Tricking my brain into doing some work often involves creating a time-limited game, of sorts. In the morning, emptying the dishwasher becomes a race to complete before the kettle boils for my tea. Doing some writing in an hour-long co-working zoom, focuses me and tricks my brain into starting and continuing to write. How much… Continue reading Getting Things Done
Category: Time
Productivity Reframe
Doing something useful with my time is something I value. It feels good to be productive. There’s a feeling of satisfaction when I get to the end of the day and look back at projects completed. My time wasn’t wasted. It’s my personal values and beliefs that determine what’s useful and whether I’ve spent my… Continue reading Productivity Reframe
Life Balance Is A Moving Target
Life balance is a moving target. No one secures a bullseye in life balance. Our life circumstances are too changeable and varied from one week to the next. However, it is a worthy target to aim for because it keeps us readjusting and moving in a direction that feeds us with energy and keeps us… Continue reading Life Balance Is A Moving Target
Think for Me
When I was working, I didn’t have time to think. Like most people, my day was a rush of things that needed to get done, from the moment I woke up, until the dinner dishes were done and the laundry put away. By the time evening arrived, I was too tired to do any thinking.… Continue reading Think for Me
“What Day Is It?” Phenomena
“What day is it?” is a common question during the space between Christmas and New Year’s. Our routines are completely altered and most of those normal signposts of the week disappear in the busyness of getting together with family and friends. This week, when I was walking the dog and suddenly saw the garbage bins… Continue reading “What Day Is It?” Phenomena
Solving The “Too Busy” Problem
Time management is a concept I continue to struggle with in retirement. Going from a rigid and predictable schedule to entirely open, is an on-going challenge. I’ve made some progress in assessing what I want to spend my time doing. In addition, my most recent experiment with a weekly planner has helped me to realize… Continue reading Solving The “Too Busy” Problem
The Day Planner Experiment
As anyone who is retired knows, time management in retirement is a struggle. It comes as a surprise that having “all the time in the world” does not actually help you get anything done. It’s ironic and annoying. Recently, I discovered the work of Nir Eyal on Distraction and I’m trying his time management technique… Continue reading The Day Planner Experiment
Retirement Is Saying Hello And Goodbye
All change is saying yes to the new thing and also, saying no to the old. When I retired, I was saying hello to a new exciting, chapter of my life. But, as with many hellos that I’ve had over the years, I didn’t see all the goodbyes until much later. I’m experiencing desiderium: a… Continue reading Retirement Is Saying Hello And Goodbye
Value Your Time
One of the first things that I learned as a new teacher was how to value my time. I remember spending hours cutting out and “mac tac-ing” (covering in plastic) over 50 teddy bear name tags for my first kindergarten students. I had a sore hand for days. An experienced teacher reminded me to never… Continue reading Value Your Time
Taxing Reminders
This is more of a rant and reminder than my usual content. Frustration with government bureaucracy seems to be universal no matter what part of the world you live in. Setting aside any arguments about the validity of specific taxes, it can be a challenge to remember to pay them. It can also be a… Continue reading Taxing Reminders
Retired, And Now What? 