Like most people, I like to think about what I'd do if I won the lottery.
I don't mean what I would do with the money, though I do have some plans for that, too. What I really like to think about is how I would spend my time. I consider the things I'd learn and the places that I'd go, and just exactly how late in the morning I would sleep.
There are a few things I would put at the top of my list. I'd continue acting and running (though I probably wouldn't have to wait so long between marathons anymore), but this only takes care of my early morning and late evening, so I'd have to find ways to fill in the rest of my day. First and foremost, I'd find a great mechanic in the area and offer to work for them for free in exchange for learning how to work on cars. Knowledge of engine function is one of those topics that makes me feel constantly inadequate. So, let's say, Monday would be my garage day.
Tuesday, I'd do the same thing for a construction crew. I worked in construction for a summer in college, and it was great. I learned all sorts of amazing skills that I have long since forgotten, and would love to know again. We tend to watch a lot of home improvement shows, and there are many things I want to get done around our house, so I would spend Tuesdays relearning how to do them.
On Wednesday, I'd head over to my music teacher. We'd spend the morning on the piano, which I've never learned, but always tried. That would be followed by a short vocal lesson before lunch. Once we'd eaten, we'd grab the guitars for a couple hours before our "wild card" time at the end of each session, where my teacher would hand me some random instrument allowing me to say at parties, "Sure, I play saxophone."
Having learned all my skills for the week, I would set Thursday aside for city exploration. We'd visit museums and historical markers and local attractions. We would eat at restaurants whose names we couldn't pronounce and shop at stores that you can't find anywhere else.
Friday would become my "use your skills" day. I would work on restoring an old car, or start construction on the new master bath design. I'd play songs I love and write new ones and really consider buying that saxophone I saw on Craigslist.
Most important, of course, would be my weekends, because they wouldn't change much at all. I'd still go for my runs. I'd still spend time working with my dogs and watching television with my wife. I'd try to see my friends in their plays unless I was in one of my own, and I'd still clean up the yard every Sunday morning. I find that my free time is already filled with things I love to do, so why change that?
Not-so-hidden within this lovely list of luxury are all the skills and activities that I wish I had time and money to do. With a little better management of my time (and a little less snooze button), I could probably make time for most of this in my week already, but I'm not there yet. I've made it almost a whole month into this year exercising self-discipline in many areas of my life, but I've still got a long way to go. My January challenge is nearly complete, which means February can hold new and exciting possibilities.
I hope one of them is a lottery win.
Friday's Run:
6.75 Miles
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