Perhaps you are one of the 10,000 people per day in the U.S. that are turning retirement age and are channeling Johnny Paycheck in letting their bosses know that they can give your job to someone else.
Good for you. So what’s next?
Perhaps your Vision Board for retirement includes a picture of you on a beach drinking a Mai Tai and watching the waves roll in. Or maybe a golf course in Boca Raton.
No worries. No stress. Just sunshine.
Not everyone would get bored with this routine after a few weeks, but I would. So what’s next after that?
Retirement Redefined
Retirement has gone through big changes over the past 50 years. Before that, the majority of people worked until they couldn’t. Then their families would take care of them and/or they would be sent to a ‘home’ to wait for the inevitable.
Now because we live longer and our country is richer, people have the option to quit the grind while they’re younger and healthier. Retirement no longer means you can’t do things – it means you have the opportunity to do different things that are more meaningful and enjoyable.
So why even call it retirement? The term is not applicable. Why not instead just refer to it as the Next Phase.
And in this Next Phase, unlike all the others, there are all sorts of possibilities. You’re likely smarter than you have ever been. You probably don’t have to worry about supporting kids. You are likely debt-free and have a nice security nest egg. In most cases, life has never been better.
Labeling the Next Phase as ‘retirement’ is misleading. Retirement sounds way too boring to people that enjoy contributing and staying active. I believe the word alone could scare people from pursuing the Next Phase as they keep their difficult jobs to stay significant and vital.
The Earlier The Better
Here’s the deal: the earlier you launch into the Next Phase, the better it will be.
I launched into my Next Phase as soon as I practically could; I was 58 and healthy. Being so young, I was able to initiate several activities that keep the money flowing and at the same time I freed myself up to do the things God has planned for me. At 61, I am happier, wealthier, and healthier than ever. My life has more meaning than when I was working and I am busier than ever doing the things I love. I vacation when I want. I don’t miss enjoying any nice weather days. I have plenty of time with kids and grandkids.
One benefit of my becoming self-employed is that I have more time to read. I was concerned initially about staying mentally stimulated after I left my job. Now I learn more than ever before – and I learn things that are more important and applicable to my future.
My New Perspective
Knowing what I know, it’s frustrating for me to watch good people killing themselves to stay with a job that drains every ounce of life force from them. Activities like exercise get put on the back burner. So does eating right as they gorge themselves with toxic sugar and caffeine to get through the day.
And then there’s the stress. It puts people in adrenal fatigue and they gain a bunch of weight around the middle because their cortisol levels are not at normal levels. They walk around like zombies just trying to get to the end of the day.
When some of these people do retire, they’ll be just shells of their former selves. How will they have a successful launch into their Next Phase when they are totally burned out?
Not for Everyone
There are certain people that my message will resonate with and others that it will not. Consider these things:
- Are you happy at your job? Looking forward to going to work is an indicator.
- Does your job energize you?
- Does you job give you purpose and meaning? Helping people, animals, environment etc.
- Does your job enable you to do all the things in life that you long to do? Spending time with family, having flexible vacations.
- Does your job make you a better person? Consider reading, learning, interacting with others.
- Does your job support and enable you to eat healthy and exercise? Consider if you are overweight or eat too much sugar (more than 25g/day) or drink too much coffee (> 1 cup).
If you answer ‘No’ to a few of the above, consider launching a New Phase ASAP.
My message is for those that value time and really want the most out of their limited time on the planet. I am particularly concerned about people that are high in the personality trait of Conscientiousness. These people are the ones that companies take advantage of the most. They are the successful Go-Getters that derive pleasure from getting things done. They will literally work themselves to death.
A friend of mine posted a meme on FB titled “Never Say That’s Not My Job”. This is typical of the High Conscientiousness type. These people are the ones that pick up the slack for others. They are the ‘busy’ people that others pass off work on.
You can identify these people by how many activities, businesses, or hobbies they have outside of work.
These people deserve better. They deserve a healthy life full of meaning, particularly in their later years when they are in their prime.
So if you’re one of the those that makes things happen and you’re caught in a dead end job, it may be time to cut yourself loose.
The goal should be for a healthy, meaningful life with financial security.
It’s when we mess up this balance by totally focusing on our jobs that things start to fall apart. When our total focus is on our job, we lose meaning and purpose. This drags us down mentally and physically. Also when we are totally focused on our jobs, we tend to neglect our health.
Personally, the last chapter in my book will be the best and that’s the case for many people. There’s no good reason it shouldn’t be. All that experience and knowledge you have gained can now be applied to something spectacular.
You Need a Plan.
To be clear, leaving your secure job could either be the biggest mistake of your life or the best thing you’ve ever done.
The difference between the two of these is planning.
In my case, I had a 20 year plan, then when that got hijacked, a 5-year plan. My company played around with my pension after I had given 20 years of service. I adapted by investing in rental real estate so I could stay on track.
Others I know have phased out their employers by doing part-time work. This has allowed them the time to establish their new lives and at the same time ween off their old jobs.
If you’re healthy, maybe all you need is a different occupation. One that you enjoy and that has more meaning. Self-employment is an excellent option. Perhaps you can offer what you’re doing now to other employers on a contract basis.
The first part of every one’s plan should be to get healthy!
There’s a good chance your job is draining everything out of you mentally and physically.
The good news is that if you don’t wait too long, you’ll still have the energy to pull yourself back from the brink. The longer you wait, however, the more difficult and longer it will take to get you back in shape. Because it will be more difficult and longer, the likelihood of succeeding will be lower.
I was 58 and in decent shape when I transitioned from job to self-employment. In the first year, I lost 15 pounds and got in the best shape I had been in 10 years.
One thing I know for sure, the best outcomes are achieved by those that Hire a Personal Trainer. Hiring a Personal Trainer is the single best thing you can do to increase your chances of succeeding with getting healthy.
There’s no one who wouldn’t benefit from having a Personal Trainer. I know a lot about exercise, but I have had several Trainers over the years. My Trainers, who also know a lot about exercise, also have Trainers. So if you think you know enough about training your old body, think again. Get some help.
Absolutely Get Your Beach Time.
Your condo on the beach should be for rest and recovery from your meaningful work rather than your swan song as you await the inevitable.
Get in shape and prepare for the best part of your life. Join the people that have included us in their “Next: Fay’s” Transition.
Ron