Now that retirement has come knocking, how prepared are you?
There are many retirees seeking re-employment without much success. They are harping on statements made by the government and Human Resource practitioners that retirees have a wealth of experience which can still benefit the industry.
If these retirees have such a wealth of experience, they should realize that these are just “politically correct statements”.
If their experience is so important to the organization, why were they retired off?
Even before retirement, many will find that younger staff do not want to learn from their experience, calling them archaic and outdated.
Advertisement
So instead of bellyaching, why not move forward.
How?
-
Have you chatted with someone in his last days? What are his regrets?
You will get answers like “should have spent more time with family”, “should have gone for more holidays”, “should have gone parasailing”, “should have gone for the Alaskan cruise”, “should have……”, “should have……”. -
Do you have friends who died or fell critically ill while still working?
Do you realize that they do not have a chance to enjoy retirement? - I have a friend who is widowed, and another friend who is about to be widowed. Both told me to love my wife and spend time with her before it is too late.
Plan your retirement.
Make a bucket list.
- Start with your immediate family.
Date your spouse again.
Connect with children and grandchildren. - Extended family members.
Connect back with them.
Make peace with those with “baggage”. - Meet up with old school friends.
Join/organize class reunions. They make you feel 16 again. - Do things for yourself.
- Visit museums, exhibitions, sit by the beach, watch the sunset.
- Pick up a skill. Learn to play the guitar/ukulele. A friend learnt to play the organ at 82.
- Pick up a language. If you go to Thailand often, learn basic Thai.
- Physical activity. Something which you enjoy doing, to do regularly. Employ a coach to learn to swim, a personal trainer, etc.
- Acts of service.
I was thinking of volunteering with eldercare, etc.
Then I realized that I am surrounded by the elderly. A widowed mother, widowed aunt, single aunt, single sibling, single/widowed/divorced friends. Friends who are bedridden, blind, Parkinsons, cancer, dementia, etc. Visit them. Bring them out for lunch, or an outing, etc.
Wishing you a happy and meaningful retirement.
