The LEISURE section of the Pie of life includes these activities:

• Spending time with family and friends
• Pursuing hobbies and special interests
• Enjoying forms of recreation
• Having personal time for goals, relaxation, and quiet time.

Planning Leisure Time

1. Use a time management schedule. Block off times that are designated for leisure time. Give your leisure time priority. Make room for it on the weekly schedule.

2. Let your family and friends know when you have leisure or social time available. Schedule social times according to the plans you made for social timeon your weekly schedule.

3. Social and leisure times are important for good mental and physical health. Use the time wisely that you set aside for leisure. Clearly identify how you wish to spend the time so it doesn't vanish and become wasted time.

4. Try to schedule social time that you spend with family or friends every week. Also, try to schedule leisure time that is specifically for you to have by yourself to work on goals, hobbies, or personal quiet time.

5. Schedule some time each week for recreation and exercise. You'll feel better and be healthier!


Using the Increase-Decrease Method

If you are feeling that you have too little time for the LEISURE section of your Pie of Life, the Increase-Decrease Method can be used to rebalance your pie. Following are some suggestions for shifting the boundary lines that are shared with SCHOOL and WORK.

1. Priortize your activities to be done during leisure time. Reduce the time spent on leisure activities that are not your top priorities.

2. Explore the possibility of reducing work hours or changing work hours to a different time of day or different days so you have some hours avialable during the day or early evening for social and leisure activities.

3. Reduce the amount of time spent on household chores and errands. Find ways to do chores more efficiently so more time will be available for leisure activities.

4. Use small blocks of time during the day more efficiently . If less time during the day is wasted, more time will be available later in the day.

5. Consider the need to enroll in school as a part-time student so you have less academic demands on you.

6. Find more hours on your calendar for leisure time by reducing the study time. This can often be accomplished by learning to use study methods that are effective and save time.

Click on each section of the Pie of Life for more information.