One of the key changes from being employed to retired, but still doing things, is your time management changes. As the tile of this musing indicates, it seems to go through rapid swings and diary management becomes actually more of an issue than when at work.
Most workers, even senior executives have some standard pattern, times when they are available and times in meetings........I used to sometimes complain at the number of meetings I attended in my last real job with Derbyshire Constabulary, but I guess I have as many now.
The difference is that I am balancing demands, from in my case at least three separate and unconnected organisations, as well as the domestic and personal stuff of Doctors, Hospitals, car services, going out etc
So unlike having one employer to whom you can say “I can’t make your meeting because I’m already booked with MrX (if Mr X is superior to the requestor, you know who has to adapt and change.) .........................Oh come on you didn’t think that its anything to do with how important the subject of the meeting is, do you ?
But with a volunteering portfolio, the separate organisations do not connect, so I have to make my own decisions............. Do I agree to extra Magistrates sittings, or do some work with the Credit Union on staffing structures or train some more over 55 beginners in computers ?
Well its a call I make but then something else pops up elsewhere that may be more important or time critical but can I really drop one set of people for another.............the stress of time management has become more complex. Thank goodness for electronic diaries and calendars but make sure you are synchronised and don’t make a commitment from one diary which hasn’t been updated yet !
I think I have cracked that one, using the home computer and the ”must have it with me at all times” IPAD, I can access emails and reply from any email account I have, including an Exchange server one, just remembering to change the signature as necessary. (Well worth checking these very regularly, and just before you agree or decline something............. because another item may have been canceled or switched).
Via ITunes I can sync the calendar, and using bluetooth, the to do lists. An "in the Cloud" solution might be even more effective but costs money ( I am a poor pensioner don’t forget) and none of my organisations are going to pay for it, but then maybe I can create the illusion of busyness by spending time, managing my time, rather than watching the telly.
I’m not complaining though, the ‘sort of routine’ is good, the days when there is nothing on means I need to do things like do the washing, take the bins out etc which whilst necessary are not mentally exerting.
The other problem is what you promised to do, or need to do before the next formal or informal appearance, but hey I can write a proposal on a Sunday or read minutes and agendas at 2 o’clock in the morning.
I guess if I really want to, I can stop doing some or all of my activities or of course even take up more ! So perhaps some time management juggling is worthwhile.
Just don’t anyway tell you that it must be easier now you are retired. Now I have to plan in my holidays, when can they all spare me for two weeks ??????????
