I've been retired for several years now. I have adjusted to staying up late and sleeping in. I do my grocery shopping when the rest of the world is at work. I never go to Costco on the weekend. When I travel I'm not limited to holidays or summer vacations. I know how fortunate I am to live a relatively stress-free life. I can't remember the last time I used the alarm clock. This blissful existence changed last week when the school superintendent contacted me.
In my pre-retirement life as a school administrator I had great success in securing some big grants for the school district. Grant writing was like a hobby for me. Most of the grants were written in my spare time at home, usually while I was watching TV. Grant writing was fairly stress-free because no one was paying me to do it or counting on the funding to keep a program operating. If I won a grant it was like winning the lottery...a lucky break. I got a reputation in the area as the go to person for writing grants.
When I first retired I tinkered with the idea of freelancing as a grant writer. I even took on a project with a neighboring school district. That effort was not funded and I realized that I really didn't want to start a business and market my skills. I like to dabble and pick and choose my projects.
So, last week the superintendent asked for my help in securing grants for a project at our high school. I went to a meeting and got excited about the concept. I met with the superintendent and hammered out terms. All of a sudden I was employed . This past week I actually had to be places at a specific time. I had to go to meetings. And last Wednesday I drove 400 miles to hand deliver a grant application to a foundation to meet their submission deadline (really, have they not heard about the Internet?)
It's probably an ideal situation for me. I work my own hours and most of the time I can wear pajamas, except when I have to go to meetings! The downside if I am not successful in securing grant funding, is public failure....I'm feeling the pressure!
This evening I attended one of the committee meetings. The athletic director gave me a grant application for a grant that is a good match for our project. The catch? It's due in two days! We are leaving tomorrow for three days camping in the RV at the Deschutes River. Good thing I can do my new job anywhere. I'll get the writing done lounging around camp and when I'm ready to post the application (this foundation has an online application) I will ride my bike to Biggs Junction where there is a McDonalds with Internet.
I better go get my pajamas on and get started...I've got a job to do!
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Good luck with securing those grants, with the tight economy, you have your work cut out for you. I'm so happy this work fits well with your life style. Sounds like a win-win to me!!
ReplyDeleteYou make me feel fortunate, again, not to have to try to fit a job into my life these days. After I had been retired a year, my old boss talked me into doing a project for him. That was enough to make me realize I don't want to do it any more, whatever it might pay! I hope you enjoy being employed again and keep me posted.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to be retired and have a job you love. I do, and know the feeling. So, enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I find it very difficult to use my compter out of doors -- I can't make out the screen! Anyway, hope you can still enjpy your holiday and thank goodness for those places with free wifi!
ReplyDeleteIt's only work if you have to put your jammies on to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have figured out a perfect balance between work and relaxation. We should all be so fortunate. Of course I'm wearing pajamas as I write this.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part of freelancing is marketing yourself, finding the work. So if this is falling into your lap . . . you are lucky (and probably good, too). Plus, you are contributing to your community. So you've got the best of both worlds. Just, you know, don't stress out about it.
ReplyDeleteYou can get into this second career slowly, slowly, slowly.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a terrific position, even if there's a little pressure I'm sensing you're really good at it and will do so well. There's nothing like working from anywhere you happen to be - home, vacation, etc. Enjoy the work and the trip!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an ideal job for a retiree. Just pace yourself; or, you'll feel the old aches and pains again.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. You can pick the time you work, and the amount of time you want to work, so what's not to love about that? I agree with Rosaria that you will need to make sure you pace yourself so you aren't overloaded and stressed. If you still love doing this, why shouldn't you? I do understand the part about not wanting not get the grant, but remember, that who gets funded does not always depend on who wrote the best grant or who had the greatest need.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! I love to work in my pajamas, in fact I do my best work (planning and research) in the early morning hours. Unfortunately, I also still have to get showered, dressed and face a classroom of kids in a couple weeks. Sigh . . .
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the fun extras you can do with this "windfall" of employment!
You poor thing, interesting work, at your own time, with a bit of prestige attached, in your jammies, and you probably even get paid for it. Some people have it hard.
ReplyDeleteYou sound really happy about this new career where the dress code involves loose flannel and wild hair. I don't know many people who think writing grants is fun. I'll bet you could work full time at this if you were so inclined. :-)
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