The Golden Years

The Golden Years

Once again, a post from the Winners Circle has set me thinking quite a lot. In this one, Lou Tice reminds us that, as much as we may be looking forward to when we’re able to retire, to get the best from that time, we need to start preparing for it now.

Many people look forward to retirement, but not everyone finds it pleasant when it finally arrives. How can you make the most out of your so-called “golden” years?

Retirement is a time that some people look forward to and others almost dread. One thing is certain, though, retirement is a time of life that produces many changes – and some of them you might not expect.

For example, John Mosedale, author of “The First Year, A Retirement Journal” points out that not having a job any longer can mean a loss of self-esteem and a lessened sense of worth – especially for people whose whole identities have been wrapped up in their work, for many, many years. Mosedale says it’s important to figure out who you really are before you retire, and I certainly agree. I also believe it’s important to realize that you are far more than what you do at work, no matter how absorbing and interesting your job may be.

If you want to be a well-rounded person and really enjoy your retirement when it rolls around, now is the time to cultivate interests, hobbies and even passions that you can expand and explore more deeply later on. Keeping busy, setting and achieving meaningful goals, maintaining good health and financial security, and feeling that you have a purpose in life are keys to a fulfilling retirement.

These things won’t happen by magic when you turn 65 or 70. The time to start is now. What sort of retirement would you like to have? Can you see yourself at age 70 and beyond? What are you doing? Where are you doing it? And what can you do right now to make sure this vision of your future becomes a reality?

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute

I would certainly want to echo Lou comments here. I am, because of my health, effectively retired. I manage to do a little in my Church role, but can never guarantee that I will be able to what is expected — my health can change at any time, with very little in the way of predicting when it will happen.

When I had to stop working, it affected me a great deal. Even after a few years I’m not sure I have truly accepted it. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have made the time to develop hobbies and interests that didn’t rely on work. But, when we’re in our thirties and forties, we just don’t want to think that way.

My advice to anyone would be to really heed the advice given by Lou Tice in this post, and start preparing. You may need it sooner than you expect.

I find Lou Tice’s thought provoking emails are very helpful. If you think you would too, do, please, consider subscribing to the Winners Circle.