Reflections on "Retirement"

How will you retire? Will you retire "well," make decisions about what you do and how you do it--on purpose? Or, will you just "let life happen" and do "whatever"? For the first time last winter, I spent time at a resort in Arizona. I spent some time each day watching the people at the resort and trying to assess how they've retired--and how happy they seem to be with the decisions they've made. I met and talked with many of them. From what I observed, I'd say the group was about half and half. Half of the people are very happy with the decisions they've made and how they're spending their retirement. However, some of this first half do seem to wonder if they want to continue to do what they're doing for the next 10 years or more. And, some of this group admit they're still "new to this" and don't know what they don't know. The other half seems to TRY to be happy with their choices. Many of them don't seem to quite know what to do with their time. They say they enjoy "doing nothing." (But I have to wonder...do they really want to do that for the longer term? Are they fulfilled and feel like they're living life to the fullest?) Because, here's the deal. With people living longer, we have the gift of "bonus years"-extra years of life that we can use as we please. The typical 65-year old today us expected to live to be 83 years old. One in four is expected to live to age 90; and, one in 10 65-year-olds is expected to live to be 95. In fact, it is projected that more than 3 million Baby Boomers will live to be 100 years old! That's a LOT bonus years! And, we certainly want to make the most of the time we're given. Every person should have a plan for how to spend those years doing what matters most to him or her. I think most of us want to live each day to the fullest and arrive "sliding into heaven." Clyd Blum, a farmer from Newport, wrote a poem that explains it well: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in an attractive and well-preserved body, But rather, to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up and totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride!'" Now, that's how I want to live my life. I don't mean to imply that we should totally throw a healthy lifestyle--eating well and exercising--out the window. I do, however, think we need to relax, find and focus on what matters most to us, refind our dreams and "go for it!" And, of course, we need to make the most of each and every day we're given. There is no right or wrong for how you choose to live your life in retirement. However, it really should be a very deliberate decision and YOUR choice! It is important tht you don't just let life happen. You will be much happier if you decide what you want your retirement to look like and then "do it." Do you want to work? If so, how much? And, if you do work, then do something you love; work shouldn't feel like work. We've earned the chance to live our passions, enjoy what we do and live our lives well! If you don't want to work, how do you want to spend your time? What's most important to YOU? Remember, this is YOUR life and YOUR retirement. Don't let others tell you what you should or shouldn't do. I ask people to consider three things: Who am I? (REALLY!) What matters most to me? And, what do I really want? Once those questions are answered, you can figure out what it will take for you to get what you want and put a plan together to start taking those first steps. Just like everything else, "Retirement just 'ain't what it used to be!'" It takes planning and decision-making to make it YOUR retirement and ensure you get the most from each day of your bonus years. Think about it. Do you want to end your life with regrets? Or, do you want to slide in sideways--breathless, knowing you did it your way, and that you did it all and lived your life just the way you wanted to? If you want to discuss plans for your next phase or have questions about the programs and coaching we do, give me a call at 612-209-1775,