Do you remember “Efficiency Experts”? Back in the late 1970’s the insurance brokerage firm I worked for hired several of them to evaluate its employees and the operation in general. I remember being interviewed about what I did on a daily basis and then asked if I had suggestions to improve the quality and flow of my work day. I approached the process with some skepticism as did most of my colleagues but we cooperated and waited for the big changes to come down the pike. No big changes were made as a result of the study. I wonder how much the company paid for it?
I’m not even sure if these people still exist today. I did some research. I believe they currently fall under the heading of “Business Consultant”. I am not here today to tout the benefits of hiring efficiency experts. On the contrary, I am here to say that in most areas of your life, efficiency is the last thing you need!
Efficiency is defined as “the accomplishment of or ability to accomplish a job with a minimum expenditure of time and effort”. Very valuable in business, right? No argument there. However, as a retired person, I see very little value in living my life efficiently. Am I wrong?
Being retired means managing your own time, all the time. I do have commitments to others where time matters because someone else’s time is being spent as well as mine. However, when it’s just me, doing things that I love and I am alone – who wants to be efficient? I don’t!
Example, waking up in the morning. Some of you probably jump out of bed early to get your day started. I don’t do that anymore. When I wake up, I stay in bed for a a minimum of ten minutes and ease my way into the day. I cherish my ability to control my own time and as a rule I don’t want to worry about it!
How long it takes me to write, to read a book, grocery shop, to go to the gym and work out, to clean house, to watch something unproductive and of questionable value on TV – is not only of little importance to me now but watching the clock makes me crabby! I resent having to be somewhere at a certain time. It is annoying to this lady of leisure!
I do have tasks, even fun hobbies where time is important. I do those with great love and appreciation. But my most favorite times are where time isn’t important or measured. It is very freeing. It is one of the best benefits of being retired.
I rarely wear a watch anymore and when I do, it serves as a piece of jewelry, not a timepiece. I only look at the clock occasionally. Who cares? I know many of you will disagree because you still pay attention to time, even when retired. Good for you! I did way too much of that when I was in the corporate world. It doesn’t suit my life style any longer and that feels wonderful.
Efficiency has tremendous value. When you are retired, it has less value. You get to decide the importance it plays in your life. I would only suggest that you leave most of it at your old workplace. Go ahead, waste some time! You’ve earned it! :))