Retirement Tips for Someone who is Hopelessly an Engineer!

The author worked as a chemical engineer in plant operations for 43 years.

TIP #1 – Continue to Write-up Daily

DO:  Since you had a daily logbook write-up for 25-30 years, continue to do so in retirement.  Call it a journal, a diary, or a logbook but write up what you do on a daily basis.

DON’T: Ask your spouse to read and initial the write-up!

TIP #2 – Keep a Datasheet

DO:  Fill out a datasheet daily.  It really doesn’t matter what you data you keep (think about all the non-essential data you were asked to maintain at work).  For starters, enter the day, date, ambient temperature, atmospheric conditions, biometrics such as weight, blood pressure, and pulse rate.  Expand to include exercise regiment, etc.

DON’T:  Keep biometrics on spouse!

TIP #3 – Maintain Production Records

DO:  Maintain production records for your hobby.  It doesn’t matter if you walk, run, bike, golf, or garden.  Keep records of the number of miles walked, number of holes per week of golf, or number of pints of produce from your garden.

DON’T:  Maintain production records on spouse (such as cumulative number of home cooked meals, etc.)!

TIP #4 – Monitor your Email Account

DO:  Read your emails daily.  Keep essential emails (these will be few and far between in retirement) and delete the rest UNREAD.

DON’T:  Feel the need to read and definitely don’t respond to all emails.

TIP #5 – Accept your Role

DO:  Think deeply about current events.  Work diligently to expand your  circle.  Seek out those with different opinions or perspectives.  Be quick to listen AND SLOW TO SPEAK.  Remember, no one is paid to value your opinion any longer.

DON’T:  Feel the need to voice your opinion on every subject.  Retiring after 40+ years on the job does not make you an expert on contagious diseases or race relations or international affairs.

Good Luck and Happy Retirement!