Volunteering

A lot of people who volunteer while working have a great focus that they can extend forward to their life after work. Besides giving them a network of people with similar interests and motivations, it can add a lot to life.

You might consider what you want your volunteer life to look like. Do you want to do a couple of hours a week? Or, do you want most of your time free and then work on a few big projects for a few weeks a year?

For example, you might work on a fund-raising event that requires a great deal of management skills and much commitment as the event approaches. The satisfaction from this work is something that money cannot buy. However, this event only happens once a year, and for the balance of the year you aren't actively involved with the organization.

Others take a less high profile approach. They might volunteer two hours a week at a bird santuary. The assume one small job and do it well. They help keep that volunteer organization running. The small job adds some structure to life but is not a huge commitment of energy.

Either way, making a difference in areas that you feel are vital to a good society or way of life adds to your life.

M.