Ironically, experience shows we are the least prepared for the most significant changes in life. Like chapters in a captivating novel, we bounce around from: Growing from adolescence into adulthood; Career; Leaving home and moving into our first apartment; Committing to a long-lasting relationship; Family; Debt; Saving for the future. And then, towards the end of our novel, there is the “next chapter” called retirement.
While the stigma of retirement is lifting from our society, this stage of life remains veiled in mystery and intrigue. It is like a fog lifting off a lake on a steamy, sultry, summer morning. We look forward to the upcoming waking hours not fully understanding to what extent the weather will shape our day.
“…the majority of leaders have not given the future the needed time to effectively prepare for their next chapter.”
I spend a great deal of my time supporting successful leaders talking about their work lives. As early in the coaching conversation as possible, there are the questions about life purpose and legacy. The “Why am I here?” and “What remains for me to accomplish?” introspective questions.
Sometimes these questions gain more currency when an executive is in the latter stages of their career and more than ready to talk about their dreams and aspirations. The even juicier conversations also pop-up as a rising star or someone with the courage to put things on pause looks ahead to what their future could and can look like.
Reflecting on many conversations I have held with very bright, ambitious, hard-working people, I would say the majority of leaders have not given the future the needed time to effectively prepare for their next chapter. Having said this, the financial or wealth management side of the question is typically well planned. It’s the “What am I going to do to be vibrant and do what calls me?” question that is the Achilles heel of the recipe for the future.
The transition from what you have done to what is it that you dream about doing is the essence of retirement. If anything, I sincerely hope that in reading this and future newsletters on this critical topic leverages you to start or restart the journey of mapping out what you see ahead in preparing for your next stage of life.
Recommended Reading:
- Harvard Business Review – “How to Launch a successful Portfolio Career?”
Colin
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We invite our readers to contact us to chat about retirement readiness.