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 my first time, I'm spending the winter months at a resort in Arizona. I try to spend some time each day watching the retired folks at the resort where we are staying to see how they've retired--and how happy they seem with the decisions (or lack of decisions) they've made. I've met and talked with many of them.
I would say I'm seeing about half and half. Half of the people seem happy with their decisions and how they're spending their retirement. Some of this first half, however, do seem to wonder if they want to continue to do what they're doing now for the next 10 years or more though. And, some admit that they are "still new at this" and don't know what they don't know. The other half, however, seem to TRY to be happy with their choices. Many of them just don't seem to quite know what to do with their time. They say they enjoy just "doing nothing." (But, then, I wonder...will they want to do that for the longer term???)
Because, here's the deal. WIth longevity being what it is, we have the gift of several "bonus years"--extra years of life that we can use as we please. The typical 65-year-old today will live to be 83. One in four will live to age 90; and, one in 10 65-year-olds will live to age 95. Three million baby boomers are expected to live to age 100! That's a LOT of bonus years!! And, it's even longer if you don't really have a plan for what you are going to do with those years. And, we certainly want to be sure we make the most of all of the time we're given! I think most of us want to live each day to the fullest and 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, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride!'"
Now, that's how I want to live my life. I don't mean we should totally throw healthy eating, exercising and attitudes out the window. However, I do believe that we need to relax, find what we really want, focus on our dreams and "go for it!" And, I think we need to make the most of every moment we are given!
There is no right or wrong for how you choose to live in your retirement. However, it really should be a very deliberate decision! You shouldn't just let life happen. You will be much happier if you make decisions about what you want your retirement to look like--do you want to "work?" If so, you should be sure to do something that you really enjoy; it really shouldn't feel like work! If you choose to work, how much? If you don't work, how DO you want to spend your time? What is most important to you?
I ask people to consider three things: Who am I? What do I REALLY want? And, what matters most to me? Once those questions are answered, you can figure out what it will take for you to get to 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 be sure that you are truly making the most of each and every day!
Do you want to arrive in heaven with an attractive, well-preserved body, but with regrets? Or, do you want to slide in sideways and breathless, knowing you did it your way--and you did it all, that you truly lived each day to the fullest?!
If you want to discuss plans for your next phase or have questions about the programs and coaching we offer, please give me a call at 612-209-1775.
