 Sometimes all that’s needed is a little information, right? So, here’s some!DID YOU KNOW THAT...1. RETIREMENT is in the Top Ten on the list of Life’s 43 Most Stressful Life Events (it’s #10!) And that’s what I mean. Some people might find the transition easy, but many retirees are truly stressed at the challenge of creating a new identity and purpose. 2. If your work defines ‘who you are’ rather than ‘what you do,’ it may be more difficult to transition away from it.  How will you introduce yourself when you retire? Please don’t be a ‘used to be!’ Thinking about who you are NOW and what you want will help you create the things you will be retiring TO. 3. If your social connections are mostly related to your workplace, it may be a lot harder to replace them. Bob in HR and Emily in IT will not be available for lunch when you leave your job. Finding new friends and interests before you retire will help you create a new community of people whom you like and who enjoy the same things you do! And, by the way, a Harvard Grant Study has shown that not only did having a strong social connection in retirement help people outlive those who didn’t, but also aided in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia! 4. Sitting at a desk most of the day can cause complicated physical conditions that can interfere with your planned retirement activities.
5. Believing that “the best is yet to come” is more than a Mary Sunshine outlook. It helps foster fresh ideas and possibilities. Having a positive mental outlook not only helps you deal with change and gives you more energy for new opportunities and accomplishments, but it will also make you more resilient for handling the other ‘stuff’ that comes your way. 6. People who don’t spend any time volunteering before they retire don’t know where to look for appropriate opportunities and get stuck in roles they don’t like.  If volunteering is high on your “Things I’ll Do When I Retire” list, get started early thinking about organizations you want to help. Make some inquiries and think about what you bring to the table. When you tell them what you would like to do, you won’t get stuck making phone calls or reorganizing files (unless, of course, you like that!). AND BY THE WAY… one more7. People are 42% more likely to achieve a goal when it is WRITTEN DOWN! Whether it’s a trip to Machu Picchu or creating an online creative cooking club, having a WRITTEN detailed plan for how to achieve your goals is very important. You’ve probably already done it on the financial side. Now do the same for all those non-financial issues Research has shown that when goals are written down, it reminds you of what they are and what you need to do to achieve them! Then put the list in a place where you can easily find it and check your progress. ~Loretta
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(Paul Simon Had the Right Idea!) Are you struggling with the very idea of retiring? I often have people asking me questions like, ‘Should I?’ ‘When is the right time?’ and ‘How do I handle it?’ My best answer agrees with the transition advice given long ago by folksinger Paul Simon: “JUST MAKE A PLAN, STAN!”Ok, so maybe your name is not Stan, and maybe you don’t even love your job - just the paycheck. The advice regarding facing a transition is still strong. Retirement means the end of something – the end of having structure to your day, the end of the identity on your business card, and the end of that reason for getting up in the morning.  The answer to “How do I handle it?” is simple. As with all transitions, making a written PLAN will help you ask yourself, “Who am I now?” and “What do I really want?” (Of course, you can still do this if you have already retired and are questioning what to do.) It’s common sense – think about how very different you are now from that person who was just getting started in the working world. And, by the way, YOU DON’T NEED TO BE COY, ROY.Oh, that’s right, your name is not Roy. But…, being coy – shy or timid – will not help you figure out your next move. You need to be honest with yourself, and PLANNING is what will help you focus and stay on the track of not what you are leaving from, but what you are going to. When you become your own GPS, you will feel much more confident, knowing when and where to spend your time. You’ll do things like committing to your fitness routine and researching some of those ideas and activities that have caught your attention. So, DON’T SLIP OUT THE BACK, JACK (Geesh, too many guy names! I’ll have to do something about that.) With your PLAN in place, you’ll be up front with everyone, having answers for the ‘What are you going to do when you retire” question that co-workers always ask. In addition, knowing how you envision your retirement years will help avoid uncomfortable discussions later. Your partner and/or adult kids will hear and respect your thoughts and needs. (Like No, I’m not taking over all the babysitting responsibilities or Ok, I’ll try pickleball but just remember my guitar lessons are Tuesday at 11:00!) Now, make sure you DON’T SIT STILL, JILL! (You’re welcome, Ladies!) If you need a little help for how to get to know yourself better and what makes you feel satisfied and happy, check out https://www.startofhappiness.com/wheel-of-life-a-self-assessment-tool/ . It’s a great tool for your goal setting and self-awareness. Like leaving a lover, leaving full-time work requires planning. There may be more than 50 ways to do it, and with a little effort you will find yours. Then, at your retirement party you can JUST EAT YOUR CAKE, JAKE & JILLAnd really feel free!  Good luck... whatever your name is! Loretta [email protected] P.S. By the way, remember that the written plan for retirement can easily be changed if you have some new ideas. Your GPS will just recalculate! ~Also seen in the monthly Let's Talk Retirement! column in the Jewish Observer~
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AuthorLoretta Saff, M.A., CPC, CPRC Categories
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March 2025
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