When EML started Colin was an early ‘client’. His ‘first career’, in the oil industry, ended with an industry downturn and he was looking at ‘what next’. Having seen the light, he now works ‘flat out’ doing all the things he enjoys but will still need to live to at least 120 – just to complete all the adventures he has planned! Every now and then in his busy schedule he finds time to share some thoughts on what he has learned – such as this.

In my job it was important to keep abreast of developments, in fact it was essential to comply with safety improvements in an industry handling highly flammable products under pressure.
This involved using Best Practice techniques, and benchmarking against how other parts of the industry operated.
This was in fact a legal requirement after tragedies such a the UK’s worst offshore disaster, the Piper Alpha platform explosion which killed almost 200 people, and which heralded dramatic changes to legislation of both the design, and operation, of these “villages” in the middle of the North Sea.

So in retirement I look at how people embrace change, – or don’t. I have friends who are at the forefront, maybe even driving change and I like to use them as my benchmarks. Equally I have dear friends who have always done things a certain way.
I enjoy caravanning, and caravans have evolved a lot recently. I saw some of the latest technologies at the NEC caravan show. One friend has decided to ditch his old van to enjoy some of the newer toys on offer; but another has an older van still with some good features, but he doesn’t use them, for example the hot water system, preferring to take his washing up across the site to the communal sinks (like he’s always done), and has never used the onboard shower either. It’s like having a new car and keeping the plastic seat covers on so the next owner enjoys them.
I look for Best Practice also, and in caravanning this can be how to minimise effort and maximise enjoyment, such as looking at how some experienced people fill their water containers with the least effort, instead of making work for themselves as others seem to.
This also extends into making the most of the diminishing time available for these activities, and thinking more about what you want to spend your time doing – instead of maybe what you’ve always done.
Who knows, you may change your mind?