We go through many transitions during our lifetime. The transition from work to retirement is a transition going through it’s own change in our country and around the world. It’s time our thoughts and the preconceived ideas tied to retirement went through a change as well. In the dictionary, retirement has literally meant the end. When a person decides to retire, they seem to associate retirement with the end of life. We need to change this mindset. Retirement is more often now considered the beginning of another stage of life, not an ending.
Retirement will change your life. This is for sure. Are you ready for this change? When you left high school, your life changed. When you got married, your life changed. When you had children, your life changed. It stands to reason, when you retire your life will change. Whether this change is good or bad is up to you.
You’ve probably prepared yourself financially for this stage of life but what about emotionally? What will you do with your time? A permanent vacation might seem like the ideal way to live but will you be able to fill your time once you have this luxury? So much free time might get quite boring after a while. I was once told by a retiree that taking a vacation isn’t nearly as much fun if you don’t have to plan how you will get the time off from work.
You should start now to plan how you will spend your retirement years. These five tips will help you along the way:
1. Change how you define retirement. The cardinal rule for today’s retirees!
There is a major shift in Boomers who now consider retirement as a beginning, not end. Jump on this bandwagon and plan your next life chapter!
2. Create an identity outside the workplace. Start a hobby or other interest not related to work. This can be a very big piece of finding happiness in retirement. Some of us identify so heavily with what we do and how others perceive us in this position, that it can truly be scary to think of life after your current career. All the more reason to start practicing your retirement lifestyle long before the day actually comes.
3. Slow down. Instead of volunteering for additional work, delegate more. You have spent so much time hurrying to meetings, meeting dealines, racing through the airports. Now is your time to live life on your own terms! Have you made a list of what those terms are?
4. Renew your relationships with family and friends. If you’ve always been too busy with work to enjoy a life, reverse your thinking and get busy living. You’ve made a living, now isn’t it time you had a life?!
5. Don’t be too hard on yourself. The transition could be a big change, but you can do it and look forward to it! Write out a roadmap. Review it. Revise it! LIVE IT!
Remember, retirement isn’t an all or nothing event. If you find the retirement lifestyle you’ve chosen to be the wrong fit, go back to work, but on your terms. There are lots of opportunities for a retired person who wants to supplement income or just keep busy. Some find consulting to be fulfilling while others do part-time work or volunteer. How you spend your retirement is quite personal and you should tailor this to your wants and needs. And give yourself a break! Be grateful for this opportunity to live the life you have always longed for.
If you are ready to start planning your “Road Trip to Retirement” then click the contact us link above and we’ll start planning for your
Retirement On Your Own Terms!
We work with individuals, couples as well as groups. Sieze the day! You’ll be glad you did!
Be well,
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Thank you! Glad you liked it! What other topics would you like to read about?!
In Joy!
Carrie