Hello and Happy New Year! Hope your new year has started well -and- I also would like to extend my best wishes for this coming year to be full of grand adventures, opportunities and lots of fun and laughter !
As always, I appreciate You taking the time to stop by ‘Terry’s Thoughts.’
A fulfilling retirement begins with a blueprint for living, rather than simply the accumulation of a large nest egg. Financial freedom is meaningful only when it supports a life of purpose, connection and vitality.
For generations, the traditional mindset about retirement has been singular: Accumulate enough money to stop working -and- success was measured in account balances, not in the quality or purpose of our days.
That approach once made sense for past generations when retirement was short, people retired when they were 65 and on average, lived less than 10 more years.
Today, we will most likely live 25 to 30 years after leaving the workforce. That’s an entire second life! Yet, most of us still plan as if money alone will ensure our fulfillment, health and happiness. It does not!
Research consistently shows the opposite: Those who retire without structure, purpose or social connection experience faster mental decline, higher rates of depression, even shortened life expectancy.
It’s not that money doesn’t matter — it does. Money is not the goal; it’s the means to “live the life You love!”
Americans are rewriting the script on retirement. There are many surveys and more research on the significance of retirement to our lives. One common theme is becoming more and more evident and that is there is a strong desire to want a retirement that looks different from that of previous generations, with many prioritizing adventure, athletic pursuits and passion projects over a traditional slow‑down.
I have written in past articles on the importance purpose, structure and social connection are to our retirement’s well being -and- as essential to our health as taking care of our nutrition and exercise. When our work ends, so do many of the routines and relationships that define our days. Without something meaningful to replace them, we will naturally begin to slow down faster.
I have recently completed a certification program to achieve the ‘Certified Retirement Life Coach’ designation. I enrolled in this program not necessarily to achieve this specific coaching designation. Rather, it was to fulfill one of my goals during my ‘Encore Phase’ — continue my life long learning and development. And, quite possibly assist others with navigating their transition to this ‘Encore Phase.’ Throughout the program, there was emphasis placed on maintaining purpose, personal fulfillment, social connection and maintaining a structure to our days. Here are a few questions I have put together from the course’s content to give You a few thoughts on creating a blueprint for your ‘Encore Phase:’
- What will give your days structure after your work days end?
- Who will be important for You to spend time with? (think positive energy)
- How will You remain physically and mentally engaged?
- What will be your personal goals to keep You focused on moving forward?
It becomes critical to our ‘Encore phase‘ to enable a lifestyle which contains purpose, (key) personal relationships, focus on your health and contributions to serving others.
The goal of retirement isn’t merely to avoid out living our money, (old tradition); rather it’s to avoid running out of our life!
Continue stepping forward in the ‘Encore Phase‘ with enthusiasm and eagerness -and- please continue to take care of yourself, make the most of your days -and- always remember;
“Never quit searching, never settle and never give up seeking your greater purpose!“
Terry's Thoughts 
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