How do I maximize my time?

It's great if you have a workspace that you can leave everything out.Then whenever you have a little time you good glue a few pieces or paint something and leave it out.Thats how I get a lot of my bench time in.

When I was in an apartment, I had to put my stuff away after each session,so it didn't lend itself to short sessions.

First things first.  Schoolwork and chores should be at the top of the list.

Thinking of whatever modeling time you have after that as a reward for getting the important stuff done.

   Agreed, school work, chores then models. DO NOT forget to sleep...you are a growing young person and a good nights sleep is VERY important!! Plastic and the forum s are here for long weekends and will be around well into your later years.

      Please study first...and get proper rest....I know first hand what this obsessive hobby can do lol.

Like you, my modelling time tends to be limited by other demands. Here's a couple suggestions that help me make the most of the opportunities I get...

First, it helps to have a dedicated place to work if that's possible. It takes a lot of time to get stuff out and put it away, so if you can find a way to leave your work and tools "out" between sessions, you get more productive time.

Second, I enjoy having a toolkit with all the essentials organized and handy. Mine is a small plastic tackle box from the fishing department of Walmart. It measures about 8" x 12" and has a single layer of compartments and a lid with nice firm clasps - cost maybe $5. I originally bought it for a trip so I could do some building and find that I use it all the time. It helps me to be able to grab one thing that has most of the tools I need.

Enjoy your summer "vacation"!

Mike

Like you I have very little time. Full time job during the week from 6 to 3, then a second job until 7 or 8. I hold open houses on the weekends plus yard work and cooking the meals when I have the time.  The weekends also intail family and the grandchildren on occasion or working with my brother in law. I too have very little time, maybe an hour in the evenings and a few hours here and there on the weekends. Oh then there's the time I need to spend with with the wife going somewhere or just watching a movie together. 

I've always said, I eat my veggies first. That's literally as well as figuratively. In other words I get through the tougher things first before I sit down for any enjoyment. Work and chores before play.

I do find the time here and there.

Time management is a skill that will benefit you for your entire life.  What you have to do, what you need to do, then what you want to do.   If youre lucky they are all what you want to do.  

keavdog

Time management is a skill that will benefit you for your entire life.  What you have to do, what you need to do, then what you want to do.   If youre lucky they are all what you want to do.  

 

Make a list of what you spend time on every day for seven days. Include reasonable me time such as love interests, reading books, cooking, playing sports, church if you do that.

Might be a couple of hours a day on average.

Then eating, school, any charity stuff.

Sleep of course.

Modeling is a discipline like studying or practicing an instrument.

There are no clear cut rules and I wish I had more time to do it all but I work full time.

Try to attach modeling to another thing you care about, kind of optimize it.

Like a modeling club, or a best friend who likes to do it.

Or a volunteer at a VA hospital.

Or that girl you like who likes gundam.

bill

Teenage Modeler

It's summer, and you know what that means . Unfortunately for me, I will be going to a summer school by my parents(which I support) because I am about to be a freshmen in high school, and it pays off to have a good start in high school by learning.

 

Unfortunately, it takes my time away from modelling. How can I maximize my time modelling, while doing chores, excercise, and school related stuff?

 

It might seem like a stupid question, but maybe I should work from the morning, until afternoon.

But what about in between? The chores? The free time?

 

While it may seem easy to shirk the "have to do" stuff for the "want to do" stuff, remember, you need to build a strong foundation in your life.  Many people ignore the hard stuff early on, because they see the older folks having it a little easier, and they  want that. What they forget, or dont want to admit to themselves, is that many, if not most, of those 'older folks' have already gone through the hard stuff, and have sort of earned the easier stuff.

Don't fall into that trap (although, it sounds like you are a level headed young man that sees the importance of that strong foundation...) and do the hard stuff.  It will set you up for success, and make it easier in the future, to not think twice about picking up that 'expensive' new Tamiya kit....

Now, that being said, there is nothing that states that you cant mentally model while doing your chores!  go over planned builds in your head, visualize the steps you would like to perform.  Sharpen up your vision for that build you currently have on the bench.  Download and listen to the bevy of podcasts available on modeling!  If you hadnt yet heard of them, here is the current roster of available podcast shows that are modeling related:

On The Bench-the O.G. podcast, based out of Austrailia.  Dave, Ian, and Julian are great to listen to!

The Scale Model Podcast-based in Canadia.  Another good show with many episodes in the catalog

Plastic Model ***-Kentuky Dave and Mike.  Based in Kansas, another excellent podcast!

The Plastic Posse Podcast-Scott, Doug, TJ and John (my personal favorite) They talk about a wide range of subjects, and even host group builds on ther facebook groups.

The Model Geeks-A group of former Navy aviation guys.  Another great show!

Just Making Conversation-A show out of England. an interesting view from across the pond!

Nose to the grindstone first and formost, young man!  I, for one, will be here to support you!

Ditto::

   Look at it like a job.Get the schooling and chores done,Then matbe an hour or two of modeling before retirement. Keep the music and other activities on the gentle side. You'll be more relaxed.