Top 5 Ways Planning & Goal Setting Lead to a Safe Landing in Retirement

Key Takeaways:

• Priorities are like alligators, deal with the closest one to the boat first.?
• Without goals, we might be flying...but it's unclear where we’re landing.??
• A good plan is like a map that takes us to our destination.?
• Finding allies and stepping outside of our comfort zone are keys to retirement success.?

In recognition of Women’s History Month, The Wave Strength proudly welcomed former Thunderbird, and U.S. Air Force Pilot Michelle “Mace” Curran to the Mission Critical webinar. Michelle and host Christine Tucker discussed many fascinating aspects of Michelle’s career, and Michelle shared several lessons, tactics, and strategies that can be applied to financial wellness and preparing for a successful retirement.

Here are five key takeaways from the webinar which can help us become retirement ready.?

#1 – Establish Priorities?

One of the many highlights of the Mission Critical webinar was when Michelle shared her strategy for prioritizing: Focus on the closest alligator to the boat, then deal with the next one. Applying this strategy to retirement preparedness could mean reducing debt, creating a budget, or enrolling in an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan.

#2 – Set Goals?

Without goals, we may be soaring, but we’re doing so without a destination, and that could lead to a bumpy landing. Goals serve as our destination and establishing goals will help set a course toward a successful retirement.???

#3 – Make a Plan?

Michelle repeatedly noted the importance of planning in achieving her personal and professional goals. Our plans are like a road map, it's how we navigate toward our goals. After we’ve established our goals, we can then begin planning to achieve those goals. Another important takeaway is realizing that it’s OK to change our goals and plans if our circumstances change.??

#4 – Find Allies?

Michelle emphasized the importance of trust among her fellow Thunderbird pilots. When we’re planning for retirement, it’s critical that we find trusted advisors, resources, and tools that we can depend on for accurate information and advice.?

#5 – Get out of the Zone?

Taking a calculated risk isn’t a bad thing, Michelle calls this “stepping outside of our comfort zone.” When applied to retirement planning, this can mean simply deciding to start the process of becoming retirement ready. Sometimes the first step is the most difficult. For Michelle, that first step was applying to be a Thunderbird, but by taking that risk she was able to soar to great heights.?

If we hope to soar toward retirement, it’s important to recognize that we are the pilots of our journey. And if we’re to make a safe landing, it’s mission-critical to establish priorities, set goals, create a solid plan, find trusted allies, and step outside of our comfort zone.?

Disclosures

Pacific Life, its affiliates, its distributors, and respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Any taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor or attorney.?

Pacific Life is a product provider. It is not a fiduciary and therefore does not give advice or make recommendations regarding insurance or investment products. Pacific Life, its affiliates, its distributors, and respective representatives do not provide any employer-sponsored qualified plan administrative services or impartial advice about investments and do not act in a fiduciary capacity for any plan.?

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