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,

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Boomers have to face the fact that, well, yes, we ARE getting older. BUT, we don't have to grow up--and, we CAN age well!

Since we're likely to want to--or have to--continue to work in some form for a number of years, then why not do something you're passionate about, something you get lost in, something that you would do for free, but have found a way to get paid for?

Rather than think of ourselves as "retiring" (or withdrawing/retreating from the world and life), let's look at the next phase of our lives as a transition to something new and better! Why not make the next phase of your life the very best it can be?

Start by considering what's REALLY important to you. If you prioritize your life to focus on those things that mean the most to you, like relationships, family, friends, helping others, giving back--whatever it is for you--you will be much more content and a happy person. Isn't it time to ensure that your values are reflected in what you do?

Renew your energy and your zest for life. Now isn't the time to sit back and let life pass you by. It's the time to make the most of each and every day we're given. Be around positive people who stimulate you, who embrace change and growth and are willing to support whatever you decide to do.

Don't be afraid to take some risks. I think Mark Twain was exactly right when he said, "Twenty years from now, you'll be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones you did do." I think that's also true of five years from now or ten years from now! Don't have regrets! Grab onto life...and, go for it!

Be open to new possibilities and opportunities. Too often we put ourselves in a box--a box that limits our options and doesn't allow us to see the many opportunities out there for us. Step outside that box! Consider options and opportunities--and don't be afraid to fail. After all, the only way we truly fail is if we don't try or if we give up! I like to say, "Sometimes I win and sometimes I learn." Because after all, if we learn, we take something important away from the experience and that, my friends, is not failure. And isn't that "l" word--learn--a lot better than the word lose?

So...at what age did you give away your dreams...and, is it time now to take them back?

Remember, you're never done growing and there are many possibilities out there for you. You can live your life with passion and zest; you can do those things you thought were in your past; and, yes, you CAN accomplish your goals and dreams.

What do YOU want to do when you grow up?

Don't forget to VOTE!

This isn't a post about 2Young2Retire-MN and what we do. It's about what's most important--or should be--to each and every one of us. Our freedom...and our right to exercise that freedom by voting.

We all have a lot to be concerned about. With unemployment at more than 9-1/2 percent--about 14.8 million Americans out of work--and more than 6 million unemployed for 27 weeks or MORE. More than 40 million Americans are without health care. And, bank foreclosures are at record numbers. Those are statistics we should all be concerned about.

You may think that your vote won't matter...but, it WILL. Statistically, the odds of YOUR ONE vote being THE deciding vote, are about like your odds of winning the lottery. BUT, what if we all believe that our vote won't matter? Then, it's not one vote, but hundreds, thousands--or more--votes. Voting is YOUR PRIVILEGE! And, by the way, if you happen to be in a swing state, the odds of your vote making a difference are greater than those of winning the lottery! (And, hey, some people have won the lottery more than once!)

If you're a Baby Boomer, you have "voting muscle" just based on the numbers of Boomers as compared to other generations--and, the fact that Boomers DO tend to take their responsibility to vote seriously.

In a recent article, Francis Beckett had this to say about Baby Boomers, "Today, because people are living longer, baby boomers are a much more powerful political force than 55- to 65-year-olds have ever been before. And they are exercising their political muscle on their own behalf...according to research from the think tank Demos." So, apparently, we are voting based on what matters most to us.

What matters most to you? Will you let others decide who makes decisions on your behalf in the coming years? Or, will you let your voice be heard?

Research the issues; research the candidates; know what matters most to you...then, VOTE! Minnesota voters, check out the facts at AARP's web site! http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-10-2010/get_the_facts_mn.html?cmp=NLC-STO-102710-MN-Nwsltr

NOTE: Here's another opinion from one of the co-hosts of JobTalkAmerica.com, Sam Zeff: http://www.jobtalkamerica.com/apps/blog/.