Are you planning for your retirement? Got a big list of things you plan to do, things you used to enjoy doing that you want to start doing again? Or maybe others you never had the money, the opportunity or the courage to try before?
Let me share one of my loves.
I am a transplant surgeon’s best friend. A temporary Australian. An organ donor.
I am a young (well, relatively so), fit, healthy biker. Not one of your lycra covered MAMILs. I am one of the leather clad motorbike brigade!
I love winding roads. The way you lean the bike over while gravity and centrifugal force combine with the power of the engine to safely get you around. I love the camaraderie of being on a bike – the way you share a bond with other riders who will often nod or wave as they pass you. I love the way you sometimes need to pick insects out of your teeth after a long ride. Well ok, maybe not the last bit!
Even though my only riding for a number of years has been commuting between work and home, I live on the memories of the long rides through the countryside, and some of the great trips I have made.
I tell myself that one day, when the kids are older and I have more time on my hands I will get back to doing that.
The problem is, even before kids those rides were pretty infrequent. They were usually great when they happened, but they still didn’t seem to happen that often. I just never seemed to get around to it. So the odds are, unless I find a way to engage with a group of like-minded bike nutters, the future probably won’t be much different than the past.
I regularly come across this issue when working with doctors who are planning to retire. They have poured much of their lives into their patients and their career, with the bit of time left over reserved for family. But this has left little time for themselves and their other interests. Often they have put these interests aside and told themselves that they will pick them up when they have time – generally code for ‘after they retire.’
While this makes sense intuitively, it can put a high degree of pressure on them because they need to find some way to fill in their days after they stop working. Even worse, if these plans fail to eventuate or take far longer than envisaged, it can be a source of significant frustration and disenchantment and even depression. Imagine how you would feel if for example your health or that of your partner deteriorated and meant you couldn’t tick off something on your bucket list?
Those who make a successful transition to retirement are often already strongly engaged in other pursuits prior to their retirement. In the case of fellow motorbike enthusiasts, they might choose to join a group like the Ulysses Motorcycle Club in order meet other people who share their passion for bikes and who want to “Grow Old Disgracefully” (the club motto).
If you are thinking about your retirement, what can you do now to help prepare for this transition?
If you would like a Second Opinion on your current plans please feel free to contact us.
