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by: Yvonne Volante
You just got your special gold pin, an expensive watch and
a bonus check more than anyone else's at this year's company
Christmas party.
Who are you? This doesn't require three guesses. You are
the about-to-be-retired, or the expected-to-retire employee.
Everyone applauds, your company president makes a jaunty,
tongue-in-cheek speech about you and your abilities, and you're
basking in the spotlight.
Or are you?
Sometimes, the feeling of retirement isn't equivalent to,
say, the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Retired." Maybe
you're not rich, and maybe you're not ready to retire, even
if you are doing well financially and would have enough to
live on should you choose to retire.
But that's just the thing: What's "mandatory retirement"
all about, anyway? What's this about moving us out of the
work force when we reach a certain age? Do any of these things
really make sense? Isn't everyone different, and doesn't everyone
have different goals, dreams, and ideals in life?
Forget "mandatory," and think about what you really
want to do. Having a purpose in life is what gives living
its spark, for heaven's sake. Why usher you gently out the
door if you're just not ready to go?
But "mandatory retirement" is the reason that 50
percent of all people who retire from a full-time career seek
out an alternate job within the first six months of retirement.
According to the American Association of Retired Persons
(which should certainly know), half of those retirees get
a full-time job. Others decide to either work for themselves
(what better time to start your own business?) or pursue a
part-time job. And the primary reason for this desire to continue
to work won't likely be lost on anyone: Retirement, for many,
equals BOREDOM.
Whatever you do, whether it's just enjoying lying on the
couch and watching old films or joining clubs and reconnecting
with people and the community in ways you never had time to
before, or if you want to pursue a completely new field, this
is imperative: You MUST do something that makes you happy,
that genuinely will please you. You must WANT to get out of
bed to go to work; forget the burdens of the past 30-something
years or so -- now is the time to be content and just enjoy
yourself.
Ideally, this new work of yours should also require effort
on your part to achieve. If it's too easy, you will still
be bored.
Friends and relatives will be sure to make lists for you,
should you not know what to do with yourself as a "retired
person." They might suggest you do things like build
a backyard patio; get a part-time gig as a night-shift security
officer, take up golf, or, above all, TRAVEL!
Those well-meaning friends and relatives just don't get it.
They do sincerely want the best for you, but you don't want
their best ideas. You have them yourself.
Just consider your life-long hobbies and interests and put
them to use in any environment you please. Please! This is
the only chance you may ever have to do exactly what you want!
Seize it!
Here's another plus: Say you take a job, go through some
training, then two days later, you just hate it. Here before
you is the very first time in your life that you can just
quit a job if you don't want to do it. You've earned it, so
walk out! Of course, you'd want to be polite about it, but
honestly, that's real freedom!
See how many advantages there are to retirement? The trick
is finding the right "flavor" for your personality.
And when you do, you'll have the time of your life.
About The Author
Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of retirement and
writes for retirementfx.com, which is the premier retirement
resource on the internet. You can see all of the articles
over at http://www.retirementfx.com
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