One solution to over-volunteering

My favorite way to cope with the ridiculous amount of volunteer commitments I have is to do my volunteer work at the same time I'm doing my paid work.

How is this ethical or possible, you ask?

If you've ever staffed a college library in the evening, you'll know that your main purpose is to keep the lights on so students can use the photocopier, the computers, and the study tables. I've been at work for four hours and I've answered 3 questions. Two of them were "where's the photocopier?"

So, I spent my time preparing a report for a board meeting I have to attend this week. Now I won't have to do that at home, on my own time.

Next, I'm going to do some unpaid work that is even less fun than preparing board reports. I need to input figures on the spreadsheet where I record all my freelance income and expenses. I finally have all my 2007 tax forms and I'm determined not to leave it til the last minute this year.