| Retirement is not only about new opportunities and | | | | sort of person; or wouldn't be able to make a |
| having a life after work, but also realistically coming | | | | difference. Decide this is the time in your life when |
| to terms, in a positive way, with getting older and | | | | you won't delay any more and you will do whatever |
| dealing with illness and infirmity which may go along | | | | you need to do to make your dreams come true. |
| with the aging process. | | | | Are you willing to take a leap of faith and change |
| Having a positive mindset is important, as always, but | | | | habits of a lifetime in order to have the life you |
| particularly at this stage in life. I'm not trying to deny | | | | dream of? If so, what do you have to change? |
| that getting older may have a negative effect on | | | | To achieve your dreams and live the life you want, |
| you. However there can always be something to | | | | you have to: |
| learn and something positive to learn even from a | | | | - change the way you think about yourself. |
| very negative experience. | | | | - change what you believe about yourself. |
| If you are someone who is very deeply entrenched | | | | - do what your inner self wants to do. As you |
| in your working persona this is the time to begin to | | | | approach retirement, and wonder what life after |
| discover who you are beneath the professional | | | | Medicine might mean for you, perhaps with feelings |
| facade as you begin to move away from the roles | | | | of apprehension, as well as excitement about what |
| and identity of being a doctor. | | | | your next phase of life will bring, you have the |
| As you begin to explore a life after work you need | | | | chance to choose to live a different sort of life. You |
| to believe that a life is not only possible but also can | | | | might be energised about this possibility, or dreading |
| be amazing. Instead of procrastinating with excuses | | | | the changes that will inevitably occur when the |
| about being upset because you don't really want to | | | | medical work routine no longer dominates your life. |
| leave work, be confident that you can and you will | | | | You have instead, opportunities opening up for you, if |
| do this and things will turn out just fine for you. | | | | you are willing to recognise them. Yes, retirement is a |
| Whatever you want to do now, stop making | | | | chance to change your life for the better. So now it's |
| excuses that you can't do what you really want to | | | | up to you: if you do nothing then nothing will change |
| do because you: are too old; too fat; not clever | | | | for you. Follow the suggestions and your world can |
| enough; don't know how; don't have time; not that | | | | be your oyster. |