For years, retirement is something you look forward toโa reward for decades of hard work. But as the moment approaches, have you stopped to consider what it will ๐ข๐ค๐ต๐ถ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐บ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ when the structure of work disappears?
I retired two and a half years ago, after three decades as a teacher. I was fortunateโI had already been growing my coaching and training business, which helped me see myself as more than just โRob the teacher.โ But even then, there were adjustments.
The first few months? They felt like a vacation. No schedule, no routine, just time. And while that was refreshing at first, I soon realized that without a clear sense of routine, time could easily slip away.
Thatโs when I made some key shifts:
- I joined a monthly literary group and started volunteeringโmeeting new people, giving back, and staying connected.
- I designed a daily schedule that included fitness, learning, business, family, and even household tasksโbecause structure matters.
- I used my coaching background to reframe any fears or limiting beliefs before they took root.
Iโve seen time and again–that many new retirees struggle with:
- ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ & ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ โ Who am I without my job title?
- ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ & ๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ โ How will I create meaningful days?
- ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป โ Where will I find connection and belonging?
- ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ โ Am I ready for the unknown?
- ๐จ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ โ Is my vision of retirement aligned with reality?
Retirement is a huge life transitionโone that deserves as much ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ as financial planning.
Wondering how prepared you really are? I put together a simple Retirement Readiness Scorecardโa short (16-question) self-assessment to help you reflect on these key areas. It might just give you the insight you need.ย
