We may be finding that there are more reasons to just “get out” these days than in prior fall seasons. How you “choose” to spend your time plays a large part in the quality of your life. I say “choose” because making a choice is an intentional act. We have the ability to shape our lives when we make intentional decisions on how we spend our time and who we spend it with.
I have the opportunity to engage many people at a time in their lives when they are contemplating or actuating a significant life transition: retirement. For some it is very much an intentional action. For others, it’s a result of extenuating circumstances. Either way, like it or not, how they spend their time and who they spend it with, is probably going to change in a rather significant way. I have found that many, if not most retirees, fall into one of two groups of people. Those that have a real vision for their new life and those that have little to none at all.
Retirement can be as much, if not more, an emotional transition as it is a financial one. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it many more times. Money is but one tool that we use to create the lives we want. In order to maximize the value of money, to put that money to its best and highest use, we must first know what it is we want our money to do for us (have a PLAN). Which requires us to know what we want to do with us, and in my experience few people have never taken the time to genuinely contemplate that idea. Contemplating one’s life (in retirement) is certainly not something someone is going to wrap up in a 90-minute meeting. Sure, everyone wants to pay their bills and not run out of money. That’s a retirement plan given; I would hope. What do you really want with the time you have here? What does it mean to you and your family? Living an intentional life does take effort. It’s a key element that makes it easier to prioritize your energy, your money and your most precious asset, your time.
You wouldn’t lend someone money without considering the risks. You wouldn’t borrow money without considering the cost. Do you lend people your time that don’t or aren’t deserving? Do you “borrow” time from yourself or your family and give it to your career or the television? What’s the cost? In retirement, like your working life, you will be faced with choices. Choices that involve your money and your time. Choose wisely, choose intentionally.