When you've got a side project or interest that you really want to dig into, it can feel like all the world conspires to steal your time. We've already recommended "grouting" your interests, but GOOD suggests some other wise time-making moves.
Image via kpwerker.
In their quarterly magazine, the thinkers at GOOD have dedicated a good chunk to work, side work, and actually enjoying work. A section on passion projects offers some smart advice on making real progress on non-day-job interests. Among the bits we found intriguing:
Remember that your side project isn't a hobby. So when you're working, work. Avoid checking email, IMing, Facebooking, and so forth during your carved-out work time. It will allow you to get more done in a short period of time, without distraction. (Same goes with your job-job, of course.)
Talk up your project. Chances are good that what you're working on will be more interesting to your friends than whatever happened at the office on Tuesday. So tell them. Traditional benchmarks-money, success, approval-often don't apply to personal projects, so the interest and encouragement of your nearest and dearest can help you stay on track.
Talking up your project could have the side effect of putting a little friendly social obligation on your project—if you have to meet the gang once a week for coffee, you'll want to have something to report in the way of progress.
Working Better: How to Take On a Passion Project When You Have a Job [GOOD]