Susan’s Top Ten Tips to Renew and Retire…and Create the Life You Love

1. Relinquish the myth.  Begin today to banish the “maturity myth” that at certain ages, certain things must happen--like retirement.

And realize that retirement and full-time leisure is a new concept in human society. 

2.  Redefine retirement.  Find a new way to describe this chapter of life.  How about “renewal” rather than retirement?  Is this your second chapter of life?  Or your third?  Are you ready for a “new beginning”?

3.  Reassess.  This is a time to take stock of what has been, what is, and where you will go from here.  What are you willing to leave behind?  What do you want to take with you into the future?

4.  Re-enroll in learning.  How can you use the gift of your retirement to learn what you have always wanted to know?  Many schools offer free courses! What are you ready to learn now? 

5.  Recharge your energy.  Find a community of people who are engaged in growth and change.  Run from people who are trapped in the old paradigm of retirement- that you are expected to do nothing.

6.  Reinvest in your good health.  Commit to moving your body regularly.  Find some physical activity you enjoy and make it part of your day- walking, swimming, yoga, hiking or biking.  Better yet, do it with a friend.  You will both benefit.

7.  Revisit your childhood dreams.    Maybe this is the time to become the person you always wanted to be.  What in your life have you always wanted to do?  It’s never too late to live your dream. 

8.  Review your finances.  Do you have enough financial security to provide for everything you need, rather than everything you want? Does your spending reflect what’s really important in your life?  Remember “you can have anything you want, you just can’t have everything you want”.  Be clear about what you want.

9.  Reconnect to your family, friends and community.  Restructure your time around your priorities-what is most important to you, like deepening relationships with family, friends and community. Now is the time to bring your life into line with your values.

10.  Remember that these years are a gift- a gift of time.

The true reward of retirement is not that we are free to do nothing, but that we are finally free to do what we want!  What is the dream you are willing to live now?  How will you create the life you love?