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Episode 913 Staying Focused
This is Retirement Talk. I'm Del Lowery.
I’ve titled this episode, “Staying Focused”.
Oh, don't cry. Look what's over here. Look at this. What is that? The crying stops. The baby's attention is redirected. We grandparents all know that trick. We pick it up and hold it close, we walk into a different room. We look out the window or where something is sitting on a shelf. The attention shifts.
It isn't easy to focus. The computer's too handy, along with a radio, TV, cell phone, and the MP3 player. Then there are the coffee shops, shopping malls, sports fields, running trails, movie theaters and air travel that will move us from surfing to skiing. It's just not easy to keep focused. As a matter of fact, as I composed this podcast, a radio plays in the background. It's a talk show that is discussing Jimmy Hendrix's rendition of the Star Spangled banner. It's distracting. I must pause the writing. I have to listen. He really gives new meaning to that piece of music.
Back to the podcast, how can we stay focused or even get focused on something we really want to do? This is where priorities come in. We have to establish them with careful thought and approach them with dedicated effort. This is a real problem for retired folks. When we are in the workforce, our attention is focused by the job we hold, our boss, or market demands.
We can say that we are lawyers, mechanics, or store clerks. We mean that the main block of time in our life is dedicated to the job. we have priorities at least in that respect we retired people have to establish priorities without this common anchor. We choose what to do with our lives in a very busy world. It's a matter of over choice. We tend to spin in circles, pull this direction or that. The whole world is after us to buy, try or come. We either chase our tail or sit still in a chair and let the world move outside the window. In face of over choice, many of us hide and become recluses.
For me, priorities are basic to movement. We have to know where we want to go, then we can go there. Every parent knows this. That's why we try to redirect the attention of the babies once they start crawling. We see them headed for the vase or the pots and pans, or the electric cords. We pick them up and say, “Oh, look what's over here”. We turned their attention to something else, something good by our standards.
I'm not the kind of guy who can keep focused very long on any one thing. I need some rules concerning priorities to help keep me on the track. When we retired, I thought about this, and a list emerged, not a long one. I can even remember it: family, friends, health or exercise, music, and community over the 30 odd years, these five priorities have served me well. I try to include them in my daily schedule. If I don't, they tend to get sliding, or are soon missing completely. I need a little forced balance in my life. I don't like to skip. My days have been broken down into phases that allow for all to flourish. Tai chian exercise at the opening of each day provide for health, followed by just a bit of reading for mental health. Then it's a couple of hours of music, followed by an hour of biking or rowing, something physical. The afternoons are then free for community involvement. This is when I can work on projects. This podcast being the current one. Over the last few years, I've learned what is needed to build and operate a recording studio, construct a website and put together a podcast. I'm not computer inclined by nature. As a matter of fact, I'm reluctant to read directions, follow step by step, or remember where I have been or how I might return to that specific place. All of these attributes are necessary for computer literacy. It's been a struggle, but by knowing that I wanted to create a podcast and staying aimed in that direction, it has become a reality. I seem to always find someone who can come over and straighten me out when I get in a bind. My son or granddaughter, a friend or a class at the community college or even a computer specialist from the yellow pages.
Of course, that still leaves lots of hours in each day for family, friends, coffee shops and serendipity. The importance of priorities don't change much from when we were babies approaching kitchen cupboards, and electrical outlets. We just changed direction a bit. It's the direction that must be kept in mind.
We need to know what we really value and where we want to go. It is easy to be drawn off course by television, other people's suggestions or lack of plans. Perhaps life without clear priorities is preferable, accept whatever happens, sort of Zen like, drift with the wind or the open road. I'm sure there's much to be said for that kind of life, but it's not for me. It's a matter of priorities. This is Retirement Time.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions contact del@retirementtalk.org
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from. A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops. Copyright 2010 RetirementTalk.org |
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