I am well past the magic number that is generally considered retirement age. People often ask me why I keep working. There is no single answer to that question. You may want to consider the following ideas when you are planning your own retirement:
1. Satisfaction – I love my job and my clients!! Whether I provide therapy, write articles, or teach seminars, I look forward to every workday. My clients challenge me to help them develop strategies to improve their lives and also keep me informed about the changes they are experiencing in society. Milton Garland, who was the oldest working person in the United States at the age of 102, stated, “First you find a job. Then you get good at it, and then when you’re good at it, you don’t want to quit.” “.
2. Work-Life Balance: In addition to traveling (when we’re not in a pandemic), I enjoy reading, cooking, playing Canasta online, and talking with friends and family. Fortunately, I have been able to do all of these things while building my career. Retirement for me would mean thirty or forty extra hours a week and I’m not sure how I would fill it when I can already do everything I want.
3. Sharing and Investing: Over the years, I have had the opportunity to study at the graduate level and gain experience working with over 8,000 clients. I believe that when we have been hurt, we should give back to others. Sometimes I do this by using my skills, but I also have the option of giving more financially to good causes because of my income.
4. Life expectancy: My family has a history of living long lives, and while I have no idea how long I’ll live, I really don’t want to retire now and possibly have regrets in the future.
5. Health: You must be in good physical and mental health to work, but work can also improve your physical and mental health. My health is good and I am grateful to be able to continue working. Having a purpose gives you a reason to get up in the morning, get dressed, interact with others, and experience fulfillment. At the end of the day, you are “very tired” and can enjoy “a few shekels to clink.”
6. Choices – Many people have several choices about what they do. Now that I have a government pension, I can reduce my clients’ work hours and choose how I will provide services. During the pandemic, for example, I have been working from home. Some employees may work part-time, while others retire from their careers and then start new jobs or begin volunteer work.
The concept of retirement is very different from my grandfather’s days, where a person would be with a company for thirty-five years and then receive a gold watch at age sixty-five.
Each of us should consider the above and wisely determine when and how we will create and approach a bespoke retirement!
