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Question of the Month: Retirement Quandary - What’s Next?
If you are in the retirement mode but have no clear idea of what you want to do, which one of the following options is the best approach? Assume that you are one of those baby-boomers who have worked hard all your life, had a successful career, are moderately prepared financially, and are looking forward to less work and greater freedom in your future. The problem, however, is that you are unsure about what would constitute a truly fulfilling and meaningful new life.
A) Because it's more preferable to continue with the known than to launch into a new and uncertain direction, forget about retiring and remain in your current work and lifestyle.
B) Check out the many great retirement communities and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle of no work and all play: after all, you have earned it and life's short.
C) Concentrate on building greater financial security before retiring because you can never have enough money for all the contingencies of an unknown future, and you might need to support yourself and/or your partner until you're centurions.
D) Take time to reflect on your personal criteria for success and generate a vision for the next chapter of your life before launching into retirement.
A. Why stay in the same old structure?
Staying with a known situation makes sense if what you're doing gives you joy, purpose, and a healthy balance in life. If any of those key ingredients are missing, however, it's time to move onto something new and more fulfilling. If you have been looking forward to a freer lifestyle and have the basic means for supporting it, why would you continue in the same old structure?
(Select a better choice)
B. This lifestyle may not provide ongoning satisfaction...
Finding a great retirement community may be just the thing for you if that's the kind of lifestyle that suits your real interests and provides sufficient purpose and meaning in your life. If that lifestyle does not promise ongoing satisfaction over the months and years ahead, however, it's time to discover what will provide a sense of sustainable joy and fulfillment.
(Select a better choice)
C. Financial security is not the only ingredient...
While financial security is a basic essential to an enjoyable retirement life, it's not the only ingredient. There are many rich but unhappy souls in the world and sizable numbers of less-than-rich but happy ones. In addition to financial security, true happiness involves three other basic ingredients � love, health (physical and emotional), and a sense that you're growing comfortably into the one and only �real you.� A single-minded focus on the financial side of retirement can actually sidetrack you from the challenge of self-discovery and reinventing a fulfilling new life.
(Select a better choice)
D. Yes! Creating just about anything worthwhile begins with a vision...
Creating just about anything worthwhile, whether a new house, a scintillating vacation adventure, or new life begins with a vision. A grand vision for a fulfilling new life requires defining your personal criteria for success, and that involves knowing your real values, what it is that gives you a sense of joy and purpose. Since you are the one and only you, it's unlikely you can develop a satisfying vision for new life on the advice of someone else or the promise of the �good life� being promoted by an advertising firm. For well tested guidance in generating your success criteria and a vision for your future, check out The Joy of Retirement: Finding the Happiness, Freedom and Life You've Always Wanted book and other helpful resources on the subject at www.Visiontrac.com/retirmentresources
(The best answer!)
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