In the last months, our lives have been turned upside down. Many have lost their jobs and their livelihood as non-essential businesses have been ordered to close. Others have remained employed by working from the safety of their homes. Some have reached retirement age without having planned for this milestone. All are faced with having to replace what work provides.
Wherever we find ourselves, the need for social distancing is interfering with relationships and how we normally “do business” and interact with family, friends, and colleagues. Prior to this, a similar dynamic was already in play for retirees. Adult children have their own lives and need to work their parents into their busy schedules. Work colleagues, too, have full calendars. It takes careful planning and shared enjoyment of social activities to maintain work relationships once one or more of the individuals has retired.
Now even normal work schedules are at risk thanks to the need for many employees to work from home. Normal routines and structures at work have been replaced with just getting the job done. This is similar to just seeing what happens if you don’t plan for retirement.
In both cases—retirement and working remotely—it’s best to establish good habits. These can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment in uncertain times. Plan to replace what work provides for you on an ongoing basis.
It doesn’t matter if your retirement was sudden, unplanned, and unwelcome or something you were eagerly anticipating. Take time to explore the following aspects of work that you need to create a happy and successful retirement now. (I explained this more in the article “Successful Retirement Planning—Replace What Work Provides”).
What does each letter of WORK PROVIDES mean to you? Right now, what can you do to substitute for each need that was provided by work? What might you do in the future? Is there something missing?
Use this WORK PROVIDES framework as a way to establish some order, purpose, and structure in your day-to-day life so you can accomplish your goals. I’m here to help by phone or video conference. Make the most of this season of your life and your retirement by using the extra time you have to plan the next exciting chapter of your life.