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By Yvonne Volante
You just got your special gold pin, an expensive watch and a
bonus check more than anyone else's at this year's company
Christmas party.
Who are you? This doesn't require three guesses. You are the
about-to-be-retired, or the expected-to-retire employee.
Everyone applauds, your company president makes a jaunty,
tongue-in-cheek speech about you and your abilities, and
you're
basking in the spotlight.
Or are you?
Sometimes, the feeling of retirement isn't equivalent to, say,
the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Retired." Maybe you're not
rich, and maybe you're not ready to retire, even if you are
doing well financially and would have enough to live on should
you choose to retire.
But that's just the thing: What's "mandatory retirement" all
about, anyway? What's this about moving us out of the work
force when we reach a certain age? Do any of these things
really make sense? Isn't everyone different, and doesn't
everyone have different goals, dreams, and ideals in life?
Forget "mandatory," and think about what you really want to
do.
Having a purpose in life is what gives living its spark, for
heaven's sake. Why usher you gently out the door if you're
just
not ready to go?
But "mandatory retirement" is the reason that 50 percent of
all
people who retire from a full-time career seek out an
alternate
job within the first six months of retirement.
According to the American Association of Retired Persons
(which
should certainly know), half of those retirees get a full-time
job. Others decide to either work for themselves (what better
time to start your own business?) or pursue a part-time job.
And the primary reason for this desire to continue to work
won't likely be lost on anyone: Retirement, for many, equals
BOREDOM.
Whatever you do, whether it's just enjoying lying on the couch
and watching old films or joining clubs and reconnecting with
people and the community in ways you never had time to before,
or if you want to pursue a completely new field, this is
imperative: You MUST do something that makes you happy, that
genuinely will please you. You must WANT to get out of bed to
go to work; forget the burdens of the past 30-something years
or so -- now is the time to be content and just enjoy
yourself.
Ideally, this new work of yours should also require effort on
your part to achieve. If it's too easy, you will still be
bored.
Friends and relatives will be sure to make lists for you,
should you not know what to do with yourself as a "retired
person." They might suggest you do things like build a
backyard
patio; get a part-time gig as a night-shift security officer,
take up golf, or, above all, TRAVEL!
Those well-meaning friends and relatives just don't get it.
They do sincerely want the best for you, but you don't want
their best ideas. You have them yourself.
Just consider your life-long hobbies and interests and put
them
to use in any environment you please. Please! This is the only
chance you may ever have to do exactly what you want! Seize
it!
Here's another plus: Say you take a job, go through some
training, then two days later, you just hate it. Here before
you is the very first time in your life that you can just quit
a job if you don't want to do it. You've earned it, so walk
out! Of course, you'd want to be polite about it, but
honestly,
that's real freedom!
See how many advantages there are to retirement? The trick is
finding the right "flavor" for your personality. And when you
do, you'll have the time of your life.
About The Author: Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of
retirement and writes for retirementfx.com, which is the
premier retirement resource on the internet. You can see all
of
the articles over at www.retirementfx.com
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