How to Get the Future You Want with “Ulterior Motive Hobbies”

November 8, 2019

By Erica Rodgers

Everyday we do the same things over and over again, even if we are quite adventurous. Some people may call this routine, but others, like myself call these repetitive tasks our “ulterior motive hobbies”. These are hobbies/daily tasks that help shape what we want our future to be. What do we do each day that helps shape our future? Well, we all still brush our teeth, put shoes on, and THINK! What do we think about? Our future! Even though many memes and other blog posts talk about staying in the present, our minds are always thinking about what we want to do and how to plan for our future to get what we want out of life. There really isn’t anything wrong with focusing on the experiences or things we want, but if we aren’t framing our everyday actions for our everyday future picture, then all is lost. How do we do that? Emotions. Getting clear on our emotions and finding what truly makes our hearts soar, our minds excited and our guts feel good is how we understand what we want in life. Let me be clear, not what other people want in life, not keeping up with the Jones’ and not having the perfect wardrobe is… OKAY. But not following your inner guidance will lead you to an alternate reality that is anything but ideal.

What are your “ulterior motive hobbies” right now, today? Are they working until you are starving, shopping online, making dinners that you don’t even like? What is your day full of? Because whatever it is full of, is what your future holds. Do these daily tasks give you joy? Do they frustrate you? Get in the mindset of giving yourself permission to enjoy your day, to love everything you are doing. Remember your daily tasks AKA “ulterior motive hobbies” should be what makes you feel good, even down to the last moment before you fall asleep. Hey, maybe sleeping more is a positive hobby for you! Think outside the box. For example, if you want to be more relaxed on a regular basis and every once in a while you make time to take a nice hot bubble bath. Bubble baths are now your new hobby! These bubble baths give you a calm, relaxed feeling so capitalize on that feeling, and it will grow and grow and grow until you are as cool as a cucumber in a hot pan. Another great example, you want to raise happy kids, then choose fun games, or cooking together, to cook that into a realistic future.

Switch from non-valued, non-goal driven hobbies to healthy goal driven hobbies and your world will become everything you want it to be. Ask yourself “what do I want to do right now that will help me relax positively, express positively, make money positively?” And then do it. If you’re not sure what to do, feel it in your head, heart and gut. You may get a clear answer, and if you don’t, if like many of us you are confused by what your body is telling you, then you can see Aaron Kapin at Thoughtful Touch. Aaron specializes in using Somatic Experiencing services to help you listen to your body, gain clarity, and eliminate stress. He can do in person sessions or video chats if you live further away.

Want some more examples of “ulterior motive hobbies”?

Mo’ money in the bank=Saving money. Hop on a credit score app or make a spreadsheet that will help you save money. Or at least get you excited about checking out all the money that is about to come your way, because you are now thinking excitedly about this new hobby of money-saving instead of bumming out every time you check your bank account.
Feel healthy=Drinking water. Once I realized I could make anything into a hobby, it sounded fun! So, off I went on a drinking water challenge and now I am so hydrated :)!
Cool as a cucumber=Relaxation time. Did you even know that it is okay for relaxation to be a hobby? Well, IT IS!!
Find yourself=Self Improvement. Repeating affirmations: “I accept wonderful things to happen to me right now” and “I am worthy of the things that I desire” are both go to’s for me. Therapy, yoga, tennis, acupuncture, and so much more!
Be yourself=Expression. Expression is a ticket in the fast lane to getting your future what you want it to be. Dance in the kitchen, write in the middle of the night, paint a rock.
Even mo’ money=Making Money. This is different than saving money. Do the things you love from a healthy, happy and non-doubtful place and let amazing miracles come to you in they way of money. Take a moment to think about this example and how it may be showing up in your life: Some people have been knitting beautiful afghans for years, have tried to sell them, but to no avail, nothing is really selling, or sales are few and far between. Make sure you LOVE making afghans and are relaxed and feel good in the moment of creating something beautiful. Then that good loving energy you are giving off will spread and fill your life with more good loving energy. The more you love yourself the more powerful amazing miracles that align with the “ulterior motive hobbies”
Feel connected=Community. Love talking with like-minded people? The internet is a gold mine. Maybe you will find a community that you fit just right with.

Some hobbies are purely just for relaxation and some for expression. Sometimes the things we enjoy doing fall into multiple categories or even all of them. Family as a hobby can be relaxation and expression. Keep in mind, these concepts are to flip the switch in your mind to show you all the positive hobbies you can have and how love is a powerful resource we should tap into.

I am giving you permission to do what you love as a hobby, even if that means your hobby is taking a bath every night for the rest of your life. Your life will change in amazing ways when you understand that anything can be YOUR “ulterior motive hobby”.

Join Sparkle Tribe, our Facebook Group, to tell us about your “ulterior motive hobbies”, or the new ones you are adopting!

Image Credit: Elena Koycheva