This or that questions are a great way to learn more about yourself and those around you. I enjoy thinking about these and observing them in my own life.
One that has occurred to me is asking others how they would spend an hour of free time. This can be an unexpected hour that just pops up or an hour that seems to exist each day such as right after dinner and before nighttime routines.
The choice for this hour of free time is to Lean In or Lean Back.
Lean In – Those who lean in plan the free time with a purpose. They have a list of things they would love to do if a bit of time presents itself. They are prepared to accomplish a project, work on a hobby, read a book, watch a movie they’ve wanted to see, or call a friend to meet for lunch.
Lean Back – Those who lean back let the hour unfold in front of them. They are excited to have an extra hour and discover the best way to spend the time in the moment. They might turn on the TV and scroll to see what to watch, meander to the back deck to relax and hang out, pull out a project or hobby that seems good to take on right now, or spontaneously call someone to engage in conversation.
Neither approach is “right”, just different.
My Story
Most of the time, I lean in. There is a list in my mind to pick from and dive into. Usually, I will decide to tackle a project or read.
However, lately I’ve been drawn to a growing list of “to watch” shows and movies on Netflix.
Selecting television sometimes makes me feel guilty. The Lean In tendency often makes me feel like I should be accomplishing something during these down times. The relaxation I get from watching a show doesn’t seem to qualify in my head as an accomplishment.
By knowing myself, I can work to sometimes try to take a break from that ever-present list.
Your Turn
Are you more Lean In or Lean Back?
Does knowing this about yourself cause you to think about free time differently?
What do you observe about others in your life?