I’m often asked in my retirement life-planning workshops, “What’s the best way to get started on creating a fulfilling retirement life?”  

Originally, my response was something like, “There’s no one best way to get started.  A fulfilling retirement life occurs when you have a diverse portfolio of meaningful things to do, not unlike having a diverse investment portfolio.  So, get started on what works best for you, but don’t stop with just a single activity.”

That’s still true, but I’ve added to my response, and it goes something like this, “That being said, one great way to get started is to find a volunteer opportunity that suits you.  Why?  Because, volunteering is fulfilling in its own right, and it helps you bring some of the other aspects of a fulfilling retirement into your life—like pursuing your passions and building relationships.”

In fact, there’s a way to think about how to decide what your volunteer interests might be.  You want to know what that is?  Let’s talk about it.

This year’s St. Louis Jewish Light Primetime Expo, Better Living for Baby Boomers and Senior Adults, will be held at the J (Staenberg Campus in Creve Coeur) on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  I have the opportunity to discuss how volunteering (Giving Back) can be “One Key to Personal Fulfillment.”  

My session is from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.  Come join me to learn what all of the key elements of a fulfilling retirement are and to then focus on volunteering and how to think about what your interests might be.

We’ll have a good time with the subject, and then you can go enjoy the rest of Primetime Expo.