One thing a lot of people have in abundance these days is their time. If that includes you, it is time to put those spare times into good use. The chance is high that you spend most of your time on the internet anyways, who doesn’t?
There are two broad ways, maybe three ways, to make your free time count on the internet. You can have as much fun as you want, make some money with your time or do charity. If you let it, the internet can keep us engaged in a cycle of unproductive activities from scrolling down our Facebook feeds all day to checking our emails for the umpteenth time.
Putting your gadget away or deleting those apps may be counterproductive. But you can instead immerse yourself in these rewarding and fun activities online.
Improve your vocabulary
One obvious way to do that is to read voraciously. There is always something new, educating and probably fun to read on the internet. It is even better if it is your field so you can pick new knowledge along with improved vocabulary.
For faster results, there are countless websites and vocabulary software to take you by hand and help you brush up on your vocabulary. Some of them are paid but trust the internet always to provide you with free alternatives.
You can play games that are language-related such as word games and quizzes, daily crosswords, scrabbles and so on to mix learning with entertainment. Don’t also forget to make friends with your dictionary.
Network with professionals in your field
Now is the time to network with other professionals in your field for access to more opportunities. LinkedIn is undoubtedly the best website for that. The website has over 675 million monthly users and a good number of them are in your field.
The worst time to build relationships with experts or senior leaders in your field is when you need them or in a crisis. Make judicious use of your free time to deepen existing relationships or build new ones.
Another good way of making productive use of LinkedIn is to create articles and post them there constantly. These articles should highlight your knowledge and skills and sell you to your industry in a subtle manner. That way, you can grow your influence and not just your number of followers.
Playing online games
It is hard to find a better win-win situation than having fun and earning money doing it. One good thing about playing online games is you don’t need to purchase a console or software. You only need to head to the website and log in to your account.
A simple Google search of “rewarding games online” will bring you a lot of exciting options. Make your due diligence on the websites before you settle for one. If the users are happy and the reviews are positive, then you are good to go.
One thing though, these websites will not make you rich by any means. For a chance to win bigger sums, you may try your luck playing casino games at licensed and reputable online casinos.
Create a website or blog
You may do this for money, hobby or passion. But the bottom line is you are putting your voice and passion out there. It can be a shopping website or personal blog. As a starter, all you need to buy is a domain name and hosting from a reliable registrar such as GoDaddy.
Next, you need a blogging platform. WordPress is many people’s preferred choice and that is evident from its over 82 million users. Download and install the WordPress theme, free or premium, from your host server.
Update your website or blog daily or weekly and you are on your way to turning your hobby or passion into a cash cow.
Learn a new language
As they say, the world is now a global village. For you to be a good global citizen, you may need to learn one or two new languages. The language to learn may depend on the culture you love or the one you love how it sounds. It may also be true to maximize your business dealings and opportunities.
There are sites on the internet where you can learn several new languages. And thankfully, some of these courses or sites are free. Some of the Learning apps considered by many as the best are Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
Offer Freelance Services
Depending on how much free time and your type of skills, you can get good value for your time and skills in exchange for money as a freelancer. The chance is you have knowledge or skills and others are ready to pay a premium for it. If you don’t, don’t despair. There are loads of skills you can pick up in a matter of days, weeks or months.
Take advantage of several online courses, tutorials, videos, and other resources to brush up your skills or learn new ones. In case you are asking, how do I get clients to pay for my services? Simple. You can head over to freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and others to register an account and start earning.
Final Thought
The internet has created an overlap between our work and free time. It is time to block those addictive apps and use your free time for more productive and fun activities. Remember, using your free time productively doesn’t have to be boring. Pick from any of the activities listed to make your free time fun and more rewarding.
