About five years ago I began to give consideration to my retirement and what that would mean for me. Up to that point I had two careers: the first, lasting 15 years as a stay-at-home mom; the other as a 20-year seasoned executive in the high-tech industry. For 35 years, my focus was serving others. After 60 seconds of contemplation, I determined that I wanted the next part of my life to provide more satisfaction for me, and the opportunity to enjoy my family, friends, and travel. 

Since being challenged is critical to my state of contentment, I wanted to find a new kind of work. Like most busy traveling executives, much time had passed since I had last assessed my personal goals. It wasn’t until my retirement date was set that I started to look seriously at my interests and desires and consider what “retirement” would look like – day in and day out – for me.

I began researching the topic and started with The New Retirement by Dr. Richard P. Johnson, the former president of the American Association for Adult Development and Aging and the current president of Retirement Options. Dr. Johnson reports that in the U.S. alone, more than 10,000 people retire everyday and most can expect to live 30 years in this new phase of their life. The average first retirement age is now somewhere around 57, and the old retirement model of people stopping work at 65 is all but gone. Dr. Johnson writes in his book: “The ‘new retirement’ is not an ending; it’s a new beginning, the start of a new life journey of vastly expanded proportions.”

This sets the stage for rewiring. The new retirement can be a completely self-directed and growth-focused lifestyle fashioned from the mix of financial, social, relationship, family, leisure, and spiritual needs. We can be free to enter and exit work projects, leisure interests, educational pursuits, travel, and any other endeavors that have been identified as part of the dream retirement. This all sounded great…but what did it mean specifically for me?

Shortly after my retirement, I had the opportunity to take the Retirement Success Profile (RSP), an assessment designed by Dr. Johnson. The results of my RSP provided me with the foundation to embark on this new life stage. I wish I had done it sooner. Rewiring myself from a senior vice president and corporate officer of a Fortune 100 company to my “new retirement” would mean that I define myself in a whole new way:

Professional

I am now a small business owner, running a small personal and professional coaching firm. In addition, I am a student – gaining new credentials along the way; and whether I choose to be or not – my new company requires that I now be a website designer, too! And I thought my professional career had come to an end! Ha! I’ve only just begun, but this is way more fun – this is about my stimulation!

Family & Friends

Those of you who are grandmothers can surely relate to this: a major goal of mine – planned and scheduled – is to have five visits with my grandchildren each year. In addition, my husband and I have reconnected with three “old friends” we haven’t seen in 10 years. Yes, this rewiring is about enjoying my family and friends.

Personal and Self Care

I wanted the time I spent on me to be time that contributed to my wellness and self-care. Thus my plan includes exercising daily, eating a balanced diet, taking two great vacations a year, and reading anything I want whenever I want. Oh yes! This focus on me has been good for my waistline, as well as my clarity of mind!

Community Involvement

Something that brings me great satisfaction is giving back to my community. But like many who serve in corporate America, my work and travel obligations just didn’t allow me the flexibility to volunteer. However, in my rewired world I oversee grant proposals for a local hospital foundation board and am chairperson for a national not-for-profit fund raiser focused on children. Yes. Life is full.

The planning I have done has certainly transformed my world. This has been a time of personal growth and giving back. The RSP process helped me so much that I decided to become a certified RSP-trained Retirement Coach. This has been a great addition to my professional and personal coaching practice. 

Many of my friends have found themselves “lost” during the first few years of retirement. I hope my experience encourages you to plan intentionally as you look forward to rewiring the next phase of your life. Baby boomers – you may have another 30 years to reach your dreams. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Elliot

Terry Bazzone is President and Founder of The New Horizons Group. Terry has over 20 years’ business experience. She has served as a corporate officer at a Fortune 100 company; her experience also spans entrepreneurial, small business, and not-for-profit organizations. Terry is a member of the International Coach Federation and the Tampa Bay Professional Coach Association, and is a certified RSP-trained Retirement Coach. You can reach Terry at terry@thenewhorizonsgroup.com or at 727-463-3591.