I wasn't prepared

I was a Girl Scout and have always tried to stay true to the motto, “Be Prepared.”

So, imagine what a complete surprise it was when I retired from my 30-year career, stepped into a new chapter, and promptly fell apart.?

I thought I was prepared. I’d spent years working with a financial advisor, knew how to budget, and was confident we had the financial means to support the retirement lifestyle we wanted.

But, I hadn’t given much (if any) thought to how I would feel when I closed the door on a career that not only had become my identity, had defined me to my core.

And that was a huge mistake.

Here’s what I learned. Hard as it is to believe, every end is also a beginning. You can channel all the uncertainty and fear into positive energy that will propel you forward if you can shift your mindset and focus on what might lie ahead instead of what you just left behind. How?

?? Start with your life story and chapters because they contribute to who you are today. ?

?? Peel back the layers of your onion and get to the heart of who you really are.

?? Tear off the masks you’ve worn to protect yourself from what others may think.

?? Develop a growth mindset.

?? Map out your new journey, so you feel more prepared to manage uncertainty.

?? Master the Art of the Pivot to take advantage of the opportunities coming your way.

This week’s newsletter (drops tomorrow) dives a bit deeper into preparing you—the person—for stepping into a new chapter. You can find other resources on my website. The link is on my profile and I’ll also drop it below. Let me know what you’re doing (or did) to plan for retirement.