It's Time to Retire Retirement

News flash:  the word “retirement” has become irrelevant.

Nearly everyone I know plans to keep working years past the traditional retirement age (60-70).

Which category (ies) describe you?  

1.     I can’t afford to retire.   

2.     I don’t want to let go of my professional identity.  

3.     I love my work and can’t imagine doing less. 

Do you feel some combination of all three? Most of us do.

1. I can’t afford to retire. 

How do you know? Have you actually thought about how you would like to live post-career and then projected your realistic financial needs?    
 
Many people ---including accomplished business and professional folks---have never actually calculated how much money they will have and will actually need as they get older. They just assume it’s “not enough.”
 
But not enough for what?
 
How much you need to save and bring in really depends on the person you will choose to become.
 
Because these days, retirement isn’t about retiring. It’s about consciously creating a Second Act that keeps you engaged, productive, and as healthy as possible.
 
2.  I don’t want to let go of my professional identity.  

Here are a few reasons why you may want to explore alternative scenarios to your current vision.

First, you may not have a choice. Let’s be honest. Covid is transforming many workplaces.

Despite your best-laid plans, your work situation may dramatically change—a year for even a month from now.
 
Ageism, alive and well in many workplaces, could force you to move on before you are ready. A health issue might slow—or wear-- you down.
 
Or, you might just wake up one morning thinking, “I just can’t keep doing this anymore.”
 
3. You love your work and can’t imagine doing less.

Sure, you love what you do.
 
But try this reframe: Instead of thinking of how awful change would be, consider getting curious: What new options might be out there for me?
 
It’s a whole new world, and many of us are rewriting the playbook!

Why not make it a project--to imagine different scenarios?

It's actually quite thrilling and invigorating!

I know, it’s hard to find the time.

But if you knew that your department , company, or practice could change dramatically, wouldn’t you be thinking about Plan B?

So it you’re serious about planning for a rewarding, productive Second Act, schedule your Discovery call directly on my calendar. It’s a free, confidential conversation. We’ll chat, and if I think I can help you, we can discuss a few ways we might work together.  

Retirement is for race horses, not humans. Onwards!