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If you are thinking about retirement or are in its early stages, my bet is that you have been asked something like: “what are your plans for retirement”? I am sure most would answer quickly as to the list of things they will do over the next 6 months to a year and perhaps that’s good enough. But what if this planning could be more focused and enlightening? I have been asking “pre-retirees” and recent retirees a different question:
“What is your vision for your retirement life”?
The result – some answer quickly as to the next 6-12 months or more vaguely with things like “travel a lot” or “do whatever I want”. Cool. However, others don’t answer as quickly. The concept of “vision” makes them ponder a little more.
The act of pondering gives you permission to think more deeply and can lead to a better plan for how you will spend your most precious asset, “your time”, in retirement. When you plan for the financial side of retirement, do you cover the next 6 to 12 months only? I believe that financial planning is critical to retirement, but its quantifiable nature is more familiar with many as opposed to how one decides to invest their time in retirement. Also, there are professional resources available to help that aspect of retirement readiness.
Planning for “how you will invest your time” in retirement takes a different approach. The pondering can unleash your mind, help you develop a deeper appreciation of what’s important, understand what is possible, and perhaps refine your beliefs and skills. This is the power of visioning.
A vision for retirement can....
· Stretch your thinking
· Develop a plan aligned with what you “want and value”
· Discover what gives your life purpose
· Uncover your new “identity” after your main career
· Unleash your creative juices
· Motivate you to move forward
Via visioning you give yourself space to be reflective, explore, be curious, sharpen your mind, and gain clarity as you enter this next phase of life as to what is most meaningful to you.
Here are some starter questions to ask as you think about your retirement vision:
- Who will I "be" when I no longer have a full-time career which has identified me?
- What am I most excited or curious about that I want to do more of?
- Where do I find meaning and fulfillment?
- Do I want to continue to work, to have more leisure, or a combination of both?
If you want to dig deeper into your own key life dimensions in retirement including work, health/wellness, relationships, mindset, personal growth, purpose and leisure, check out my website to find out more about creating a vision for retirement. I’d be happy to discuss your retirement with a no- obligation call.
A vision for the non-financial aspects of retirement can help lead to a more satisfying retirement life – make that part of your retirement readiness process!
Related: A Diagnosis Leads to a Retirement Course Correction