What If I Told You Retirement Is a Lie?
Sean Carney, PA, MBA, PCC
Reinvention Coach for Professionals & Organizations | Transforming Transitions into Purpose & Momentum | Founder, Next Edge Coaching
Not the financial part—the outdated myth that at 65, you’re supposed to step aside, fade into the background, and stop doing work that matters.
That’s nonsense. And if you’re reading this, you already know it.
You’ve spent decades leading, solving problems, and making things happen. And now the world expects you to just… stop?
Yeah, no.
If you’re approaching what people call retirement but aren’t ready to check out, you’re not alone. More professionals are tossing out the R-word and choosing reinvention instead.
Why Retirement Doesn’t Make Sense Anymore
For decades, retirement followed a simple script: Work until 65, grab a pension, and disappear into the sunset.
That made sense when most jobs were physically demanding. People’s bodies wore out. Rest was necessary.
But today, your real strength isn’t in how many boxes you can lift—it’s in your experience, insight, and ability to solve complex problems. That doesn’t expire at 65.
So why walk away from meaningful work just because an outdated system says you should?
The Hardest Part of Retirement Isn’t Money—It’s Identity
A retired CFO once told me:
“For 35 years, I was the guy people called when a business was in trouble. Now, my phone’s quiet. If I’m not that guy anymore… who am I?”
If you’ve spent decades building, leading, and making an impact, walking away cold turkey doesn’t just feel weird—it feels like losing yourself.
Because let’s be real: Work was never just about a paycheck. It gave you purpose, momentum, and a way to contribute.
And when that structure disappears? A lot of people feel lost. Restless. Even irrelevant.
Instead of asking, “How do I retire?”
A better question is:
“What’s next for me?”
Five Ways to Reinvent Yourself (Without ‘Retiring’)
The good news? You don’t have to retire. You can pivot. Here’s what that could look like:
1. The Encore Career
You’ve spent decades mastering your craft. Why not use that expertise in a fresh way?
Try this: Offer a few one-off consulting sessions before deciding if you want to go all in.
2. The Mentor or Advisor Path
Startups, nonprofits, and boards need seasoned professionals. Your experience is an asset.
Try this: Mentor one executive for three months before committing to a full advisory role.
3. Passion Projects
Maybe you’ve always wanted to write, teach, or build something new.
Try this: Teach a guest lecture before signing up to run an entire course.
4. Lifestyle Reinvention
Some people use this phase to redesign how they live—traveling, downsizing, or shaking up their routine.
Try this: Work remotely for a month before making any big moves.
5. Lifelong Learning
Brains don’t retire. Neuroscience proves that learning keeps them sharp.
Try this: Take a short workshop before committing to a full program.
None of these require a massive overhaul. They’re small, low-risk experiments that help you test the waters without jumping off a cliff.
The New Model: Build a Life, Not Just an Income
Forget “retirement plans.” This phase is about reinventing who you are—on your terms.
Think of your career like a house you’ve lived in for decades. When it’s time for a change, you don’t burn it down. You renovate. Knock out a few walls, update what doesn’t fit, and build something fresh.
Ask yourself:
Your answers become the blueprint for your next chapter.
How to Move Forward (Without Overthinking It)
Feeling stuck? Here’s a four-step plan to get moving:
1. Figure Out What Gives You Energy
? What excites you? What drains you?
? Run a Life Energy Audit to see where your time is best spent.
2. Get Clear on Your Next Chapter
? Don’t default to “more of the same” or “doing nothing.”
? Write a Future Snapshot—a quick vision of what you want life to look like in 3-5 years.
3. Test Before You Commit
? Take a low-risk action: Shadow someone, take on a small project, volunteer.
? Test, tweak, refine—you don’t have to get it perfect on the first try.
4. Shift Your Identity
? Move from “what I did” to “who I’m becoming.”
? Rewrite your story to reflect this next version of you.
What’s Next for You?
Traditional retirement is outdated. The real question is:
What do you want your next chapter to look like?
Don’t wait for clarity to magically appear. You have to create it.
Your next move doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to happen.
So… what’s one move—big or small—you can take this week to test a new direction?
Want more strategies for navigating change?