Getting Older and Slower

[Retroelectric]

Hi everyone.
I’m now 50 and find myself taking twice as long doing things that in my head should not be taking as long.
Not sure if it’s an age thing or a state of mind I also find myself double checking things more.
I know I may be comparing to my younger self, who was bought up on a diet of local authority occupied rewires and Bovis new builds, where speed was more of a priority than anything else.
I would now rather do a nice neat job rather than the fast that will do one.
Anyone else notice a slowdown or becoming more conscientious as the years go by?

 

[Moley]

Not just slower but everything gets harder (well, nearly everything!) as you get older. I just wish I was a youngster like you ;-) Just spent the day clambering over scaffolding taking out 3 400kV bushings.

 

[MDJ]

yep I can bearly get myself off the floor these days when I sit on it to connect something up in a cupboard or under a sink etc, we just forget at times just how old we are getting

 

[James]

Agree with all the above, whilst the brain is still functioning at full speed, it tells my body to do the same.
then after a couple of hours working at that pace, the body is complaining and the brain has to reduce the speed of work.

unfortunately the complaints seem to carry on right through to bed time and just turning over in bed seems like hard work at times.
if I have been really optimistic in my fitness the previous day, the next day will definitely be a long slow plod.

 

[littlespark]

Slowing down is just a sign that you choose your jobs more carefully.

A smart spark knows running about is silly these days, and is dragging the trade down to cheaper labour.
We should charge what we are worth, not how fast we can work.


Health wise, I’m still pretty good at 50, but after my dads recent trip to A&E, it’s given my brother and me a kick up the arse to get things checked out before they might develop into something more serious.

Can’t hold drink like I used to….. but that’s not a bad thing.
Thumb knuckle joint cracks sometimes, sore knee sometimes…. And I’ve lost a toe nail through a charity walk a few years ago.



I’d say that my generation at 50 is in a better condition than the previous generation was at the same age.
We’re more cautious about our health now… less people smoking being a big thing…. And more technology in the workspace meaning actually less manual labour which can lead to injury.



I tried doing some sit-ups recently, and my daughter thought I was having a heart attack with all the noises I was making.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I'm at the age now sqeeking and body acheing, just like the tin man off the wizard of oz, If I'm on the floor and can't get up, I use a stick or a OAP to lift me up.

 

[oscar21]

I'm still doing ok at 53, just today I squeezed through a trap and crawled round a wet sub floor without any problem. The hardest bit was physically fitting in the hole, thats becoming more of a problem just lately. However I do find now by 3PM I'm ready for home, gone are the days of working until 6 or 7 o'clock every night.

 

[Doomed]

Nearing retirement and have given up working for myself as it was getting just too tiring and taken a job with a housing association, no pressure, limited paperwork, nice and easy slow down to when I eventually stop.

 

[pirate]

Regular exercise is very important...
I ran twice yesterday.
First I ran out of beer,then I ran out to get some more

Seriously though, I occasionaly help out an electrician and we both prefer to keep going to finish a job even if it means a full day and not finishing til 6 or 7pm and occasionally a bit later. However I can only manage 2 days a week, partly because I didn't retire to go to work and have other things to do, and partly because my tired, nearly 70 year old body doesn't recover from ladders and lofts like it used to.
I play some tennis and golf occasionally and head to the gym a couple of times a week (sometimes I even go in!)

For me, it's all about pacing things out and if I feel I've overdone things I just resort to a gentle walk most days. I have to confess, I do really struggle to motivate myself sometimes, and as Winter approaches I will not relish the cold, frost, defrosting the car in the dark...nope, I go into hibernation mode.

 

[oscar21]

I soke too soon, my back went today whilst finishing the roof on my extension. getting off a roof and down a 2 storey ladder is no fun at all.

Even worse was I had to get back up again to show my mate where the tiles went back to make it water tight.

 

[Megawatt]

Hi everyone.
I’m now 50 and find myself taking twice as long doing things that in my head should not be taking as long.
Not sure if it’s an age thing or a state of mind I also find myself double checking things more.
I know I may be comparing to my younger self, who was bought up on a diet of local authority occupied rewires and Bovis new builds, where speed was more of a priority than anything else.
I would now rather do a nice neat job rather than the fast that will do one.
Anyone else notice a slowdown or becoming more conscientious as the years go by?

I’ll be 67 this year and I tell my customers that I don’t charge by the hour because they wouldn’t like my pace. I also work a maximum of 4 hours a day starting at 8:00 am and going home at 12:00 pm. It’s correct saying that in your mind you can still work like you was in your 30’s but your body says otherwise.

 

[TimJ01]

Hi everyone.
I’m now 50 and find myself taking twice as long doing things that in my head should not be taking as long.
Not sure if it’s an age thing or a state of mind I also find myself double checking things more.
I know I may be comparing to my younger self, who was bought up on a diet of local authority occupied rewires and Bovis new builds, where speed was more of a priority than anything else.
I would now rather do a nice neat job rather than the fast that will do one.
Anyone else notice a slowdown or becoming more conscientious as the years go by?

Unfortunately, mate, this is what happens when you get old. Its a natural thing, don't panic about it

 

[Yellowhammer]

I'm not old (yet) I don't think, but would say I am slower than a lot because I try and take pride in my work. I don't want to just throw a new board on the wall and get it done as quickly as possible. I want to walk away knowing (or at least hoping) the next person who opens it up will think it's a quality job, not groan and wonder who on earth did it.

As also referenced above, this is a skilled job, with ultimately a lot of responsibility. The rate things are evolving it's a lot to stay on top of. I do not believe we get paid enough as it is, let along enough to work 12 hours a day at full chat, which I inevitably do currently.. I try to still charge accordingly for my time none the less.