Many retirees fail to plan for their loss of identity – from doctor, teacher, salesperson, electrician, driver – to. something new. Retirement often triggers a significant identity crisis, as individuals struggle with the loss of professional, purpose-driven, and social roles that once defined their self-worth.
The transition to retirement frequently is accompanied by feelings of invisibility and, in some cases, “relevance deprivation syndrome”.
In North American society we are known by the work we do. When we first meet someone new, the common question is “What do you do?” In other words, in what occupation are you employed?
Recently a newly-retired person told me of an incident when he was at a social gathering and someone asked, “And what do you do?” The retiree answered, “I’m retired”. Immediately the retiree watched a uninterested facial expression appear on the stranger’s face. I then asked the retiree, “What are you doing in retirement?” He answered, “I’m training to run a half-marathon and I’ve taken up oil painting.” I replied, “The next time someone asks “What do you do?”, answer, “I’m training for a half-marathon and I oil paint. What do you do?”
We all know what we are retiring from – our job, boss, company, occupation or trade but what are we retiring to? Is your retirement going to bring you the satisfaction you desire and deserve? To answer this question, you need to have a good idea of what will make your retirement life meaningful.
By being specific with your wants and needs, the choices you make along the way will be more goal-oriented. You will recognize which behaviours and choices support your goals (purpose) and which do not. You will also know when you are satisfying your needs and when you’re off track.
Most pre-retirees want, need and value family. their social life, financial security, health, personal and spiritual development and leisure. It’s time to identify your needs and wants (i.e. achievement, challenge, family, growth, pleasure, money, etc.).
Visualize a retirement that meets your top six prioritized needs. Experience shows creating a vision with more than six needs is difficult and can lead to frustration and incompleteness. With your retirement vision, what are you doing, who are you with, what leisure activities are you participating in, what makes up your typical day, what is your diet life, what is your state of mind. Your vision of retirement should satisfy your personal wants and needs.
Throughout the retirement visioning process, it is imperative to be optimistic about your future. Review and rewrite your retirement vision as often until it feels right and is in line with your wants, needs and beliefs. Keep in mind, you are shifting focus from what you did to who you are and want to be.
