Fourth quarter strategy: is there life after work?
"To adopt a regimen of health; to practice moderate exercise; and to take just enough of food and drink to restore our strength but not overburden it." A prescription by Cicero, First Century BC |
Dick retired from 43 years with the same firm on 1 April 1998. When our friends ask him how he likes being retired, he often says, "I don't know how I ever had time to go to work." He certainly doesn't miss the long commute twice a day.
If you are not yet retired, here are some ideas from an article I adapted from "Your Retirement Rehearsal," Remedy, Nov/Dec 1996.
Most people focus on the bottom line: Will they have enough resources to retire? But experts urge also looking at who you are, to take stock of who you want to be when you reach your "adult adolescence."
Imagine yourself as you'd like to be when the magic day arrives: What do you look like? Where are you? What are you doing? Cultivate a circle of friends, and develop a tell-all relationship with a confidante. Be sure to talk over the retirement scenario you imagine with someone you trust. If you are married, this is important; you don't want to wake up the day after you retired and discover that you and your spouse have not envisioned the same goals.
Consider taking classes now in what you might want to do later. Learning a new discipline, like calligraphy, oil painting, or piano, can be both stimulating and recreational.
Long before you leave your job, have a plan for staying active that includes learning and exercise. Otherwise retirement may be hazardous to both your mental and cardiovascular health.
If you are thinking about moving, spend time in likely places on your vacations. Then if you move, rent your home for an extended period before selling it, in case you change your mind.
Note this ancient prescription written by Cicero in the first century BC: "To adopt a regimen of health; to practice moderate exercise; and to take just enough of food and drink to restore our strength but not overburden it." That sounds like such great advice that health seekers won't want to wait until we retire to try it.
Above all, remember that without health, all the time in the world to enjoy a long life as a retired person could be a nightmare rather than a dream-come-true. With life expectancy hovering around 80 and inching steadily upward, retirement is at least a 20-year proposition. Now is the time to practice health/nutrition habits that will enable you to hike when you travel, rather than to be wheelchair-bound in a longterm care facility.
The main message from experts is that people face the greatest menu of retirement options of any generation in history. An important component of being well is finding a passion for living-perhaps through part-time employment or volunteer work for a cause you believe in, especially if it's very different from your pre-retirement career.
Would a home-based business help you test-drive one of your options? We are passionate about ours! Be in touch if we can help.
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