How To Retire Happy
My experience of 25+ years in retirement planning is that getting our heads straight for what comes after work is the most difficult part of the puzzle. As humans we seek happiness in everything we do.
But we innocently attribute happiness to the new car/job/partner or the holiday or money. Happiness from objects and objective experiences always fades. You may believe that the objective experience of not working will make you happier. It might in the short term, but it won’t last because you need something to retire to.
Happiness comes from being active and having goals and dreams. Being idle doesn’t suit humans. At work, being active, setting goals etc. was often out of your hands – you didn’t have to think about it much.
Now, for the first time, without work, it’s 100% on you. You get to set your schedule and what you want to accomplish. There’s a responsibility, a pressure to that. But if you pay it proper attention this can be the time of your life.
So, what should you be trying to get straight? These are the main sources of good (and bad) thoughts and feelings:
Where is your thinking on these? How are you feeling about them? What’s important about them to you? Why? What can you do to move your thinking on?
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Now have a think about what you won’t miss, for example:
And how about things you can spend more time on? For example:
More than any time in your life, you can put your life in proper balance. But now, for the first time, it’s all on you. Getting your head clear and straight will pay you back many times over.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
MD Thornton Chartered Financial Planners ??Podcast Host: Island Influencers, Past President Personal Finance
2 年At #knowthyself cohort's catch up yesterday we observed that 'the more you plan, the more freedom you have'.
Happily Retired at Self Employed
2 年Ther is some great stuff in here. A few thoughts from me:- firstly, you mention the things you won’t miss from work, but what about the things you will miss? Whatever they are, make a plan to replace them with something similar. Secondly, if you plan to take up a new hobby or activity, start it before you retire, or you’re never get around to it - there is always tomorrow. Lastly, I would like to share my model for a week in retirement- 2 days earning, 2 days learning and 3 days for fun.