I’ve seen two situations in the retirement area where people are stuck. One is the transition into retirement when someone holds back from initiating the process. The second is post-retirement when the transition has not worked out very well. The retiree is not happy but doesn’t know how to make retirement better.
First, consider Ray, a successful consultant, whose work is helping key executives in some major US corporations with their business planning. He knows that, if he wants, he can continue working, as he has been for many more years.
Ray has been thinking about retiring for a long time. He feels burdened by the stresses of work more and more, and he has enough money to retire. So why doesn’t he retire? He doesn’t know what he would do with his time. He’s thought about some home projects and travel, but they don’t seem enough. Why give up his exciting work? Retiring to him seems like jumping off a cliff – into an abyss.
Then there’s Eddy, who ran a small but successful publishing firm. He got an offer to buy his business that was too good to turn down. He took the offer. He looked forward to a retirement life of golf, travel, and visiting grandchildren. Eddy’s retirement started out great. He’s now two years into it. He enjoys his activities, but he feels like there’s a hole in his life. He’s not sure how to fill it.
Both Ray and Eddy are stuck and upset with themselves. They want some change but don’t know how to do it. They know that they’re smart and should be able to figure out what’s next. But it hasn’t happened. It feels like a fog has settled over their heads. And they see other less capable people who seem to have figured this all out and are having a great time.
Ray and Eddy have been through many transitions in their pasts, including into new jobs or careers. Some may have been more straightforward than others. Some transitions they did by themselves, others they got some help from teachers or coaches.
Ray and Eddy will remain stuck unless and until they do something different. If they’re not making much progress on their own, then they could get some help from professionals.
In my new profession of retirement coach, I work with people like Eddy and Ray to help with these very issues. My goal is to help make the transition into retirement much easier and result in a higher quality retirement.
Are you stuck in your retirement transition?