Many people can’t wait to retire from work. They countdown the days. In their mind, they think about what they’ll do with all their free time. Then that day finally arrives. They notice something is missing. They were initially excited about retirement but now they’re not so sure anymore.
They start watching television – catching up on missed programs. Each day becomes shorter as they become more and more absorbed with their television programs. They continue to procrastinate the long list of things they thought they would accomplish in retirement.
They retired not only from work but from life.
Does the above scenario sound familiar? Did it happen to your parents? Or maybe, it’s happening to you?
You retired from work but you never really thought about the impact. Sure you made a mental list of things to do in retirement. But you are no longer motivated. What happened?
Anytime there is a major change in life, it takes time to adjust. What you may have overlooked is how much you need a routine. You may also be missing the sense of value work gave you. You may even miss regular office interaction – even if you despised office politics. So what do you do?
Before my clients retire, I encourage them to think about what they want to do. Today, many people do much more when they retire from work. Some find another career. Some focus on hobbies. Some travel. We’ve redefined retirement to be our encore phase in life. We are younger and more active when we retire – so why not do more?
Once they have a clear vision of what their encore phase in life will look like, it’s easier for them to define their daily routine. By knowing what they need to do each day brings back motivation and sense of value. It also limits falling into the trap of overcommitting or staying up too late.
To retire successfully or to maximize your encore phase in life, do more than think about the list of things you’ll accomplish. Be specific on how you will spend your time. Make a plan on how you will spend your day, being sure not to overcommit your schedule. Keep your plan simple so you can enjoy this new phase of life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA™, CRPC®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter and as a financial advisor. Her services include spending plan, financial plan, divorce financial review, life strategy and professional progression. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me’.”