In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Jonathan Clements lists six key ingredients to a successful retirement. Listed below are the six keys plus my supporting comments.
Making Plans: Think ahead before you get there. What are you going to do with all that free time? Make some plans about what you think you'll enjoy doing. Make the plans diverse not singular in nature. Remember, you can't play golf all day everyday! Remember, you can always modify, completely change or disregard later and then come up with new plans. But have some idea of what will fill the open time periods.
Finding Purpose: Seek out and find that purpose that is enjoyable and important. One suggestion is volunteering. Helping others can be enjoyable and important. If you have something to say or always wanted to write, develop your own website. It can go in any direction you like. This activity can be very enjoyable and important on many levels. We have had success using http://www.chiMOBI.com
Staying Sharp: Just as your current job keeps you sharp, you need to find something else to challenge your intellect. Maybe a parttime job. Some of the parttime jobs I've enjoyed include; umpiring high school and recreational league baseball games, working event security at sporting events and concerts, and ushering at major league baseball games.
Keeping Company: Having and maintaining a social network is extremely important. That parttime job may expand your existing social network. Experts suggest not moving away abandoning your existing social network.
Talking It Through: If you are married, retirement needs to be discussed thoroughly so that both partners have an idea of what to expect and how they will spend their time and money.
Staying Healthy: Maintaining your good health can provide the most satisfaction in retirement. Excercise should be a planned, daily activity. Travel to new places, then get out there and walk around taking in all the new scenery.
