Yeah, having freedom, being independent, flexibility to choose, gratituding, they’re all benefits of FIRE.
FIRE allows the person(s) to pursue their passion and dive into something they love, or many things they love. But what if someone’s not diving in? What if a person is just looking at the water, or sticking their toe in? Is this FIRE person fully utilizing the time they have garnered?
Tiiiiimmee
I recently posted about having/wanting All the Time. I said I didn’t want to be bound by appointments and commitments. I didn’t want to have to be somewhere or doing something at a specific time. I didn’t want the hassle associated with “things” like that. Yeah, it’s all about me.
Well, it’s also quite possible that a lack of schedule, structure, and even passions leads to a lack of any sort of accomplishment by each evening, or worse, each week as a whole.
I want to make sure I “do” something each day. I’m also targeting doing two or more accomplishments each day. Deux, Dos, etc. I’m just focusing on each day.
There is no way I could ever commit, or follow, the daily theme model for a week. The thought of trying to do the same type of activity (family, learn, household, volunteer, etc) for an entire day is so far from fathomable it’s laughable.
I am working on (which means “considering” and possibly attempting to) creating timeslots in my days for the many different activities I’m interested in doing/accomplishing.
Tool Strategy
Google Keep, Google Calendar, and Google Tasks let me organize and track my thoughts. Note: I use google so I can type interests into (older-man style) my PC, rather than on my phone. I can view or edit these items anywhere. Continuity is wonderful.
Categories
Health Chores Tasks Errands Money Work Learn Music Read Help Hide, become proficient with music recording, learn more foreign language words (not learn “a” language—whom I kidding), learn more technical skills, figure out a long-term Roth conversion strategy, do more sporting adventures, etc. There is so much I strive for.
Commitment, not
I think I’ll target a loose structure of two things per day. This will allow me the opportunity to go beyond two and say “I did THREE things today,”—overachiever. “Three things today” will qualify me as a fully retired person. Actually, that would qualify as a busy and successful fully-retired person, at least from my count. Under-promise and over-deliver.
*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.
Thanks Kevin. As usual, a good and thought-provoking post. It resonates especially because it keeps things simple and achievable without compromising flexibility or opportunities for spontaneity. For me, those are two hugely important considerations when spending the limited currency of Time.
An approach I sometimes use that’s sort of akin to your “deux, dos” is “you, me, sometimes we” (in various order). “You”: trying to do something/anything, however small, for someone else each day. Like the “good turn daily” idea, especially good when there’s zero expectation for recognition of the deed. “Me”: something fun, worthwhile, developmental, healthy, etc. just for me each day to grow a little and appreciate, honor and be grateful for my blessings. And finally “(sometimes) We”: something with another person that we share/talk about/do together. This keeps the common experience, bonding, etc. alive and well.
Thanks again for your much-appreciated sharing, prompting and openness!
I think your ideas are perfect. I have so much bettering (to do) I could do. I’m always thinking. I love the concept of trying to do 3 nice things for others each day, but I find that hard when I’m not out in public much. I still strive for Health, Happiness and HELPING. Making others days better is a wonderful opportunity.