Motivating yourself... to pursue hobbies

As I look back at my last post and realize it's been almost two weeks since I've written a blog entry - and as I wonder whether I should postpone writing this one to watch the NBA and NHL playoffs - I find myself pondering the issue of motivation, especially as it applies to hobbies.

For those of you who are still in high school or college, you may wonder what I mean. After all, it's academics that can be tough to find motivation for; extracurricular commitments are the best part of higher education. Especially in an era that calls for a greater variety of skills and experience, what can be better than doing things that are not your primary occupation?

There is something, though, about the post-college life that seems to dampen most people's enthusiasm for hobbies. Whether it's not having enough time, being tired from work, or just a change in mindset, people read, lead, and contribute less than they ever have. You know what's much easier? Sitting on the couch and catching up on the shows clogging up your DVR.

The impact of this, however, seems to be negative overall. After growing up as Renaissance men and women, twenty-somethings suddenly find themselves doing nothing more than going to work, eating dinner, and going to sleep - just to wake up and do it all over again. Weekends consist of doing all the errands that didn't get done all week long and then going out for dinner and a 3D movie, which may or may not be followed by a tame house party. This can be frustrating and mentally grating.

So, is that it? Or can something be done about it?

Glancing at my long-neglected guitar and several other abandoned projects, it would be amiss for me to say that I have found the answer to those questions. However, I can offer a few thoughts on characteristics of hobbies that might make them more appealing in the post-college world:

-Choose a hobby that involves very different physical and/or intellectual actions than what you do at work all day. If you spend all day mired in books, don't take up reading. If your job requires you to be on your feet, try something that allows you to stretch out and relax.

-If at all possible, find something that you can do with someone else. Having a friend or colleague to do something with gives you someone to hold you accountable as well as more of an incentive to do the activity in the first place.

-Try a hobby related to something that you've done before, and also try something absolutely different. Depending on your personality, one or the other might prove more rewarding, and you have nothing to lose by giving both a shot.

All that said, I'm still searching for the key to making extracurricular activities fun again. Any thoughts?