We intentional thinkers and planners spend years and decades thinking and concentrating on our life goals.  We steer our energy toward targeting our life’s happiness.  We create plans and track our progress, we work up alternate scenarios, and we basically use project methodology for our life

Yes, we are Laser focused to get to—or toward—our goals.  But then what?  Do you set new goals, or do we shift into a different Lazer mode—a Laz(y)er mode?

A few years ago, I was talking to Justin Root Of Good at CampFI Virginia.  We had both been early retired for a few years and I asked how he spent his days.  His days are substantially different than mine in relation to his multiple children requiring dedicated effort, but during the school day we are both essential “on our own.”

If I recall he mentioned doing some activity or exercise, maybe getting some errands or tasks completed, and the opportunity for doing whatever he wanted with no particular goal in mind.  Hmmm.  Now if the conversation did go as I recall, then my recent posts about the “$lackers” (over-achieving $lackers) seems like it was forecasted years ago in our little conversation.

Do we all need to strive for a purpose?

Do we all need to have goals? 

Can’t we just live each day/week for enjoyment and keep things moving along accordingly?

In the past few days, I’ve done some chores.  I fixed our gate with an adjustment.  I replaced the tub spout that seemed to be a complicated last fall but turned out to be no problem.  I screwed up the toilet paper holder in the bathroom and now have multiple drywall holes that need to be patched (hello YouTube).

But overall, my past week has been all about me doing what I want.  I’ve exercised.  I’ve read articles and some more in my books.  I’ve crafted a little gift for a slacker.  I’ve worked on financial stuff.  I’ve scootered to a surfing festival and lived some of the California lifestyle.  I’ve done whatever I wanted to do.

So, I go back to my original thought.  Have I been Lazy or Lazer Focused on enjoying myself?  Are those the same or different?  If I’m not actively doing something physical (exercise or chores), am I Lazy?

I’m saying Laz(y)er focused is my new Laser target.

I just saw a recent presentation by Justin:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ale11_HU3RI

Following up on my Throttle Up post which included some throttle down thoughts, I then had some whack-a-mole stress (external stress) popping up. 

After I wrote about those life moles, it made me think about the times we have to slow down for the upcoming—or immediate—curves of life.  If I were a graphics person I would put the yellow curvy road caution sign graphic here.   Maybe even the one with a lower speed limit.  (I tend to take those yellow signs as cautionary suggestions since our cars have lowish centers of gravity).

In real life, I see those curves coming—sometimes I plan for them WAY too far in advance—and I prepare, and I slow down, and I process the management of the “road” ahead as best I can for what I see and estimate.

It’s not a bad thing to prepare for future issues.  It’s not a bad thing to have a plan for these issues or a plan B.  I feel the problem lies if we dwell on the “what if” and that worry impacts our present.

Progressing or Slowing

So, in the previous post, I wrote how the boat would slow and sink into the water as I throttled down.  It’s quite similar to when I retire for the evening and get into bed where I tend to sink into my memory foam mattress the longer I stay immobile.  (did you like my “retire” usage there?)

The correlation between  life’s movement and activities seems so much the same.  As we stay active and do things, we are cruising around, the wind in our hair (for some of us).  If we slow down into the couch, we tend to sink more.  Even more interesting is that the more we use the couch, the softer the cushions get, and the farther down we sink.  At some point, it will become very difficult to get up from our lazy position.

SloGo Test Run

I think about the covid lockdowns for many and how life slowed or even stopped for people.  How energy and social connections crashed.  Crashed may be a harsh term.  Maybe they just came to an abrupt stop.

I think about the SloGo and NoGo years.  There will be a significant transition from the GoGo years into less active stages of life.  If all goes well, this will happen over time, little by little.  Unfortunately, for some people, a life crisis can force an immediate change in life activity—in life speed.

Enjoying and Awareness

I guess my whole point is that life speed changes over time.  The speed change can occur in many ways.  It seems to me that we should be very cognizant of this/these upcoming changes so we can make sure to get the most out of our life.  This is still true, even if someone is very cautious and risk-averse, and always preparing for something bad.

Your life will throttle down in the future naturally.  I’m suggesting that maybe we just try and lower our speed a little over time and still push to keep the wind flowing through our hair.

*** 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.