Overcoming The Fear Of Retirement

Did you dream of the day you could retire? As the days approached, did you say to yourself “when I retire I’m going to do all the things I haven’t been able to do because I’ve been so busy working and earning a living”. Retirement should be a time where you can take it easy, slow down the pace, play golf, go fishing, write a book – just enjoy life. After all, this is our reward for all our hard work.

Retirement isn’t like taking off Saturday and Sunday where you getup in the morning and cut the grass, trim the trees, wash the car and then take it easy and watch a little football. Now you have seven days a week where you can do all these chores and then some. It takes time to adjust to a new routine after working 30 or 40 years in a fast pace job. Certain disciplines never change. Your self worth will always be intact and this will help carry you into the unknown territory of retirement.

You will need to address important issues such as health and vitality, will there be enough income to keep us in the lifestyle we our accustomed to, will social security take up of the slack from our standard income? Do we have or need supplemental health insurance? Do we need to downsize our home or move to another area? These are all questions that should be answered as the time approaches to insure a happy transition from working to retirement. We don’t need to be waking up at 3:00 a.m. and worrying about if all our bases are being covered. The point is not to worry yourself into a depression.

The question is now “What do I do with my life now that I am retired and have completed all those projects that I have put off doing for years and have played enough golf till I drop?” If you don’t have enough income to live in the lifestyle you are accustomed to or are bored to death, what are your options? Downgrade your lifestyle to live within your new and limited means, work part time to supplement your social security, or start an in-home business.

Make a plan on what will make you happy. What will bring a smile to your face every morning? Set your goals to make that happen. Make a list of all the questions you may have and devise strategies on how to accomplish these goals. One very important note here; be flexible - go with the flow. Don’t make it hard on yourself. Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page about what retirement means. You may to have to make some adjustments in your life style, changes that may not be exactly what you hand in mind. Fear can be a good motivator to get moving and accomplishing your goals. Joy is even a better motivator. The fact is you should enjoy the time you have and the vitality to do it.

I am recently retired and went through all the above. This is why I am writing this article. I decided to start an in-home business. Since I always lived my life with a “full glass vs. half glass” philosophy, I wanted to develop a business with that premise in mind. I also wanted to pass along that information and wisdom that I have accrued over my long lifetime to help others achieve their goals. I chose a business in personal development where I could achieve financial success with only working a part time and flexible schedule and help others become empowered. This business system provided me with a proven training system as well as a team support system. It has been so great to talk to others on a regular basis with the same goals in mind. My wife and I have even been able to travel and take our business on the road with the wonderful use of the internet. We are seeing all the places we’ve wanted to go to and work and earn a great living at the same time.

This business was the answer to my questions and desires. It may be the answer to yours as well. You’ll never know if you don’t check out all your opportunities. n