creative and productive
• Physically energetic and active
• Playful and entertaining
• Learning and developing
• Reflective and spiritual
• Restful and relaxing

Today we’ll take a closer look at the fourth type of time:  learning and developing.

I’m so grateful that at some point in my life, someone encouraged me to never stop learning and growing.

For some, they thrive in the academic world, and enjoy pursuing “formal” education.  I once knew a man who had three master’s degrees and a doctorate, and was still going back for more!

But for most of us, we grow, learn and develop through informal ways – by reading books, attending seminars, reading blogs, etc.  You can read how to become an expert on any topic for some tips on free and low-cost ways to grow your knowledge base.

One of my personal goals is to reach my full potential in the seven basic areas of life.  In order to reach my full potential, I know I need to keep learning and developing.  Right now, a lot of my learning is coming from magazines, blogs and podcasts.  In fact, nearly every time I exercise at the Y, fly, drive, or work on a household project (like painting), I listen to podcasts.

There’s an important distinction that needs to be made between “learning” and “developing” that we sometimes miss.  In some cultures, to “learn” means to take in information.  And to “develop” is to apply the learned information and be changed by it.  In some cultures, to “learn” means information, application and transformation – I love that!

After all, if more information was all we needed, then all librarians would be millionaires!  But they’re not – because action is the key next step.

What are you doing, and how are you balancing your time, to keep up your own personal growth and development?

This is part four of a series on How to Balance Your Time, where we’re looking at the six key types of time we all need in our lives:

• Creative and productive
• Physically energetic and active
• Playful and entertaining
• Learning and developing
• Reflective and spiritual
• Restful and relaxing

Today we’ll take a closer look at the third type of time:  playful and entertaining.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  The point is that we all need some time to play, have fun, laugh and be entertained – otherwise we can become bored with life or get depressed.  These activities help to give our minds a bit of a rest – taking the focus off our work or worries.

Some of my favorite things to do for fun are:

• going to a concert, movie or sporting event
• watching TV at home
• reading a book just for fun and enjoyment, not necessarily to learn something
• sunbathing at the beach
• going for a walk, hike, bike ride or scenic drive
• going to a coffee shop or restaurant alone or with family or friends
• going shopping

This topic is similar to the last one because we sometimes think we need to limit this kind of “unproductive” time. But all of us need time to be “off”.  We all need some time that is just for us and not anyone else.

Interestingly, I’ve found that when I do it, my mind becomes clearer and I often get some great ideas or insights that probably wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t slowed down.  My challenge, then, is to not start working when I get those ideas.  I simply write them down (if I don’t, I’ll forget them) and come back to them later, during my “productive” time.

If you struggle with making time for yourself, block off some time on your calendar this week and pick something that you enjoy doing . . . and do it!  Or, maybe pick something you’ve always wanted to do.

I’m sure there are some people who spend too much time in this category.  But I’ve never been one of them.  Have you?  What do you enjoy doing just for fun?

This is part three of a series on How to Balance Your Time, where we’re looking at the six key types of time we all need in our lives:

• Creative and productive
• Physically energetic and active
• Playful and entertaining
• Learning and developing
• Reflective and spiritual
• Restful and relaxing

Today we’ll take a closer look at the second type of time:  physically energetic and active.

We all know that regular exercise is important if we’re to maintain good health.  And yet so few of us make it a priority.  That was true of me for much of my life.

My biggest problem:  I always thought that if I took time to exercise, I’d be taking away valuable time from my family, or productive time from my work.  I didn’t understand that exercise could help improve both my family life and work life – that it would re-energize, refresh and refocus me at work, and keep me in good health so I can be around a lot longer for my family.

In the last few years, I’ve discovered some strategies that have helped improve both my outlook on exercise, and my determination in making time for it:

I discovered that I didn’t have to set aside 30 or 40 minutes for exercise at one given time in a day.  I could spread it out throughout the day.  I’ve learned that doing two or three 10-15 minute work-outs can make a difference.  Whenever I start to feel sluggish at work, I take a brisk walk, do some push-ups or other simple Fat Loss Quickie exercises in my office, or run up and down some stairs a few times.  It doesn’t take me long to get my heart rate going, and I notice that my mind is more focused and creative as a result.

I learned that I can combine two or more goals for greater results.  My goals to exercise, spend more time with my family, and be super productive at work don’t have to be mutually exclusive goals.  Frequently, I combine the two by exercising or enjoying some physical activity with my wife and/or kids.  For example, my wife and I have begun working out 4-5 times a week using the Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred DVD (Jillian is one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser).  And I frequently play basketball, ride bikes, or go swimming with my kids.  We have fun, enjoy some time being together, and get some good exercise all at the same time.

Today, exercise is becoming more and more a natural part of my life.  But it wasn’t always that way.  I had to be more intentional before it could become more natural.

Has anyone else struggled with making time for exercise and physical activity?  Or am I the only one?