Filling a time void after retirement is akin to changing your college major. Tap into childhood dreams and aspirations to reconnect with your creative side and to set personal goals. The sky’s the limit when it comes to fulfilling a life’s dream.
Nostalgia plays a big part in life fulfillments, as many attempt to recapture the magic of their youth, which may have been cut short by the reality of past events, such as enlistment in the military or a starting a family earlier than expected. For instance, a large amount of retirees dedicate themselves to a long term goal that centers on the restoration of their dream machine. A social offshoot can include vintage auto clubs and car shows that connect with other people of similar age and interests. Others may feel it’s time to sing the lyrics ‘Life is But a Dream,’ while sailing beneath a moonlit sky with their beloved, and may discover their love for celestial star gazing in the process. A former accountant may choose to release his inner musician by taking up acoustical guitar as a long- term personal goal, only to discover his nephew enjoys the same kind of music. If participation in an annual fishing rodeo is on your long-term radar, plan ahead with short-term goals to mentally and physically train for the event. Invite a relative or a few friends to share in the excitement and to buddy-up for the event.
The diagram below is an example of how to apply specific short and long-term goals to the five elements outlined in this book. By setting and tracking goals, you will increase your odds of achieving them.
Life stages create age-appropriate goals. By retirement, personal goals shift direction toward the end game. We often approach senior life with the objective of scaling down our living spaces, our careers, and our personal commitments, and began to reap the benefits of our lifetime. You may simply want to aim for the seclusion and peace that was evasive for previous decades. This may work in the beginning of your retirement, but over time can slowly whittle away your vitality and zest for life.
Consumptive happiness comes not from sowing, but from reaping, not from building the house, but from relaxing in your new living room. Although this type of gratification often comes from planning and hard work, many discover that once achieved, it can leave us feeling bored. Take action before complacency sets in. Do whatever it takes to stay out of sedentary quicksand, including setting goals and tracking their progress.