Retirement Coaching

When people first retire, it is like a honeymoon period, everything is still novel and exciting, there is no need to set the alarm clock, you can choose to go wherever you want whenever you want. All the restrictions of working life are gone, and for a while this will feel great, there will be a sense of freedom……physically and psychologically. But will this last if one very important factor has been overlooked, the very thing that kept us going through our life?

Human beings thrive when they feel fulfilled, when they contribute to family and society. We need to have a purpose to get through the day, a reason for getting up in the morning. We need to feel motivated. Will the daily newspaper alone do that for you?

Whatever you did during your working life is irrelevant, whatever your interests are is also irrelevant. You as a person is what is important, and the things that give you a sense of purpose and a reason for getting up in the morning.



So what is the secret to a successful and fulfilled ‘rebeginment’ or retirement? How can you ensure, that the years after you leave fulltime work is fruitful and enjoyable, giving you a sense of purpose? The answer is very simple, Planning.
Every aspect of our life needs a certain amount of planning, yet so many people approach retirement with no planning at all. This is a time when many changes will take place, a time when if not planned properly will create many stresses, worries and possibly boredom. Retirement impacts not only the retiree but also partners and family members. Financial situations need to be looked at carefully and of utmost importance is your own health and fitness – physical and mental.

So how soon do you need to start planning for your retirement, is it not true that you should live each day as it comes…..after all you never know what may happen tomorrow? Absolutely, live each day as it comes and more importantly to the full, but that can also include some forward planning. We never know what is going to happen, so why sit around waiting?

You are never too young to start planning financially. There are many good financial institutions that provide pensions, and investment and financial advice, and with the overall population of the country ageing, there is more responsibility placed on all of us to provide for our own later life. This will be due to a decrease in people of working age, and a continuing increase in people aged 65 and over.

By now you are either looking forward to your retirement or depressed at the thought of it, and if your feelings have changed since you began this article what has happened? Have you realised you are totally unprepared for the changes about to occur or are you at the start line ready for off?

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at the whole process of planning for retirement, from a relationship, health, and use of time perspective. Looking at how you can still contribute to the community or work force and why it is never too late to start something new!

And back to our old friend Oliver Wendell Holmes who said “Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing”.