Retirement is often portrayed as a thirty year holiday, free from the shackles and restrictions of work. But if you enjoyed working, and the sense of purpose and structure it provided, you may find you are actually bored without it. So then what?
This post continues the story of Ben who retired
two years ago at the age of 52. The initial post discussed the first year after he stopped work, a time he dubbed ‘Me Time’. To go back and read that post Click Here.
This article will look at Ben’s second year after retiring, alternatively known as the ‘I’m bored, so what am I going to do?’ phase.
Given Ben had successfully built and run a business over twenty years it was hardly a surprise to me that he missed that sense of purpose.
Over the past year he has managed to successfully develop a second career doing something that he absolutely loves but which for me was completely unexpected, and yet surprisingly obvious in hindsight. The money he is earning is a fraction of what he earned previously, a point that greatly amuses him (he now has competitions with his student daughter over who has the lowest hourly rate!).
Ben has always been a very sociable person, and one of the key elements he enjoyed in business was the opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of different people. His professional work had involved talking to people about the important things in their life and working with them to ensure their financial position reached a point where these things were possible. Some of their needs would be met by him, while in other instances he would connect them to another professional who could help with a particular issue.
His new role is a sailing instructor, helping people develop the nautical skills they need for the sailing goals they have. This might range from someone who has plans to buy a yacht and wants to be able to skipper it, someone who has plans to crew on ocean races, or someone who simply wants to learn a new skill.
He is constantly meeting new people as a result, and derives tremendous satisfaction from teaching them and watching them develop their skills, confidence and reaching their goals.
To top it off he has been able to combine this with his love of sailing and being on the water to create what for him is the perfect job. This is especially the case now that his financial position affords him the luxury of not having to consider the income from it.
In my mind Ben’s case highlights both the need to find something to fill the void left by retiring from full time work, and the wide range of opportunities available to do so. Regardless of whether you might need the additional income to help fund your retirement plans, the rewards you obtain beyond the financial might ensure this time is much more fulfilling.
If you would like to discuss your retirement plans and obtain a Second Opinion on them, contact us on 02 9959 0550 or email info@wpmedicalspecialists.com.au.
We are now also able to offer you a quick, online 9 Point Financial Health Check. It should only take you five minutes, and you will receive a personalised report including suggested areas for consideration if necessary. To take this first step simply Click Here.