Life Without Deadlines

For all of you young professionals pulling 11 hr days, shield your eyes!
Life in Cambodia this time around is affording me hours of free time. With that, I've learned there's an art to spending them well.

I present, RZ's Tips for a Workday Without Work:
- Even if the sun/heat/noises of 6AM attack your sleeping body, persevere! Do not wake up! Stay in bed an hour or two longer.
- Once up, take your time getting ready. Yes, sweat is rolling down your neck because it's already near 95 degrees in your home, but take it easy, there are no deadlines today. Take time to journal or read a book. Those two things can stir up some inspiration for the day.
- Eat breakfast and yes, wash the dishes immediately. We don't want any ants finishing off the remnants of food left on your plates and/or silverware.
- Set some realistic goals for the day. Examples from my life: send # e-mails, take one practice GRE test, find one place to volunteer weekly, make a list of 'statement of purpose' prompts for grad school apps.
- Make lunch and dinner plans with friends. The key is not to sound too desperate. Sample text: "tons going on today but would love to grab food with you around (time). U free?"
- Choose two cafes where you'll hunker down in between your meal dates.
- Once you arrive at cafe #1, sit at a small table in the back, out of site of the cash register. No one wants to be a) the customer who hogs the big table when there is limited seating or b) the customer who only orders one small drink, uses the free internet, gets water refills every 30 minutes and stays for hours in full view of the wait staff.
- After 2.5-3 hours, move on to lunch (don't feel sad if you have to eat alone!).
- Hit up cafe #2 after lunch in the same manner as cafe #1.
- Leave after a couple hours, run some errands and check your watch. Success! It's nearly 5:30. You've met your goals and your friends are wrapping up their days at the office.

All jokes aside, its not natural or easy but I am learning to enjoy a life without deadlines.