Getting to the "what" of retirment planning

Getting to the “what” of retirement can take an ordinary life and make it extraordinary. In my experience, a great number of people don’t know what they want to create in their retirement life, and don't know how to get there from where they are. This key ingredient, life satisfaction, hasn’t been part of our cultural legacy or been given societal importance until the last decade or so.

Typically, we’ve been advised to create a financial plan to grow a reserve of money so we won’t starve or be dependent on relatives or the government in our senior years. But there is a vast difference between a financial plan and a life plan. Another consideration usually decided in retirement is where to live based on things like climate, where family lives (or doesn't) and the like. Yet, with these elements considered, many people still don’t truly know is what they want to create in this third age we call retirement.

If you are contemplating retiring in the next five years and are wondering how it is you wish to live or are already retired and are experiencing less satisfaction than you’ve hoped for, here are some questions for your reflection. I have only one directive: take your time, letting your heart not your head answer:

What has my work life given me; apart from monetary compensation, a sense of security, order and structure, that I find valuable? Once you are clear on the benefit(s) ask yourself:
What makes this/these important to me?
What might I commit to or what could I create now that would possibly generate the same value, satisfy the same desire or need?

Do not be discouraged if getting to the answers takes longer than you wish. Patiently insist on getting past, “I don’t know,” as an answer. This is not an intellectual exercise; it asks that you allow yourself to feel what you know is true.

Find someone you trust to listen to your answers, so that you can hear yourself say out loud what it is that matters to you. This is the first step toward gaining the momentum necessary to create your extraordinary retirement life.

If after you’ve done the work you realize that getting some supportive, goal-directed coaching could help you create that life more quickly and easily, email me at: Cynthia@retirementlifeplanner.com. We can arrange a complimentary consultation and I’ll also answer any questions you may have about coaching.

GETTING TO THE ‘WHAT’ OF RETIREMENT