| Many in my hard-working generation are looking | | | | will get you up in the morning when you no longer |
| forward to the day they retire. The expectation is | | | | have to be at the office by 8:00? If you are already |
| that many of us will just go with the flow, relax and | | | | retired, what gets you up and going now? |
| do the things that we always wanted to do. | | | | Living on purposeWhen you are living "on purpose," |
| However, it doesn't take long before one day | | | | you are consciously in touch with your talents, skills, |
| resembles the next and you are developing habits | | | | gifts, strengths and values. Living with intention |
| that don't serve you well. Sometimes these bad | | | | requires time for introspection, thoughtful reflection |
| habits are so subtle that the damage they cause | | | | about your life and the ability to move forward using |
| happens before you even know it. Eventually you | | | | this knowledge. Once you are knowledgeable about |
| realize that because you have always been part of a | | | | these aspects of yourself, you are then ready to |
| high achieving generation, you will need much more | | | | move into the decision-making process about where |
| purpose in life than you will get in a traditional | | | | these parts of yourself can best be expressed. Is |
| retirement. When we were working and raising | | | | there a cultural problem, cause, new career, etc. that |
| families, our life purpose was built-in. We knew what | | | | is calling you to exercise all of those countless gifts |
| was expected of us and what we expected of | | | | you possess? In Repacking Your Bags, R. Leider and |
| ourselves. However, because we have 20 to 30 | | | | D. Shapiro said it well. "Purpose is not a goal. A goal is |
| more years in retirement than our parents and | | | | something that can be reached. A purpose is never |
| grandparents did and we now have fewer obligations | | | | achieved. It exits before you and lives on after you |
| to others, we have to create a life based on our | | | | are gone." |
| own personal interests, values, skills and passions. | | | | Finding your purposeHaving a purpose in life will give |
| How will you spend your time? What will give you | | | | your life meaning no matter what life stage you are |
| the sense of purpose that has been built into every | | | | in. While doing this exploration, I have found life |
| other stage of your life? Along with fewer obligations | | | | purpose in using my gifts of listening, empathy, |
| there is also less information readily available about | | | | compassion, resourcefulness and creativity. These |
| what we call the internal shift, better known as an | | | | gifts have allowed me to help people grow through |
| "inside job" that will occur in your life at this critical | | | | self understanding and move forward to live healthier |
| stage. There are no two people alike, so this | | | | and more satisfying lives that are filled with purpose |
| transition requires a different kind of preparation that | | | | and meaning. What is your purpose? |
| is not very concrete or well understood. | | | | Take the time to reflect on the following questions: |
| Discover your unique purpose and keep it clearly in | | | | 1. Sit quietly and reflect on your talents, strengths |
| mind when planning for your retirement. Consider all | | | | and skills. Write them down. Ask those you love and |
| the possibilities that can enhance a dream retirement | | | | trust to reflect on what they experience with you |
| of work, leisure, volunteerism, travel, education, | | | | and give you feedback about your gifts. |
| hobbies, and individual pursuits and imagine how each | | | | 2. What issues, social challenges or causes in your |
| will contribute to fulfilling your purpose. | | | | environment, your life or the world stir passion and |
| What gives your life meaning? | | | | interest where you can use your gifts and talents |
| There are numerous ways that you can create a | | | | discovered in #1? |
| foundation of self-trust and open communication with | | | | 3. Can you develop a plan that will be focused on |
| yourself and your partner that will help you to move | | | | implementing action towards this purpose? |
| forward with more self-assurance. You should | | | | 4. What kind of support do you need to move |
| recognize that this might be the only time in your | | | | forward? |
| adult life that you have the freedom to focus on | | | | 5. How will you know that you are on the right |
| what you really want to do with the rest of your life. | | | | journey for you? |
| For the first time since you were young, obligations | | | | In creating a purpose-filled retirement, remember that |
| to others are a backdrop and you come first. This | | | | your retirement will be unique just as your goals, |
| realization begins with how you want to "be" in your | | | | passion, and reason for being is unique. You may |
| life. While we might sometimes want more and | | | | choose to incorporate some aspects of retirement |
| mourn the loss, it is a blessing that more and more | | | | living that your friends and family enjoy, but it is your |
| of your work obligations and family responsibilities | | | | purpose that should be the deciding factor. |
| have come to a resting place. This change will allow | | | | Once you have discovered your passion, you can use |
| you time to focus on your own personal | | | | this knowledge in a variety of ways. Use your time |
| development. This change takes on more importance | | | | and structure your days so you are accomplishing |
| and urgency as you no longer have a multitude of | | | | your purpose instead of killing time, waiting for the |
| external factors driving your every decision on a daily | | | | next social activity or trip. Work part-time to |
| basis. | | | | advance a cause or be able to contribute to the |
| The longings, ideas, questions and concerns regarding | | | | charity of your choice. Express your sense of |
| this movement towards retirement occur at several | | | | purpose and meaning in your life in useful ways |
| levels: internally which includes the feelings and | | | | instead of letting time slip by. Put your years of |
| thoughts about this stage and externally through | | | | experience and knowledge to work pursuing your |
| planning and taking action. | | | | passion. You may no longer have a title and an office, |
| In all of my training, I have learned that doing what | | | | but you have something more valuable: a clear |
| you love is the cornerstone of a successful life. It is | | | | purpose and the life skills to accomplish that purpose. |
| clear to me that teaching, counseling and life coaching | | | | Join with others who share your ideals. Volunteer, |
| are what I love to do. It really reflects my values, | | | | mentor, or teach. |
| gives me purpose and brings me joy. It requires that | | | | Finding purpose gives life meaning and is the |
| I continue to learn, grow and challenge myself. These | | | | foundation of all successful retirements. Get help or |
| are important objectives that I know must be a part | | | | take the time necessary to discover your unique |
| of my personal retirement plan. | | | | purpose now. This will prepare you for a retirement |
| So ask yourself: what is it that you love to do? What | | | | where you are excited about each new day. |