How to stay productive in retirement — without feeling like you're still at work

It’s often been said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.”

Are you the person at work everyone counts on to get things done? If so, and if you’ll be retiring soon, you might be looking forward to being a little less busy.

From a to-do list to spending more time with your grandkids — whatever you plan to do in retirement — it’ll be great to do it on your own schedule.

And “schedule” is the key word. Without the structure your job gives you, it’ll be important to maintain some kind of schedule in retirement — one that helps you feel accomplished without feeling like you’re still working. Here are a few tips:

• Keep the big picture in mind

  Managing your time in retirement doesn’t mean you have to account for every minute. It’s more about listing priorities and goals, and then setting out to accomplish them.

• Get your activities on a calendar

  Keeping all your regular activities on a calendar — exercise, volunteer work, socializing with friends — will give you a general framework for how you spend your time. It can help you stay organized while not overextending yourself.

• Keep a list

  Keep a list of the important things you need to tackle. Crossing them off can give you a feeling of accomplishment. And getting your to-dos down on paper or in your phone can help you sleep better as you won’t have to worry about remembering what it is you need to do tomorrow.

• Be flexible with everyday chores

  Unless it bothers you not to have a set day to do certain chores, don’t worry about a rigid schedule for these. A load of laundry here. Sweeping the kitchen floor there. Just do a couple a day. They’ll all get done in the end.

• Find your daily rhythm

  Are you a morning person? Or do you do your best thinking late into the night? Whichever time of day is the best for you to take care of finances, correspondence, etc., go with that. Save routine tasks for other parts of the day.

• Limit your screen time

  TV and the internet can soak up a lot of time. Too much of either can seriously derail daily goals — maybe even long-term ones. Try to set aside specific times to check Facebook or email or watch TV.

• Slow down

  If you were used to being busy at work, you might be tempted to fill your free time with busy work, chores that take valuable time — and that might not even be necessary — without offering any fulfillment. Accept that you don’t have to be busy every minute of the day. That will help you focus on starting the things you want to accomplish — at your own pace.

• Revise your big picture as necessary

  After you’ve been retired for a few months or years, it’s natural that your big picture will need revising. As you check a few goals off your list, update it with new ones and new priorities.

You showed you could get things done in your working years. Now it’s time for your priorities and projects — the things you’ve been longing to start. These tips can help you stay on track to your retirement goals.