"Idle Time" Vs. "Me Time": What's The Difference?

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do the stuff you really enjoy?

As a guitar player, I totally get it. Between work and everything else on my plate, finding time to play guitar, relax, and enjoy life can be challenging!

That’s why knowing how to turn "idle time" into "me time" can be a real game changer. Once you figure it out, you’ll see what a difference it can make in your lifestyle!

Next month, I'll have a lot more "me time" as I fully retire from my practice of medicine and, with that, also from online marketing. Yup, I'll be firing up the fun and living my best life, but I'll really miss all of you awesome WA community members!

For those of you who may feel a bit overwhelmed with all your work responsibilities, I want to share my method for adding the most enjoyment to each day while still remaining adequately productive. It might sound somewhat quirky, but it works!

What Is Idle Time?

"Idle time" is those moments when you’re stuck waiting. Maybe you’re standing in a long line, sitting in a waiting room, or riding the bus or train. You’re not really doing anything important, but that doesn’t mean the time has to go to waste.

A lot of us just scroll through social media or stare out the window during idle time. But with the right tools and a little planning, you can use that time to get stuff done!

What Is Me Time?

"Me time" (or "we time" if you’re with family or friends) is the time you spend doing things you really enjoy. It’s the fun stuff – playing guitar, hanging out with friends, or watching a good movie. The cool thing is, the better you use your idle time, the more me time you’ll have later.

Think of idle time as the moments you can use to clear your to-do list. Me time is the reward for making good use of it. Lol 😎

Remember to keep your me time separate from work time, whenever possible! You earned it!, and life is short, so don't work it all away!

How To Turn Idle Time Into Me Time

Here’s the secret: You don’t need to wait until you’re at home to get things done. With a smartphone and some cool apps, you can start tackling your to-do list while you’re on the go.

Here’s how I make it happen:

Using Mobile Apps To Create Content

Here's an example that illustrates the process.

As a guitar player and content creator, I’m always thinking of ways to share ideas with others. One of my favorite ways to use idle time is by making Pinterest content on my iPhone with the OpenAI app.

When I’m waiting somewhere or riding as a passenger in my wife's car, I use a custom GPT in my OpenAI smartphone app to come up with five Pinterest pin images, titles, descriptions, and hashtags.

For example, I’ll open my "Guitar Art" custom GPT, which creates five images with imaginative backgrounds. Each pin features one of the following: an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, a guitar amplifier, a guitar paired with a guitar amp, and an effects stomp box.

For each pin, the GPT gives me an options selection list to choose from. For example - for the electric guitar pin I can choose a Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson Les Paul, a Paul Reed Smith guitar, etc. After I make my selection, the GPT generates everything I need for that pin.

I've generated five pins while my wife is in the bathroom at a restaurant. Lol 😂

When I get home, I tweak the content and post it to Pinterest. The more time I spend working outside my home, the more freedom it gives me to do the things I love!

Organizing Ideas With AI

AI isn’t just good for creating content. It’s also great for setting the stage for projects to come later. Here are some examples:

• Creating blog outlines. I type something simple into the OpenAI app, like "Write a blog outline about guitar practice tips," and I get a solid starting point.
• Brainstorming with AI to take a new idea to the next level. It’s like having a little assistant in my pocket while you're out and about!

Learning Something New

Idle time is also a great chance to learn. With my phone, I can:

• Learn something related to online marketing.
• Watch short guitar videos on YouTube.
• Listen to podcasts about my favorite bands.
• Write down ideas for guitar riffs in a notes app

These small steps add up and often lead to big breakthroughs when I’m back home with my laptop or guitar.

How To Get Started

Using idle time well isn’t just about having the right apps – it’s about having the right attitude. Here are some tips to make it work:

• Set Small Goals: Decide what you want to get done. Maybe it’s coming up with three blog ideas or learning a quick music tip.
• Stay Organized: Use mobile apps like Notion or Trello to keep track of tasks. This way, you know what to work on next and what you've done already.
• Use Every Minute: Even five minutes here and there can make a difference. Little wins can add up to big results!

So next time you’re stuck waiting, grab your phone and make it count. You’ll thank yourself later!

Tell Me What You Think!

Are you using your mobile phone to maximize the productivity of your idle time?

What method works best for you?

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~ 85% human-written content.