PRODUCTIVE TIME WASTING

If you're anything like me, you spend a lot of time playing games on your computer or mobile phone. If you're less techno, it might be solitaire or jigsaws. I love doing this but I always feel a little bit guilty when I've finished. My thoughts are usually based around "I could have been doing .... instead". Well I may have the answer.

Next time you reach for the mouse / cellphone / jigsaw or pack of cards consider doing one of the following instead. The important point is that you can do them all sitting down in your favourite comfy place.

1. (My favourite). Stage 1: Make a list of jobs which you need to do. This could be a lengthy list and might well include some of the items below but don't despair as the list grows because next we have - Stage 2: Prioritise your list. This makes you feel a whole lot better as you push some of the jobs into the background.

2. Organise your photos. Sort them out, discard some, stick them in albums, label them and while you're doing it, think of how much the kids will appreciate your efforts after you drop off the perch. Last Christmas, my wife made individual photo albums for the kids showing them at various stages of growing up. They both said these were the best presents they'd ever had.

3. Make a meal plan for the week. This has nothing to do with diets or healthy eating (unless you want it to), just have fun thinking ahead to what you'd like to eat each day. Give some thought to being a little more adventurous when you know you will have more time available and don't be afraid to include take-aways.

4. Write letters. This is so much fun as an activity and the recipients will love you for it. Consider slipping some of those photos in with the letter too. I have a relative who lives in Australia who sends me wonderful letters and he always sticks something inside - last time it was a Kookaburra feather!

5. Write down some of your memories. make sure you buy a special book or journal for this. think of it as a sort of diary set in the past.

If you do some of these I can pretty much guarantee that you'll feel you've really achieved something with your time. Anyway..... back to my game of solitaire.

RETIREMENT RULES

Sometimes I think that my life has just been a preparation for the retirement which I'm currently enjoying. I looked forward to it and started to plan for it early. The amazing thing is that its even better than I hoped it would be and life isn't usually like that.

I know there are many people, my dear wife amongst them, who do not look forward to their retirement. Such people enjoy their working lives and see retirement as an end rather than as a beginning. I completely understand that. What I hope to do here, is to show what makes my retirement such a pleasure in the hope that it might enable others to approach it with less trepidation. The rules are in order of importance. I recommend a jackdaw approach.....just pick out the bits which you like the sound of!

One caveat...there may be times when despite my best efforts, I sound like some sort of saint. Those who know me would fall about laughing at such a notion.

Rule 1: Sort out your health
Sounds pretty obvious doesn't it? You're no use to yourself or others if you're unfit so sort it. Need to lose some weight? There are no excuses now - just do it. (I shed about 15 pounds). Then keep fit by whatever method takes your fancy. In my case I do tennis on Mondays, Pilates on Wednesdays and table-tennis on Fridays plus a bit of walking.
THE PEARL - KEEP FIT

Rule 2: Sort out your relationship
If you are lucky enough to have a significant other, plan your retirement activities around time which is ring-fenced for them. Obviously, if they can join you in the activities that's a bonus but if they fancy a day out and you can't do it because you need to attend a committee meeting at your bee-keeping club it is a recipe for disaster.
THE PEARL - MAKE TIME FOR YOUR PARTNER

Rule 3: Sort out your soul
I was a teacher of kids with special needs during which time I developed skills which I have found I can still use. Firstly, I volunteer crew for a charity which runs two large canal boats and who offer free day trips for disabled groups - both kids and adults. I love boating (see below) so this is a great source of pleasure for me and has the bonus of helping disadvantaged members of society. Secondly, I am training as a 'befriender' at a local children's hospice. Early days but I am going to have fun doing this. Finally, I teach older people how to use their computers - something I'm good at.
THE PEARL - GIVE SOMETHING BACK

Rule 4: Sort out your mind
Margaret Drabble, the author, said 'Jigsaws are very therapeutic...they cure - like a lot of games'. Jigsaws aren't my thing but crosswords are. The world is your oyster here - you are spoilt for choice. Read, keep up with the news (so that you have an opinion), do puzzles. Basically do anything which keeps your mind alert.
THE PEARL - KEEP MENTALLY SHARP

Rule 5: Sort out your social life
Keeping contact with people means you can talk, swap ideas, learn, teach and generally communicate. Communication is a life-line. There are plenty of ways to get involved with people by joining local interest groups, clubs etc. In these Internet days you don't even have to leave your house! I play bridge regularly and also belong to a darts league.
In my career I developed management skills and now I put them to good use by running a boating group. There is a pool of 30 or so and I organise boat hire and get a crew of 10 or so together every couple of months. Everyone has fun and its a great way to socialise.
THE PEARL - USE PEOPLE AS A RESOURCE

Rule 6: Sort out your interests
I'm talking about hobbies here. In my view, the point about hobbies is that you should be able to pick them up and put them down at will. This way, they are useful as time-fillers whenever you have a spare moment. So they keep boredom at bay. In my case apart from the things already mentioned, I collect stamps (I keep them on a shelf by my anorak).
I have also developed a great interest in Ancestry. Whilst it is fun to trace your roots way back in time, I've found it even better to trace living cousins who I didn't know existed. I have met some of them. I must say that they are all doing a great job of making out that they were pleased to have been discovered! I have put some of them in touch with each other which is very satisfying and I am planning a big gathering for the 100+ relatives I've found which will take place next year (2010).
THE PEARL - DEVELOP SOME HOBBIES (BOREDOM BASHERS)

Rule 7: Sort out your creativity
'But I'm not creative' I hear you say. Rubbish. Do you cook? Create your own recipes and write them up as a personal cookbook. Create a lovely garden. Knit. Paint or draw. Make up photo albums with captions to leave behind you when you fall off the perch. In my case, I'm a frustrated writer. Inspired by Samuel Pepys, I keep a journal. I am also a keen letter writer - and I write long, boring blogs...........
THE PEARL - HAVE A WORD WITH THE ARTIST WITHIN