All my life I have lived in the fast lane. When I was 26 I led a remarkable community activity that involved over six thousand people each week. In praise of what happened, the local newspaper wrote an editorial about my efforts entitled “The Human Dynamo”.
In different forms that level of activity was repeated over the next forty years. A time and motion study was made of my activities many years ago and its conclusion staggered me. For one, I discovered the researcher who stayed with me for four weeks continuously, calculated that I spent 114 hours every week on my work. I changed my methods of work from that time on. From putting more hours into my work, I developed ways of putting more work into my hours.
For more than fifty years I have given on average over 14 speeches, sermons and lectures every week, including on television and radio. Every one I prepared and typed personally. Interviews, recordings, chairing meetings, and the like, was a daily way of life. In Parliament in retirement, similar activities still occur.
That is living in the fast lane. Every year I used to fly to over 100 destinations. I do not do that now. I have learned to take some time in the slow lane. This last week was in the slow lane.
I did not work on the computer at all. I wrote no articles and gave no speeches. I made no broadcasts nor gave any interviews. I did not attend a meeting. I did not Tweet or correspond on the Blackberry.
I caught a train and travelled for thirty hours non-stop. I caught a couple of boats and walked a great deal. I swam a little. I talked a lot with my wife only. We prayed for five elderly friends who are doing it tough with illness and frailty. We prayed for some young adults in stressful situations.
Now I am refreshed. It is exactly one year to the state election. From now until then, it is the fast lane.
Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC