Finding The Time For Music

[Mandobart]

Originally Posted by 1neeto

I work 10-14 hours a day, and when I get home, I usually have other things to do so that leaves very little me-time. I try my best to give music at least an hour a day, but sometimes days go by and I don’t pick up my guitar.

I just finished a 14 year stint of rotating 12 hour shifts at my power plant. That ends up being about 17 hours from getting up to go to work and getting back home at the end of my shift. The good part was normally only working 3 or 4 days a week. Most of my playing was on my days off.

Since last July I'm only working straight dayshift, only 10 hours a day 4 days a week. Now I sleep in to 04:00 each morning and I play at least an hour each evening. In about a year and a half I'll be retiring.

[Banter Shack]

Originally Posted by reeve21

Kill your television.

Actually, you only need to wound it. Google says the average American spends 3.1 hours a day watching TV. Half of that time is quite a bit of practice for someone who also works and has family.

The deeper I have gotten into guitar the less my desire to sit in front of the television. I used to be a spectator sports addict, now it is only my favorite teams, and not every game. I never channel surf anymore.

I imagine those TV stats are similar in many countries. I do have a tendency to stick a film on in the evenings, albeit, I probably get through around an hour before turning off to read for half an hour before sleep. Aimlessly flicking through the TV channels is something that would drain me emotionally, though; haven't really watched TV for years.

[Banter Shack]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I think about things I used to spend (waste) time on - TV, surfing the web, low value projects, etc. I found I had no passion for these things, so I stopped doing them (and don't miss them).

I definitely waste a lot of time on the net.

[Banter Shack]

Originally Posted by J-Doug

Ask yourself: how do I want my spouse and kids to remember me? Sitting in front of the TV or making music?

This is beautiful. Couldn't agree more either.