Designing your Dream Lifestyle and Retirement

Introduction

Hi, I’m Jean, born slightly ahead of the “Baby Boomers”. I changed my career in my 50’s from administration to career counsellor, and am enjoying the so-called “post-retirement years” in the Bay of Plenty, working, playing and generally having fun! I love to share my story and pass on tips that have been helpful to me.

My retirement planning began over 15 years ago when, returning with my husband from a wonderful holiday in Noumea, our kind stewardess conveyed an announcement by the NZ Government that the age at which the NZ retirement pension would be given was being raised from 60 to 65 years.   We thought of asking the pilot to turn the plane round!  

Well, like most things that are difficult at the time, it proved to be a godsend. My immediate reaction was that although I loved my role as a busy administration assistant, I didn’t want to continue full-time for another 13 years. I had planned to continue until I was 60 and then maybe go part-time in a change of work. Also, we definitely wanted to get out of Auckland and live in a smaller place close to the beach. So I had to rethink what I would do 60 – 65 and onwards, especially as there was talk that the age of entitlement may be extended to 70 years.

I happened to hear that my company, Auckland University of Technology, was setting up a Career Centre and with it the opportunity to study towards a Graduate Diploma in Career Development.  Intrigued, but nervous, I started back to study while still working full-time and with two elderly parents to care for. I soon realised how much I enjoyed career counselling work. My previous 10 years as a volunteer counsellor working with a Child Abuse Prevention organisation helped with this career change.  The qualification I gained (Grad Dip Career Development) led to part time work at The Career Centre, where I enjoyed the variety and satisfaction of meeting a wide range of clients, from international young students to older clients who wanted a change to lifestyle balance.

Knowing how much more fun study was as an older student, and learning some great tips for planning workable strategies, I set up my own company Partners in Potential, and specialise in workshops for older clients who seek work-life balance and retirement planning. My favourite workshops are called “Rainbow Redirections” where I help clients explore and share together the vast range of ideas and possibilities that make for happiness and fulfilment in our “Third Age”.

My own experience is that by thinking of retirement early enough, being open to new learning and getting out of one’s ‘comfort zone’ one can enjoy this stage of life with enthusiasm.

The 5 ingredients for Happiness at any Age:

• Enough $$$
• Good Health
• Fulfilling mental activity
• A wide network of friends
• Setting achievable goals

All of which we may currently gain from our paid work activities, but need still to consider when we are retired.

So over the next few weeks I plan to look at these with you and suggest some really useful strategies for making a good personal, achievable plan, and ways of keeping motivated.

Just a quick look at each of those 5 in turn:

Enough Money

Enough is the important word. Enough for what? Only you can say what you really want in your lifestyle. Financial Advisors may or may not be helpful in advising you on where to invest money, but no matter how much you have if you haven’t evaluated what you really want, you will always feel unsatisfied.

Health

You may feel that good health is something you no longer have. But, you can maintain and improve your level of fitness. Exercise does wonders for our overall sense of wellbeing. Use it or lose it! Even people in wheelchairs can learn to expand their lungs and feel stronger.

Stimulating Mental Activity

Mental health comes from challenging yourself to try new things each day, month and year. Don’t become bored with your life. Consider the huge variety of short courses and workshops on offer and choose those which really appeal to you. Don’t say “I can’t”, say “I will check it out”.

A Wide Network of Friends

Research has shown that those old people who rely solely on family are not as happy as those who have wide networks of contacts. Family may see you as a duty, rather than seeing you as an interesting person they want to be with. So consider volunteering for an organisation which appeals to you, and you may well find a host of friends waiting to be made. (this happened to me!)

Setting Achievable Goals

Once you have goals in your life, you have motivation to get out of bed in the morning! Thinking of short-term and long-term goals gives a sense of satisfaction and achievement that may have been part of your work life. Why waste your life by only setting goals at work. Enjoyable retirement for me came from setting many goals and planning along the way.  Keeping a journal, which was part of my study programme, became a way of life and a way of tracking that I am on course to make the most of my opportunities.

Next Time

Strategies to work out what you really want to do with the rest of your life. A simple card game will show you the many options and opportunities, and prompt you to look widely at how you would like to plan your pre-retirement and retirement years.
 

Published 3rd Jun 2010

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