When it comes to feeling fulfilled in retirement, you need to first look at the power of meaningful work in retirement. Next, you need to take the Alarm Clock Test. Do you greet each day with a sense of excitement and purpose? Are you so eager to embrace your planned activities that you can forgo an alarm clock? You have probably identified your passion.
If you have no worthwhile experiences on the horizon and you aren’t thrilled with the ringing of the alarm clock or what the day may bring, you have failed the Alarm Clock Test for the moment. You need to identify your passion and giftedness and use both to make a positive difference in the world. Find new work. Re-career or seek out entrepreneurial or self-employment opportunities to match your genius. This will leave you feeling fulfilled in retirement and in the years you still have left in your career.
Feeling Fulfilled In The Retirement Of Your Choice
These days 62% of boomers between the ages of 65 and 69 are working full-time or plan to work at least part-time in their retirement. Who would have thought that we would be using “work” and “retirement” in the same breath and sentence? However, today it is common to hear people talk about including work in their retirement plans because they either love what they do, need the money, want to stay connected, or some combination of those reasons. At this life stage, it is almost a requirement that you know and understand your relationship to meaningful work or you will not be satisfied with your retirement lifestyle.
If feeling fulfilled in retirement is important to you, ask yourself these questions:
• Will I continue working when I am retired?
• How does my work reflect who I am?
• What is my mission, vision, purpose, passion, giftedness?
• Who am I working for and why?
• What aspect of my work feeds my spirit, my soul?
• How does my work make the world a better place now and in the future?
• What am I creating as a legacy for the future?
• How do my values affect my work?
• Do I have fun at work? If not, what can I change?
• What inspires me?
All of these questions get you thinking about how work fits into your retirement lifestyle. You need work in its proper perspective before you leave your job permanently or transition to another career. Be sure about the reasons you work and remember that work and play are both important for a balanced life.