Can We Talk?

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Alan Spector is an author, business consultant, baseball player, traveler, and grandfather.  He has authored five published books, including, with coauthor Keith Lawrence, Your Retirement Quest: 10 Secrets for Creating and Living a Fulfilling Retirement (www.YourRetirementQuest.com).  Alan and Keith conduct workshops across the country helping prospective and current retirees plan the non-financial aspects of their retirement—to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives.  Alan’s latest book, Body Not Recovered, is a work of historical fiction from the Vietnam War/Protest Movement era, and it has deep St. Louis roots.

By Alan Spector
Published March 29, 2016

This past week, two friends approached me:

Friend One: “There are a lot of things that I have on my list to do in retirement, but I can’t seem to get going.  I have a lot of bored time.  Can we talk?”

Friend Two: “I just can’t figure out what to do now that I’m retired.  Nothing seems to excite me.  I’m bored.  Can we talk?”

The good news is that each of them recognizes they need to take action.  The risks of not doing so are significant.  There is a stage of retirement we call “Disenchantment.”  Even those who are thriving in retirement sometimes slip into this pit.  Those who are not thriving, perhaps being self-described as “bored,” may spend longer times in Disenchantment and may even get stuck there.

This is where symptoms of depression can set in.  Both physical and emotional issues can arise.  Retirees may become isolated as they spend more time at home, maybe in front of the television.  We’ve seen statistics for the average number of hours a retiree watches television each week as being as high as 49.  Sure, television is OK, but when it or other passive time becomes the predominant activity, risks increase.  

For now, ask yourself, “Am I living the fullest and most fulfilling retirement possible?  If not, what can I do about it?”

If you’re not yet retired, change the question, “Am I prepared for what could be the biggest transition in my life and for living the fullest and most fulfilling retirement possible?  If not, what can I do about it?”

Learn more about the stages of retirement; learn what can contribute to a full and fulfilling retirement; and learn how to plan for the life you deserve.  I have a book I can recommend to you.  Can we talk?