How To Manage All Your Interests (and get real results)

[@JoelSnape1]

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[@chrismclaughlin491]

1. 0:40 - Make a Graveyard 2. 2:35 - Look for Life Multipliers 3. 4:00 - Make Your "Must-Do" List 4. 5:50 - Do a Time Audit 5. 7:30 - Change Your S.U.P. (smallest unit of productive time) 6. 8:45 - Avoid Zero Days 7. 10:05 - Think Like an Orange Farmer

[@JoelSnape1]

Thanks Chris! There's a summary in the description but I forgot to do timestamps. Ta!

[@Ichigocraftco]

thank you! this helps me so much because I want to learn piano, learn how to crochet, continue video games, Draw/paint (digitally and traditionally), build legos, read, journal, exercise and everyone tells me I have too many hobbies lol but your method helps me. I can break down each hobby and dedicate time for that because I am a teacher and I have summers off.

[@JoelSnape1]

Ha, that's a lot but I'm sure you can do it. Best of luck!

[@Mystic_Paths]

prioritizing and organizing your interests so they align with your overall purpose without overwhelming you. ❤

[@lauraanthony773]

Because of watching your videos in the past, I’ve gone from “what could I possibly do in a 15 minute chunk of time?!” to realizing that 15 minutes IS a useful unit of time for a hobby. Love the post-it note idea here for the Smallest Unit of Productive Time. One of my issues is the feeling of mental exhaustion, and I think grabbing one little post-it when I do have a small chunk of time could really help me just get going. Or, as you say, “Just Start.” Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas here; your channel has enriched my life.

[@JoelSnape1]

This is such a lovely comment to get Laura, thank you. Hope it continues to be helpful.

[@hufficag]

I also suffer from emotional mental exhaustion after doing a 10 hour work day with unruly chaotic teenagers whose job is to thwart the peaceful orderly teacher's efforts. I find that taking a nap immediately after work is the best, but unfortunately due to morning coffee, I'm no longer able to take naps. So I just vegetate on the sofa after I come home from work, until midhight, then go to sleep.

[@Ronnie-i6u]

As a 24 year old I’m excited to implement these strategies, recently bought my first piano while taking an interest in kick boxing & weight lifting, I thought it would be impossible to manage my time while working & going back to school but this video has given me plenty of hope. Also having these hobbies will help me become the person I want to be in the future. Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@JoelSnape1]

This is great to hear! I honestly think that gym 2-3 days a week (40 minutes a time) pays off so hard in the energy it gives you that it pretty much pays the time back. Good luck with all your projects, keep in touch!

[@hufficag]

I'm a 24 year old who finished university and signed up to go teach in China in 2010 because nobody is hiring fresh grads. Finally in China there's low pay but also low hours, so I can have my dream life and spend up to 10 hours a day just doing what I want. Learned Chinese by 2012, girls come and go, I don't focus on relationships. Enough working at a university, started my own school in 2014, lost it because bad people were envious, became a wage slave working for a high school in 2016, meaningless life of working 9-5 every day. Quit that in 2017 to go live on the beach, can work 2 days a week but it's small children, I can't do that, went back to teaching high school. Crazy 2019 so I quit my job and went to live on the beach again with some savings but then Covid started. I was running a publishing house, and everything went up in fire, so by 2021 I had to find a teaching job again. Now I'm a 39 year old with no stable residence, no close friends, no real hobbies or skills. I mean I can do stuff, carpentry, cooking, I watch a lot of KZbin, have stacks of books to read, I build motorcycles and ebikes, but it's minor. I have no real business, savings or career. Not sure what to do as I'm approaching 40. Seems hopeless, I'll probably die homeless as an unemployed engineer. They stop giving out teaching jobs by 55 in Asia.

[@UnpotatoLifestyle]

This is a hands down the best video for multipassionate people I've seen. Maybe because it really resonates with me in the style of management my different interests. But it feels so good not to hear "focus" or "you need to pick one thing at a time" again. Thank you, I hope we'll continue to enjoy all the stuff that we do. And there are some great tips on improving and planning there, too, for sure.

[@RadarAustralia]

I have used similar systems which have enabled me to win multiple national and state awards for work, achieving more degrees than a thermometer (including PhD) and exercising 3 x a week. I retired @56. I now have ditched goals, focus on process with a specific routine to fix practice and practise errors. Much less stress. Now do sea kayaking, surf ski, mountain biking and classical guitar to ward off possible alzheimers. Good videos!

[@JoelSnape1]

This is pretty amazing. Love to hear more about what you've found helpful!

[@spyrosrapsomanikis5280]

This is great work. Something I aspire to achieve in my lifestyle. Are you on Insta ?

[@RadarAustralia]

One aspect is deciding what not to do even though it may sound interesting. Another is choosing to associate with people who you can have a symbiotic relationship with, not so much with those who you feel suck the life out of you. Timing activities so that when you feel you can do a little more you stop there. That usually provides the motivation start again the next day. Last one, if you are not failing you are not trying hard enough.

[@RadarAustralia]

Not on insta as I feel I am setting myself on fire to warm others…a time suck for me as well.

[@spyrosrapsomanikis5280]

@@RadarAustralia I understand where you are coming from. What is your career background ?

[@svensebastianhorner]

The art of making priorities this is.

[@arace9512]

Great video, Joel! I have definitely found that physical activity and a focus on dieting goes a long way. Loved the other advice too. Keep up the good work! 🔥

[@JoelSnape1]

Good stuff! Will do!

[@redcrossreborn]

That bit on the SUP was brilliant. Thanks for the video!

[@JoelSnape1]

No problem. Glad it was useful!

[@mikaelnorri]

Thank you for this. As a guy with thousands of interests and with the concentration of rabid squirrel this helped alot.

[@JoelSnape1]

Good to hear! Stick around, I've got more coming.

[@andriustheviking]

Joel, you always seem to publish just exactly the right advice I need to hear. Sitting down now and going through my hobbies right now.

[@JoelSnape1]

This is great to hear, Andrius - let me know how you get on!

[@prof.einsteindarcy3951]

So glad to have you back, Joel. Always love your videos❤

[@JoelSnape1]

Oh this is a lovely comment to get, thanks very much!

[@smartstrength4414]

Aside: an idea that tracks with your orange farmer idea that I've organically done ( I have a business, 4 kids, am learning Spanish, sing, trail run, never stopped dating my wife, etc.) is that each "Season" must shift which activities can be "high density," "moderate density", and "low density". This cycles throughout the year, where "low density" would be a "Non-negotiable minimum" while "high density" might be a "maximum efficient dose" of the activity. There is progress in maintenance.

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

Reminds me of the ideas in The 12 Week Year. You can’t sprint in every area of life at once, so choose which are going to be sprint/focus areas, and which will be maintenance areas, for a set period of time. Evaluate and reprioritize.

[@JoelSnape1]

This sounds like a really good idea, and I think it's something I kind of fall into naturally: there are times when I go more all-in on piano or BJJ or work, for instance. Maybe worth thinking about planning out a bit more though - sounds like you've got a lot more on than me with 4 kids!

[@JoelSnape1]

@@robertgarvansnyder4665 This book sounds interesting. Recommended read?

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

@@JoelSnape1 definitely recommend.

[@PatrickLynch-c6s]

This video popped up on my feed at a perfect time! I started a new job where I’m doing a lot of studying and a few of my other hobbies have been neglected since. Looking forward to putting what I learned into practice and sharing this video!

[@JoelSnape1]

Let's goooooooo

[@al_humphreys]

Looking forward to reading your book on all this!

[@JoelSnape1]

Looking forward to writing it! Thanks Al!

[@FlorianLapiz]

Thanks a lot for the Input.I like the orange farmer metapher.

[@naomicgabriel]

Whoah! I remember watching your piano progress video years ago, cool to see you're making content regularly!

[@JoelSnape1]

Ha! Glad you found your way back, hope you stick around for some more videos!

[@acidkroket]

Judo! classic skill to wanna learn for a bjj practitioner . purple belt myself and also in need of more judo skills :)

[@JoelSnape1]

It's the new meta! Harai/uchi are such great additions to the game, even if they recover it quite often chains into a front headlock...

[@epistafi]

Quite funny how mentioning card juggling randomly reminded me of my hyper focus on cardistry when I was 15 😂

[@JoelSnape1]

Ha, nice! I got really into regular juggling at 15, my Mill's Mess is still pretty decent 😃

[@PhilipJensen]

You and me both. 😅

[@Promentalist]

Thanks so much! I’ve started doing something similar but you’re further ahead down the path than me. I’ve started a Second Brain to mentally declutter like you’ve done here so I can ultimately get to a sustainable, while still fulfilling system like this. This is a PERFECT example. Thanks again 😊

[@JoelSnape1]

No problem, hope it's helpful! (I haven't read Second Brain yet, but it's on my list)

[@dhruv_savage7410]

this video is an absolute banger and these systems are amazing. cant wait to implement them

[@JoelSnape1]

This is very kind! Hope it goes well - shout if you want more specifics

[@cxa011500]

Good tips. I definitely need to apply some of these ideas.

[@JoelSnape1]

Best of luck!

[@AlexGreen-v2h]

wow that was super helpful I can so relate to your ambitions

[@JoelSnape1]

Let's goooooo

[@bjorncarlsson4556]

I have a similar system and I lead an amazing award winning life

[@OMGProductivity]

12:12 So glad I’m not the only one where my feet don’t touch the ground when I’m on couches lol

[@JoelSnape1]

Hahah, when the family go the bed that couch is MINE

[@tumblingrosesstudio]

Fantastic- thank you so much 🎉

[@JM-pe5su]

This is pretty good thanks. I almost didn't click because of the gazillion other videos and books etc. that relate to this subject, but something about it looked genuine enough to check it out

[@JoelSnape1]

Glad you clicked, my man

[@patrickneeds1297]

I had a hard time focusing because of that giant cup you had. That seems like an amazing amount of coffee.

[@JoelSnape1]

Haha I can't be certain but I think it was tea. (When it's coffee that mug is only ever about a third full, I just like chunky mugs)

[@tonyz1241]

I use something like the Graveyard for writing too, it's the only way I survived my Master's Thesis. I make a separate doc however, call it my "scratch notes" and chuck in all references and citations there, and when I have the outline I want for the main doc, I make a working copy of it, then cut-paste items from the working copy into a copy of the outline. Then I take those references and work them into cohesive paragraphs, and, "the paper writes itself." Your word of graveyard is provocative. Intentional? I could also see it being called a "scrapyard" which carries a bit more meaning for me than graveyard -- but the provocation there definitely got me mulling it over where I may have breezed past "scrapyard" had you used that instead. Hard to say at this point :P

[@JoelSnape1]

Hey, thanks for outlining your system - that sounds really useful. I don't know if you've read Smart Notes, but there's a similar vibe in there about actual writing being easy to do if you do your research and keep enough notes in the first place. As for graveyard - I just call it that because that's what they called it in the job where I got into the habit. There isn't really supposed to be a resonance, so scrapyard might work fine - though I guess it *is* stuff I'm prepared to kill? Hmm. I'll think about it!

[@benzobennett]

Love this video thanks for the insight

[@JoelSnape1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cesarsarabia5820]

I’ve found it hard to do almost anything since my baby was born. I barely squeeze in working out on top of my off days. First off, I’m an RN and work 12hr days, am married, have a 15 month old daughter and another kid 19 weeks in the oven. Let’s say I’m trying to practice piano, my little toddler comes either to me because she wants to play (which I do, I can’t neglect her) or she joins me and starts mashing all the keys, which can make it hard to practice. The one thing I ask my significant other is to at least give me the time to go to gym, other than that it’s very hard to fit in anything extra right now. Any tips or advice?

[@PhilipJensen]

I keep a graveyard document seperate for every project I create, how do you handle yours? Do you just have it at the bottom of the document? Thank you for the pointers, they are super interesting.

[@JoelSnape1]

I have it at the bottom of my working doc (I find it more reassuring that it's all there in the same place, somehow) - then I make a fresh copy of the doc without any of the graveyard stuff if I need to share it with someone else (if it's paid work, for instance). I have a really clear "GRAVEYARD" header so it's obvious where the dumping ground starts Glad it's useful!

[@SwillyWonka]

What if I have a bit of a slower life, and I'm not trying to squeeze everything into a busy schedule, I have all the time in the world. However, I have found for myself I will burn myself out on certain hobbies because I have so much time to dedicate. I go back into a bit of a neutral state where I want to lay around a lot and feel lethargic, then I feel like I need to do stuff, so I find a new hobby to tackle, and the cycle continues. How should I fix this?

[@JoelSnape1]

So just so I'm understanding this: you quite often take up a new hobby, then go crazy on it for a while, then burn out on it? I think there are maybe two things you can do here: 1. Find a sustainable schedule. A lot of guys take up BJJ, then decide to do it 5 days a week, then get injured or overtrained, or don't make progress as fast as they think they should (because of the above), and stop. In reality, if you train 2-3 times a week it can help you stay hungry and keep going. 2. Connect the hobbies to your greater sense of self. This isn't about changing all your social handles to "BJJ/piano guy", it's more about being the sort of person who does these things, rather than just someone who does hobbies. I like doing BJJ and going to the gym, for instance, because I like being strong and capable of defending myself. When I do hobbies just because I should try them, they never last. Hope that's helpful!

[@mondoraj]

This was excellent!

[@JoelSnape1]

Thank you, my friend!

[@benhallo1553]

Amazing video editing here

[@JoelSnape1]

Thanks Ben!

[@WOK-YT-handle]

This is good advice! 🤩

[@MooreMusic12]

Love your videos ❤❤

[@JoelSnape1]

Thank you!

[@Grunfeld]

Good video. BTW, I read Gibbons however, retained v. little. I like the subject though, read a few, and my favourite alternative to Gibbons, was **Adrian Goldsworthy, The Fall of the West**.

[@JoelSnape1]

Ohh that's interesting! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into it

[@mbnto3135]

Thanks! Nice content. Feedback: better sound/mic and break it into segments/chapters. Would also be good to know how you approach improving family analogous to how you improve bjj.

[@JoelSnape1]

Better mic en route! Good call about family stuff: I'm not sure how many of my viewers care about that stuff, but I do try to touch on it in the relevant videos. (a couple of small ideas: I try to write down ideas for 'fun' things to do with my 7-year-old as soon as I have them, so that I've always got a list, and I try to do at least one 'mental' thing (art projects, engineering stuff, etc) every day, and at least one 'physical' thing (kicking a ball, letting him punch me, general horseplay)

[@mbnto3135]

@@JoelSnape1 Thanks for reading and replying. If you care, they'll care. Becoming a writer, getting a black belt or acheiving whatever goal through great management of time will feel very not worth it if you get divorced and your kids dont talk to you. M2C.

[@StevieJPN]

Thank you

[@JoelSnape1]

You're very welcome

[@guitargirlutube]

Is graveyard a feature of Microsoft word or another program? Sorry, I’ve not heard of this before- great concept!

[@JoelSnape1]

Oh, it's just the name I give it! It really comes from writing, but maybe that's the way I was taught. It's not a feature, I just literally write 'Graveyard' underneath my 'main' draft and throw everything I don't need in there. Glad it's helpful!

[@guitargirlutube]

@@JoelSnape1 great idea- thanks )

[@tapankamath]

Love your vids dude! But could you get a mic or fix the echo in your room😅

[@JoelSnape1]

Sorry man, you're the second person to mention this! Will look into what's going on (I've got a mic on in this vid but clearly something's not working)

[@yushankkashyap7771]

Your video was really nice, every broll looks great. If you can improve your mic sound, that will maximize your video quality to new level

[@JoelSnape1]

Yeah, someone else said this about the mic - not sure what's gone wrong with the sound. I'm investigating!

[@richachioprocreate9437]

Any chance we can see the finished cake please?😂

[@JoelSnape1]

I've put a pic on my Community posts now!

[@diilain]

Have you got a full time job? Serious question!

[@JoelSnape1]

Yes! 9-5 though I often work from home (I also freelance after hours to support my family). I might make the jump to full time freelance soon, which will probably be just as much work but let me manage my time better.

[@Divyv520]

Hey Joel , really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with more Quality Editing in your videos and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail and also help you with the overall youtube strategy and growth ! Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@JoelSnape1]

Hey man, I'm happy with my editor but could chat thumbnails. Email in the about section!

[@lifesfluff]

Why does everyone learn things ? What motivates you ? Without feeling existential ?( why do anything if we are just gonna live so many years )

[@JTDIYM]

What else do you want to do? Doomscrolling all day?

[@lifesfluff]

@@JTDIYM I don’t but I was just wondering about other people.

[@JoelSnape1]

I've been thinking about this since yesterday. Might write a whole newsletter about it. Short answer: because it's fun. Long answer: true, in the end everything might be sort of pointless (depending on what view of the world you subscribe to), but while I'm hear, learning stuff (that doesn't directly connect to my work) makes me feel alive and better connected to the world, and gives me more ways of understanding it. Learning about art has given me new ways to see the world, and learning about maths makes me feel connected to the language of the universe. Learning to grapple is a dopamine rush, but also a great way to connect with other people.

[@lifesfluff]

@@JoelSnape1 that’s good answer . Makes sense it’s fun 🤩

[@Sportsproet]

Because its so fun to learn and create! To keep trying and to see the progress.nto practice and experiment. I love craftmanship and the whole process to goes into making things. To be amazed people before us have discovered certain techniques and have refined it on such high level. For example when you get some small tips on a technique. And it works out so well. I love that feeling. I am so boggled by humans and their creativity and intelligence.

[@salvo1997sls]

Hold on, was that Pye?

[@JoelSnape1]

Sorry, I really don't understand this comment? 😂

[@amthedarknight]

You're a Morden day renaissance, man Love your videos

[@JoelSnape1]

This is very cool, thanks (obviously Batman was an early inspiration for me)

[@MrGrimlocke]

You should make that Andrew WK video lol

[@JoelSnape1]

Aw I really want to. Don't suppose you can edit? (also I'm glad someone paused the video! 😅)

[@MrGrimlocke]

@@JoelSnape1 Sorry, I can't edit

[@JoelSnape1]

Don't worry, I'll get to it one day

[@hufficag]

Must do: stop being a wage slave Bucket list: everything else, find a girl, start a family, get a professional career or business going, cook, draw, play with drones

[@JoelSnape1]

These are some good goals.

[@smartstrength4414]

I want to know why Andrew WK is a quadrupal threat though.

[@JoelSnape1]

I'm so glad people are pausing on this bit! I PROMISE I will make this video when I become independently wealthy.

[@smartstrength4414]

@@JoelSnape1 I mean he and his band blew my face off in a basement venue in Mesa, Arizona like 21 years ago so I know the man is a threat. XD

[@lifesfluff]

Seems cool . 🆒 your sound .. is there something funny about it ?

[@JoelSnape1]

Is there? Sorry, seems okay when I listen but I'm on phone. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Donkle365]

@@JoelSnape1 Hey Joel, I've got the same issue, there's possibly reverberation in the room which can cause voices to sound like this. Some acoustic treatment for the room or some mic that is better at picking up only sound that's close could help with that. I used headphones, I suppose it made it easier to notice this

[@ChristopherSchellhaas]

@@JoelSnape1​​⁠I was checking comments to see if anyone else mentions it. Your audio quality is way off on these last three videos from what it was before. Sounds echoey / tin canny. Still amazing content, though.

[@JoelSnape1]

@@ChristopherSchellhaas Really? That's weird, I'm using the same mic/phone camera as I was before, but maybe something's gone wrong, I'll see what I can do. Glad you're sticking around for the content, I'll try to sort the audio

[@JoelSnape1]

@@Donkle365 Thanks for the feedback, I'm on it

[@simontaylor2525]

Or...how to make fun things seem like work

[@JoelSnape1]

Ha, that's a fair take. From my POV, I have more fun when I feel like I'm improving at things - if you prefer to noodle around and play, take your time, etc, that's totally cool. I'm just explaining what works for me!

[@simontaylor2525]

@@JoelSnape1 Excuse my flippancy! No I agree, whatever works for the individual. I'm really terrible at tracking progress in general, I should definitely use some of these techniques to speed up my learning.

[@Clickie13]

The most important step? Be wealthy

[@JoelSnape1]

I am...not wealthy (I do okay, but I still work all the time)

[@RadarAustralia]

Most important steps are staying focussed and routine.

[@prettyprincess8187]

Eh, not really. I have a normal 9-5, I'm not even making 60k yet and I have hella hobbies. Most are solo hobbies but occasionally, I try a class or two.

[@benhallo1553]

Are you single?

[@JoelSnape1]

Nope, married with a 7YO!

[@ryangierman4421]

Your beard is uneven

[@6drk6mrc6]

Not having a 9-5 must help

[@JoelSnape1]

I wouldn't know, I have a 9-5 :)

[@theodorerollet170]

⁠

[@theodorerollet170]

Burn

[@6drk6mrc6]

@@JoelSnape1 sorry, don't believe it

[@All5Horizons]

So, the way to make time for your interests is to waste a whole bunch of time planning it out.

[@JoelSnape1]

Only a waste if it doesn't save time down the line, my man.

[@All5Horizons]

@@JoelSnape1 haha respect. Fair enough, man!

[@FrenchSissoko]

That is an actual trap that is possible to fall into. Realizing this can require to fall into it for some times, and adjust to avoid this caveat.