Seniors...how do you stretch the hours to get more things done?

[sixdogs]

How do you stretch the day to trick yourself into getting more things done? Time management? Work harder? Nap frequently?

In my single years I could work hard from dawn till morn, push paper all day, work again till dark and then go out on a date. Rinse and repeat. The bucket list was two entries back in the olden days. Double time on the weekends.


Now retired, I find my bucket list getting longer rather than shorter and there are never enough hours in the day. I have found by getting up earlier and taking a mid-day siesta I can, in effect, have two work days. Slight of hand but it works for me. I've also found that rigorous daily exercise and staying fit helps. Still, I'd like more and am looking for input.

What works for you? Any ideas to mention or things to try? I'm all ears.

 

[oosik]

Well - I retired when I was 52 - just about 20 years ago. I get up early and get things done before it gets so dang hot. My "to do" list has the things that if not done can result in added problems - listed first. The unfortunate fact is that those things listed first are quite often not "fun" things - but that's life.

I try to take a nap every day from around 2-4 pm - during the hottest part of the day. Then if I have more to do - it will be in the late afternoon when - hopefully - things have cooled down and I'm rested. Exactly as you indicate.

Be careful on developing your "to do" list. There are actually things that need to get done and then there are things that are fun. I try to get all the important stuff done first - but there are those time when the fun things just fowl everything up.

I've also found that if you go for the permanent fix rather than the quick bandaid - your list will, with time, get shorter.

Otherwise - don't worry about the non-critical things. Enjoy your retirement - the non-critical things will get done sooner or later.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Well, I finally succumbed to the limitations of the body...now it has the full cooperation of the mind. I do pretty much what I want to, when I want to and maybe I don't do it at all. I do have two or three outstanding projects, but they all require standing on a ladder swinging a paint brush, or shoveling topsoil into a trailer. I do actually get quite a bit done, but I don't tackle plumbing and electrical any more; it's easier to pay to get it done. We live on an acreage, so there's always plenty to do...especially since I applied 400 lbs of fertilizer to my one acre yard...sometimes I have to do it twice.

 

[Mendonsy]

I have found that if I ignore the items on my wife's "to do" list until she has changed her mind about what she wants at least twice it save a lot of time and effort.

 

[phiferpharm]

I have found that if I ignore the items on my wife's "to do" list until she has changed her mind about what she wants at least twice it save a lot of time and effort.

The missus is gonna get you for this....even though it is true..

 

[Egon]

All you gotta do is pay attention aches and pains. That'll set your schedule.

 

[bigtiller]

Snip - getting more things done? Time management? Work harder? - Snip

As a retired guy, that sounds like it is getting dangerously close to work. You should proceed with caution! In my book, when play turns into work, I go home.

 

[newbury]

How do you stretch the day to trick yourself into getting more things done? Time management? Work harder? Nap frequently? <snip>

I try to set jobs in small chunks of time dependent on weather. Jobs that cannot be broken down into half hour "busy breaks" require more preparation. Luckily I've a lot of workspace to leave projects "paused".

<snip>
My Father taught me a job worth doing is worth doing when you can do it well. Sometimes it's better not to start a non-critical project until you've fully completed the 3 P's:
Ponder a lot and do some sketches
Piddle around - looking to see what's on hand you can use and repurpose
Putter - start putting things together so you can finish the project with a purpose.

There are millions of jobs to get done.

Presently my ACTIVE jobs include:
repairing my FEL
pulling a 150K maintenance on my Dually
Rebuilding a lawnmower
Installing worklights in my shop
Redoing plumbing in shops
Patching shop roofs
Working on 220 1 phase to 3 phase converter
and the list just goes on endlessly.

The list is usually added to daily, with more added then struck off.

I'm trying to muddle through it by working to a convenient stopping point, leave notes if necessary. Stop take a break, resume or go to another suspended project.

For example I was replacing a cylinder on my FEL today, ran out of grease for the pins. Will resume when grease is obtained. I've been replacing my flourescent shop lights (about 50 or so).
I'm about 1/10 the way through. I've got the rotary phase converter set up to test the motor, but's that's lower priority.

Work seems to go much smoother and cheaper when it does not have to be done IMMEDIATELY and I can wait for on-line order parts delivery and work on other projects.

Life is like the ocean surf, often chaotic, difficult to stay on top of, and you have to follow it's course. But it's great when you are on top.

 

[bcp]

Don't stretch the hours, shrink the things to do.

Bruce

 

[coobie]

The wife and I are early risers 5:30 am.We try to get the bulk of our daily projects/shopping done from 6am-12 noon.Take a 30-45 min. snooze around 2 pm.Head back outside about 4pm to finish what needs to be done unless my old back pain tells me NO.Light supper about 6pm and get ready for bed about 10pm.