Retirement

We all look at retirement as our reward for years of “nose to the grindstone” dedication to the pursuit of the almighty dollar. Hopefully we have stashed a few of those dollars away so we can pursue those idle pleasures we have denied ourselves for so long. Retirement has always been viewed as an achievement, one that all of us who are still working hope to reach some day.

Retirement is a fantasy we all indulge in, that is until we stop and take a look at the truth that is right before our eyes. There is a certain “honeymoon” period after you retire where you get to run around like you just escaped from prison, ducking all responsibilities that come your way, and gloating to everyone that you are on permanent vacation and every day is Saturday on your calendar. That doesn’t last for long. When you are done with your “vacation,” reality sets in as you start your search for ways to fill your time for the rest of your life. Most people don't realize that you need to plan, not just how and when to retire, but also your retirement itself.

Some retirements, especially the early retirements come as a shock to those who work with us. But, if you look a little closer you discover some really surprising facts about those who did make the decision to retire early. These are things that they seldom share with their co-workers. They decided to retire early because their job or career was literally killing them, mentally, physically, emotionally, or a combination of any or all of the above. Another reason for early retirement seems to be the impending and inevitable discovery that you have been promoted higher than your actual ability to perform, and it is better to get out now before they have to embarrass you by firing you.

Another retirement strategy is to leave one career behind in pursuit of fulfillment. I like this one the best. If you really want to make people envy you at your retirement party tell them all you have decided to retire so you could start a career doing what you love to do instead of what you have to do, or what other people expect of you. Cap that statement off with something about pursuing your true destiny and filling your life with peace, and love, and happiness.

You can almost see the tears running down their cheeks as they lift their glasses high to toast your new career even while you are leaving them behind to toil away in the trenches without you. Unfortunately, you leave at least half of them trying to fit career and destiny into the own current job description. Going to work the next day and finding out that you really have escaped can be a real downer to those you leave behind.

The bottom line for retirement is that it should never be considered the end of anything. Before we dive into what retirement is, and how to be wise about our retirement options and preparations, we will have to come to grips with the truth as to why we want to retire at all. As strange as that may sound at first, it makes much more sense when you view retirement as your well earned chance to pursue your destiny. Think of all you did before you decided to retire as just training for the main event. Retirement is that moment when you finally regain full control over your own life, what’s left of it that is.