You probably already know how much effort training to get big requires (here). But it is not just training that takes up this much time and energy from you. Almost any new skill that you want to pick up demands more effort from you than you may think.

You just witnessed some guy playing awesome guitar and impressing a bunch of ladies? Thinking about picking up the guitar? Your friend just told you that he can read 1500 words per minute? Wanna practice speed reading now? All your friends are rocking expert level on guitar hero everyday, and you are tempted to get some more practice to get to that level?

All these skills are not too hard to acquire (I am not talking about being able to play guitar like a pro), but it doesn’t mean they  will not take a big bulk of your time either. Just like for training, before picking up any new activity, you have to set your expectation clear, and set up a careful plan for achieving your goal. Then you have to follow it no matter what. That’s the attitude for doing anything in life.

You cannot be impulsive and just pick up some hobby randomly. That’s a waste of time and energy even when you don’t have to train to get big. Remember you have to go to the gym 3-4 times a week, eat enormously, and sleep lavishly, and you also have life and work to worry about too. So set aside these new activities for a while, at least until after you have got all the nuts and bolts of training (it takes about 3 months to reach that state). Even then, think twice.

Read this: How many goals should you have beside your training goal and What I like about training

RECAP: Any new hobby, skill, activity takes up more time and energy than you may think. Especially when you have to train. So think twice before picking up any.