How Setting Clear Goals Helped Me Find Time for My Passion

Balancing a demanding tech career with my passion for photography has been a journey of trial and error. I needed creativity to offset the logical demands of my job, but making time for it felt overwhelming. After deciding to take control of my schedule, I implemented a system that transformed how I approach my time and goals. Here’s what worked for me—and I hope it inspires you too.

1. Visualizing My Time with a Calendar

Using a calendar has been my go-to tool for years, and it’s been pivotal in understanding how I allocate my time. Whether it’s Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCloud, the specific tool doesn’t matter as much as the habit of mapping out my day.

I began by blocking out non-negotiables: 7 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work, meals, commutes, and other essential activities. I assigned these routine commitments a specific color, making them easy to distinguish from more flexible activities. This visual representation revealed how much—or how little—time I had for myself.

The hard truth is there’s never enough time for everything. Accepting this fact allowed me to focus on what truly mattered.

2. Setting Clear Goals

In the beginning, I made the mistake of diving into activities without clear objectives. This left me feeling “busy” but unfulfilled. To avoid this trap, I started using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) system, a simple goal-setting method. The objective is what you want to achieve, and the key results are the actions that will get you there.

For example, I aim to publish my work a few of times every two weeks and dedicate time to writing three times a week. I’ll review my progress every two weeks. If something isn’t working, I’ll adjust. This system helps me focus on what really matters.

3. Estimating and Fitting Activities into My Calendar

Understanding how much time my creative projects actually required was eye-opening. For example, publishing a photo involves multiple steps—shooting, culling, editing, and posting. Similarly, creating videos requires brainstorming, scripting, editing, and publishing.

I listed all these tasks with rough time estimates and compared them to my calendar. Some weeks were manageable; others felt overwhelming. I also made room for socializing, relaxing, and doing nothing—because life is more than just work and hobbies.

At one point, I tried to cram too much into my schedule, which led to frustration and burnout. Reflecting on my goal reminded me why I pursued photography in the first place: for joy and balance, not stress. I scaled back my plans and gave myself more flexibility, opting for a bi-weekly rhythm instead of weekly. This adjustment made my creative process enjoyable again.

Closing Thoughts

Results can vary from person to person, but in my experience, finding what works takes a lot of fine-tuning, flexibility, and self-awareness. It’s a journey without a definitive endpoint—an ever-evolving process that’s never set in stone.

One thing that made a big difference for me was journaling. Taking time to write down my thoughts every once in a while gave me the clarity I didn’t even realize I needed. We often don’t allow ourselves the space to simply think and reflect, and journaling became a way to reconnect with myself.

By adding it to my routine, I started uncovering the "why" behind many aspects of my life. This practice didn’t just help me in creative pursuits like photography but also had a profound impact on work and life in general.

If this resonates with you, give it a try—you might find it just as helpful. Most importantly, enjoy the process!