"How do you find the time?"

It's a question I get asked more times than I'd like to admit.

Not that I'm embarrassed by the amount of time I spend doing everything except laundry and getting eight hours of sleep.

I just don't think what I can accomplish in 24 hours is really that impressive.

If I can do it, trust me, anyone can.

I had this conversation with my editor last week, when I wandered into the newsroom three hours after I had clocked out.

He couldn't believe that with my daily workload — which lately has included blogging and producing videos at least once a week — I could find the time to teach a college-level journalism class once a week.

And co-chair the Cherry Blossom Festival.

And participate in the annual Gridiron show.

And take taiko classes.

And train for a marathon.

And surf.

"Where do you find the time?"

It's really not about finding the time. The time is there. Many of us just don't know what to do with it.

Whenever I start feeling like I'm not doing enough with my life — and believe me, I feel that way a lot — my mom likes to remind me that most people come home from work, eat dinner, watch "American Idol," and go to bed.

Not everyone is out there carving out time to do yoga, run four miles or catch an evening session in the surf, she says.

Still, I never feel like I'm doing enough.

I marvel at how my girlfriends can work full time, raise well-behaved kids and still fit into size 4 jeans.

I'm completely awed by others who find the time to bake desserts out of Gourmet magazine, compete in triathlons, volunteer at homeless shelters, serve in the Peace Corps, pen novels and donate platelets.

What I do pales by comparison.

I may not be out there changing the world. But I do believe in living a full life.

Several years ago I realized I was spending more time thinking about all the things I had wanted to do — but not doing them.

We say that life is short, but how many of us do anything about it?

So I started setting goals.

Surf more often. Play guitar. Write in a journal. Read more. Run faster. Stay in touch with my friends.

And I just did it.

It wasn't easy. I had to give up a lot of must-see TV to finish a book or meet friends for drinks after work.

But it's been worth it.

I mean, I can TiVo "Grey's Anatomy," but not my life.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com. Read her daily blog at blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.