Time Management 101: Getting it all Done
Tips for Busy Seniors
Whether one is newly retired, about to retire, or a long-time retiree, here are a few tips to keep as organized as possible for what may be the busiest time of one's life.
For Linda Richards, professional organizer and owner of Organize and More in Gainesville, this is a common refrain among her clients.
"I've heard many Seniors state to me, 'I'm busier now than I've ever been in my entire life!'" Richards said.SET BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM GOALS FOR RETIREMENT
"Most people don't plan ahead of time for what they'll do once they retire, and thus many have a difficult time adjusting to retirement," Richards said.
Ed Dickson, of Ocala, retired in 2007 from a career in retail, not knowing exactly what he was going to do, but he did take some time early on to find out. He has since adopted a full schedule of activities, including volunteering and community service.
"Particularly early in retirement, I think it's important to plan and to set goals for what you want to do and how you would like to spend your time, so you will have the pleasure of knowing and experiencing things that are important to you," Dickson said. "Otherwise, you may find that what you did wasn't as important or fulfilling as you had hoped."
When his wife, Fran, retired from teaching in 2002, she already had a long list of things she wanted to do.
"And the list just keeps expanding," Fran said.
KEEP A CALENDAR
"My organizing clients often say, 'I don't go to work anymore so I don't need a calendar,' yet they are frustrated because they've missed a lunch date with a friend or forgotten a doctor's appointment," Richards said. "They are still doing work -- as a volunteer, as a grandparent, as a community activist. Thus, a calendar and a simple to-do list keeps them from missing appointments and helps them feel more in control of their lives."
Richards recommended keeping the calendar and to-do list together, in the same place, all the time.
"First thing in the morning, plan the top three to five priorities and/or appointments that you want to complete that day," she said.
Richards also recommended reviewing the upcoming week (each Sunday), to be reminded of any special appointments (i.e., bringing an appetizer to bridge club on Thursday).
"Even if you don't go to a paying job anymore, you do have a busy life," she said. "A calendar and a to-do list will help you better manage it, and use each day to its best advantage."
Fran Dickson stressed the importance of keeping the calendar with a spouse or significant other to minimize conflicts.
Ed Dickson uses a desk calendar to keep up with his scheduled activities and appointments. He also carries a pocket-sized calendar with him at all times.
MAKE LISTS
Ocala residents Mark and Pat Croft retired in July 1999.
Croft said his wife keeps a small day-planner, as she has many more appointments than he does. She is the social secretary for the couple and she uses her Day-Timer to keep track of their commitments.
He prefers using an electronic spreadsheet for making lists.
"With a spreadsheet I can make the list, add or subtract from it, prioritize the items, sort it and print it," Croft said. "I can also delete items when they are completed, add new items to it, re-prioritize, sort again and print it without starting from scratch. It saves a lot of time and work."
He uses the back of an envelope or a pocketsize spiral notepad for his daily to-do list.
"We are the king and queen of list makers," Croft said. "We make lists of what we need to do and then when it's all done we make a list of how to do it better next time."
PRIORITIZE AND RE-PRIORITIZE GOALS AND LISTS
Reevaluate goals and lists often. What was important last month, or even yesterday, may not be as important today.
LEARN TO SAY NO
Retirees often fall prey to over-commitment. Richards advised learning how to say 'no.' If this is a challenge, she suggested practicing ahead of time.
"Have a friend call you and ask you to serve on the board of a community service organization," Richards said. "Practice saying, 'No, I'm sorry, I'd love to be involved, but with the many things I'm already doing right now, I could not do a quality job like I'd want to do. Thanks for thinking about me, though!'"
Richards said to remember that every time you say 'no' to something that is not a priority in your life, you are saying 'yes' to something that is a high priority.
"And you will enjoy not being exhausted everyday by saying 'yes' to too many things," she said.
PLAN OUT EACH DAY
Retirees, Richards said, sometimes have an unrealistic idea about time management because they no longer go to a job, and they feel they should be able to accomplish everything they want to do during the day, but when they do not, they feel unproductive -- even though they have been busy all day.
"Use your daily planning session to focus on finding and making time to work on those top three to five priorities on your to-do list," Richards said. "Fill in less important priorities in the little moments that open up during your day. That way, your main focus and energies will be used toward accomplishing your top priorities. This will allow you to fill your day with meaningful, worthwhile projects, and help you to feel more productive at the end of each day." §
Diane Shepard is a writer and Mama to two young children. Her next work in progress is a memoir "Keeping Time with Turtles." diane@towerpublications.com
