You've heard most of them before. They seem like
well-meaning retirement advice. But, BEWARE. The
following illusions, delusions and downright lies about
retirement can be dangerous to your retirement well-being:
1. If you have enough money, your retirement will take care
of itself.
WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. This is the biggest and most
dangerous lie about retirement. Of course, money is
important. Yet, money is only one of 15 "must haves" for a
thriving retirement. Focusing only on the tangible
financial aspects of retirement and ignoring the other,
less tangible, "must haves" is a prescription for disaster.
While taking charge of your life, having dreams for the
future, and a purpose that pulls you out of bed in the
morning are not as quantifiable as, say, $1.3 million in
assets, they are just as crucial.
2. You lost your shirt in the stock market and you'll have
to work seven years after your dead in order to afford to
retire.
Maybe, if you're buying into the conventional wisdom that
you'll need 80% of your current income to maintain your
current lifestyle. But, honestly, are you that crazy about
your current lifestyle?
Don't delude yourself into thinking you have to keep doing
what you're doing just because you don't have enough money.
Jump out of that narrow box you're in. Be bold. Think
big. There are lots of great ways to supplement your
retirement income (i.e. seasonal employment) and/or create
new revenue streams beyond your wildest imagination (i.e.
packaging what you already know and selling it).
Not feeling especially bold? Then answer the question:
"What's enough"? and you just may find you can retire on a
lot less and enjoy life a lot more.
3. You can't afford to live a meaningful life.
Understand this. You can't afford NOT to live a meaningful
life. In fact, it's essential to a thriving retirement --
right up at the top of the list with the "must have" of
money. And, it doesn't matter if you're rolling in dough
and have all the free time in the world, or if you need to
get financially creative in the "third half" of life and
create new sources of income.
Figure out what would be the most fulfilling and
invigorating for you, follow your heart's desire, and
pursue your goals with gusto. Write that book, start a
business, get behind a cause, or (fill in the blank.)
You owe it to yourself to take the time in your retirement
planning to discover a clearly defined purpose -- one that
enriches your world and puts a great big smile on your face.
4. You've worked hard all your life and now you deserve to
rest and play.
Research shows that the traditional "all play, no purpose"
retirement can be deadly. Sure you enjoy your leisure time
and need your rest, but are you ready for that proverbial
pasture quite yet? Remember, in order for leisure to be
leisure, it must be a diversion. So, if that's all there is
in your life, what (and where) is the purpose?
Instead of designing a life of only leisure, design a
leisurely lifestyle that not only rejuvenates your spirit,
but fills your life with meaning. (See #3)
5. Your partner will be thrilled to join you in traveling
around the country in an RV, playing golf 24/7, and/or...
Think again, because it's highly likely that you're not
even remotely on the same wavelength. Again, it's really
important to take time in your planning. Find out what
your partner expects from retirement long before you
retire. And while you're at it, make a commitment to the
health and growth of your relationship, now, before you
retire. It's impossible to have a happy retirement if
you're in a dismal relationship.
6. Retirement means the end of life as you've known it.
Don't be fooled into thinking that what you do in your
present life is more important than who you'll be in your
retirement. How will you spend the precious gift of the
next 30+ years? You could crawl in a hole and pull the dirt
in over you. Or, you could make each day a grand new
adventure.
Seize the opportunity to grow and stretch into the best
possible you. By moving away from the materialistic "What
am I", of your pre-retirement life and moving toward the
more spiritual "Who am I", you'll be traveling on the path
of a rejuvenating and revitalizing retirement.
7. You're too old to make a difference.
Baloney! Okay, you're not as young as you used to be, and
the world is a great big mess. But, don't just sit there.
Dare to dream. You may not be able to end world hunger, but
you could end hunger on your block or in your community.
And, if you happen to stumble upon a way to end world
hunger in the process, more power to you.
What's important is that you harness your amazing wisdom,
resources, creativity, brilliance and ingenuity to impact
your small corner of the planet. What are you waiting for?
----------------------------------------------------
Certified Retirement Coach Lin Schreiber, author of The
Retirement Re-Tool Kit, helps baby boomers revolutionize
and redefine their ideas about how they will live life in
retirement. To claim your free Boomer Transition Kit and
copy of 88 Tips for Planning A Healthy, Happy, Enriching
Retirement Life, visit her site at
http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com
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