Sunset from 11032 Thrush Ridge Rd

Well, since my last day at Capital One on April 28th, I now know the answer to that question (at least for me).

My schedule during the day has shifted. When working full-time during the week, I had to squeeze in workouts and run errands either before or after work and sometimes at lunch. I saved all the long bike rides for the weekends. Now, I typically wait until the start of the regular work day (i.e. 9AM) to begin my workouts, run errands, etc. I can do 100 mile bike rides during the week - it’s just like going to work except I sit on a bike saddle instead of in a cube. I do have the flexibility to do whatever workouts I need to do vs. whatever workouts I can fit into my schedule.

I manage to say suprisingly busy, but in a different way. Gone is the time crunch - e.g. “I have to start biking by 6:30AM to be finished by 8:30 AM in order to begin work at 9AM.” Now, it’s “I need to start biking before noon so that can finish my ride up by 3 PM in order to go grocery shopping before the post work crowd arrives at the store.

I am less efficient with my time. The production of the Luray Triathlon in mid-May kept me busy for most of May with final preparations, the race itself and the corresponding follow-up. Now, I exercise, work a little on race production, a little on house painting then spend the rest of the day doing “stuff” - painting miniatures, play World of Warcraft (online game), reading, taking the dogs for longer and more frequent walks, hitting the movie theater during the week, etc.

Not working at a job creates its own stress. I need to stay busy and productive - i.e. I get satisfaction from crossing off tasks from a list. With a job that tied up a significant part of my day, it was easy to find a few activities that filled up the remainder of the time. Although the “I don’t have enough time stress” has diminished, the “I’m wasting all of this free time stress” has increased. Plus, there’s the financial stress where the majority of my cash flow is out.

Net/net, not working at all is pretty cool, but I will need to find something to do relatively soon. Part-time or contract work is more appealing at this stage in the game. I’m still looking for that new idea/concept related to endurance sports that I can turn into a full-time business.

Cheers,

David

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David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2006 David B. Glover