Leading Yourself to Greater Fulfillment
Looking forward to retirement? Perhaps you have visions of endless travels abroad or rambling around the country in a motorhome when you retire. That could be an exciting season, but is it a permanent lifestyle?
Maybe you dread the “R” word. Your identity has been wrapped up in that successful career that’s about to disappear…
If you believe that to retire is to end all meaningful purpose in life then you’ve been badly misled. Now’s your chance to really make a difference!
Reboot
I’m not talking about having money to retire. Either you’re financially prepared (in which case I don’t need to talk about it) or you’re not (in which case, find a good financial planner).
I am talking about how to make retirement the most fulfilling season of your life.
Back in the day when you were transitioning into adulthood you had a lot of decisions to make. Whether you recognized it or not, those decisions were driven by a set of values that you were basing those decisions on. Perhaps you were driven by money, family expectations, a reputation you sought after, or just what you thought you would enjoy doing. In any case, it was your weighting of what was important to you that guided those decisions.
Now it’s time for a bit of a reboot. The difference is that this time you have a wealth of experience that means you’re wiser, know yourself better, and have more to contribute than you did when you were young. It’s now a matter of knowing what to do with it.
Guiding Principles
- Be intentional. Know what you’re retiring Preferably, start identifying that before you retire. But it’s never too late to start being intentional. Unsure what to pursue? Trial and error beats standing still.
- Know yourself. What’s important enough that you’ll do things you don’t like to do to get it? That’s what you value. What are the things you do that energize you? Those are things you’re wired to do. What resources can you tap into: Time, talent, treasure, relationships? The intersection of your values, wiring, and resources will point you in the right direction.
- Avoid the sand traps.
- Be sensitive to changing relationships. Your spouse might get tired of having you in the house all the time – create some space. You have more time, but your friends might not. Manage expectations by talking about them.
- Establish rhythms and routines. You need them and your job won’t set them for you anymore.
- Be accountable to someone to stay on your intended course.
Find Your Purpose
My values drive me to positively influence others. I see retirement as having the potential to be my season of greatest influence. I have the freedom to pour into others without worrying about what I get back. And despite contrary headlines, I see an abundance of younger people who are hungry for mentoring from elders who will come alongside them with leadership skills like listening, asking questions, and giving feedback with humility, care, and wisdom.
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