Availability Boundaries

Most of the time when we hear the word budget in conversation, our minds go to money – how   it is to be allocated, spent, contributed, and deposited (our favorite)! Today, I’d like you to apply it to time. When we think about retirement, we envision all the time in the world, which really translates into what we know as unstructured time. After all, many of us retirees are not working and many are working less, so just look at us luxuriating in those extra minutes or hours every week! You’ve earned that freedom and flexibility; it’s your precious time now!

And that brings us exactly to my point today. Your time (now, really your time) remains valuable! You need to treat it like the treasure that it is! This is a personal decision of which you are in control. Your time need not be offered at a discount, never mind free – unless that is your intention!

So, how do we do that?

While most of us daydream about lazing around with no commitments or deadlines once we are retired, we are less annoyed with ourselves for frittering away our time if we design and structure our time to suit our needs. Establishing your availability boundaries as you approach retirement would be ideal. Map out reasonable parameters for your own needs and wants. Convenience for the sake of others is a factor to be determined by you. Can you afford to give up your time? How much time can you comfortably give to others – without resentment? Will it be every day? Twice a week? Spontaneously? Or not at all? As an example, some of us embrace the opportunity to care for grandchildren periodically but not every day. For others, you just left your full-time job, and you don’t want another!   Carefully consider what your priorities are. Remember, in addition to free time, flexibility is another perk of retirement. Flexibility is also the key to happiness! Protect your assets!

So, how can you protect your assets?

It comes down to planning activities, mapping adventures, selecting events and prioritizing commitments. How can you achieve these goals? While some folks have gone digital and use their smartphones, others love their old school paper planners. Use the system that works best for you to enter lunch dates with friends, due dates for bills and library books and appointments for medical and financial consultations. Healthy boundaries become automatic when you keep a running list of things that are non-negotiable – working with a trainer, volunteering with your church, attending family celebrations, traveling at certain times of year. As a result of your planning, these items can be penciled in on your calendar, and your time remains in your control – most of the time.