PP – Positively Putzing or Pareto Principle?)

‍ As I write this title with lots of ‘P’s, Positively Putzing or Pareto Principle? my mind takes me to an iconic scene from the movie Animal House where nasty Neidermeyer is inspecting his new ROTC recruits, including the dorky Dorfman.  Neidermeyer, with his face an inch from Dorfman’s, his mouth full of spittle, utters, “and take off that pledge pin!”   Juicily emphasizing the ‘P’s if you catch my drift.  Anyway, I digress.

I am currently coming to grips with role changes that come with aging, in the context of an ever-evolving lake cabin.  In my 30s and 40s, I partnered with my retired father-in-law to transform a cabin into a lake home.  Without discussion, over time, the responsibility for planning and execution of the major phases were passed to me and my father-in-law seamlessly assumed the time-consuming tasks necessary for completion.

I will use a garage stall addition as an example of the role shift.  I coordinated the necessary permits, supplies, and laborers.   The grunt work to dig and prep for the concrete install and do the construction of the new stall were done over a couple of long tiring weekends as the laborers/friends weren’t retired so weekends were the only option.  To be honest, this phase of a construction project is terribly rewarding as great visible progress is made quickly.  The Pareto Principle would say 80% of the job would be done in 20% of the total time. 

So, how about the other 20% of the job, the 20% that takes 80% of the time?  The siding and trim, the staining, the eaves and fascia – the beautifying, time-consuming, and detail-oriented tasks?  You guessed it – my father-in-law.  By the time the group went up the following weekend to shingle the new roof, the new stall was sided, stained, and trimmed out.  My father-in-law, with talent and time, completed the time consuming and detail-oriented actions.  The 20% that took 80% of the total time.  The Pareto Principle is action.

As I near retirement, I am facing the reality of aging and the necessity to pass the torch and the need for a responsible person to take it.  It’s hard on the ego, it’s hard to admit I don’t have the energy and strength I once had, but its also wonderful to know that I will have the time to positively putz, to use my available time and talents to complete the 20% that takes 80% of the time.