An old college pal called to share the exciting news that he was going to be a grandfather. His voice was filled with happiness and excitement. For some reason, it started me thinking about the similarities between child birth and retirement from the viewpoint of a baby and a retiree.

Transitioning into retirement is like being a baby before it’s born. I must be getting old, I can’t remember much before I was born. But I can picture a baby pre-child birth sitting in a cozy, warm space, growing and sucking its thumb, unaware of the future that awaits.

As it gets closer to delivery day, the baby starts to realize things are changing, the space becomes a bit cramped, and they hear their mother’s comments about “tired of being pregnant” and “it’s time to be born”. The day finally arrives, and they realize they’re leaving their familiar space. It’s a bittersweet moment, as they’ve spent their entire life in that space.

Some of us were ready for this transition and embraced it with ease. It was like a natural part of life, and the delivery was no big deal. However, others of us found it more challenging. We may not have been ready, felt a bit scared or needed more time, so we resisted the change. We knew we had to go, but we held off for hours, usually kicking and screaming when we finally emerged.

This transition into retirement is similar to the one we face when we leave the workforce. Work and life centered around work may be all we know. For many of us, it’s like the warm and comfortable womb of our lives. But then, we start to realize that things are changing. We begin to think about when we should retire. Friends and colleagues ask us when we’ll make the change. Some of us are ready to embrace it, while others may not be.

Some of us have worked long enough and are ready for some deserved rest and relaxation. Others may not be ready yet and feel they need a few more years to prepare. The transition can be long and tiresome. We may not have done the necessary preparations to make the transition easier. While others genuinely enjoy their work and may not want to leave it behind, but that day will come, whether we’re ready for it or not, just like when we first came into this world.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that I’ve become more childlike. I’m not back to sucking my thumb or pooping my pants but I can’t do all the things I did just a few years ago. I know as the years progress, I will require more help and guidance from others no matter how hard I try to resist. Maybe there’s something to this idea of the Circle of Life. We start as new born babies kicking and screaming, grow up, transition into adulthood, and then eventually retire, becoming like babies again in our own way.

Thank you for taking time to read this article.

If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at www.feedback@wewaonthenet.com.

I’m also starting a YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@wewaonthenet  where I will be discussing various retirement topics and topics I come across that I think may be of interest. Check it out!

I’ve always kept my political views mostly to myself. After working in the corporate world for so long, I learned that politics can be a bit tricky. It’s like they discourage or don’t even want to hear about people’s personal opinions, especially if they differ from the company’s.

I was lucky to work for companies that had strong moral values and good corporate cultures. But over time, I started to notice some changes. The entrepreneurial spirit that made those companies great was starting to be pushed aside because of groupthink, company politics, and decisions made at the top level, not the local level. I believe that many of the best decisions are made at the local level, where you can actually talk to the customers and understand their needs. However, the trend seems to be corporate knows best.

And it’s not just business. It seems like more and more decisions are being made in Washington by the political elite, and they’re not always making the best choices. I’ve seen it happen in business, and I’m afraid it’s happening in politics too. It’s like they’re driven by politics, groupthink, and money, not by what’s best for the American people.

It’s sad because decisions that would be better made at the local level, where you can actually understand the problem and the people affected, are being made by politicians and bureaucrats who don’t even know where West Texas is.

Some government oversight is needed, but it should be just that. The federal government and its bureaucrats should focus on helping us live our lives, not telling us how to live. Remember, just like in business, it’s the people, not the government, that makes America great.

The whole idea of American exceptionalism and thought, especially if it’s different from the government or certain political parties, is not really encouraged or tolerated. Even my neighbor doesn’t want to hear my political opinions if they differ from his. It’s like we’re all living in our own little bubbles. Debate of ideas and politics may be a thing of the past.

While I kept my political views to myself, I now regret not being more vocal. I’m hopeful that things will change, but I realize that until I and many others like me start expressing our views, nothing will change. Just voting isn’t enough. We need to speak up, call or write our elected officials and let them know what we think. We all can do more!

Thank you for taking time to read this article.

If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at www.feedback@wewaonthenet.com.

I’m also starting a YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@wewaonthenet where I will be discussing various retirement topics and topics I come across that I think may be of interest. Check it out!

• I wish I had included my wife more in the retirement process. I failed to consider how much me retiring would affect her and her lifestyle.
• I also realize how much work had become my identity. Since retirement, I’ve had to find a new sense of identity and purpose in life.
• Health and mortality awareness have become really important to me. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.
• Lastly, having to create a new social network. I’ve been surprised how little time I spend with my friends I worked with for years.

• Reflecting on Experience: Retirement provides the time and space to reflect on a lifetime of experiences. This reflection allows us to recognize patterns, understand the consequences of our actions, and learn valuable lessons from past experiences. This is where knowledge transforms into wisdom.
• Prioritizing Meaning Over Achievement: The pursuit of professional achievement often overshadowed the search for personal meaning. Retirement offers the opportunity to reassess our values and priorities. Wisdom guides us to focus on what truly matters, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing personal passions, or contributing to our communities.
• Navigating Uncertainty with Grace and Resilience: Retirement can bring uncertainty. Health challenges, changing social dynamics, and the loss of a familiar routine, as in my case, can create anxiety. Wisdom helps us navigate these uncertainties with grace and resilience. It allows us to accept what we cannot control and focus on what we can.
• Sharing Accumulated Wisdom: One of the most fulfilling aspects of retirement is the opportunity to share accumulated wisdom with others. Mentoring younger generations, volunteering, or simply offering a listening ear can be profoundly rewarding. This sharing of wisdom can create a legacy that extends beyond material possessions.
• Cultivating Inner Peace: The pressures of a career can often leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Retirement provides the opportunity to cultivate inner peace through practices like meditation, mindfulness, or spending time outdoors. Wisdom allows us to find contentment and appreciate the simple joys of life.

• Actively seeking out new experiences and perspectives.
• Engaging in meaningful conversations with others.
• Practicing gratitude and appreciating the present moment.
• Embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with aging.

I just got back from taking two of our Grandsons to Basketball Camp.

Josh who runs the camp every Christmas break is not only a very good Basketball Coach but also a Great Motivator. Each day of the camp he presents the group with a lesson or message of the day.

Today’s lesson was having a goal. He began by asking the kids what they wanted to be when they grow up. The answers ranged from Horse Rider to Engineer. It surprised me not one wanted to be a Pro Basketball player.

Josh continued by asking how many went to sleep last night by nine o’clock. A few raised their hands. Again he asked how many went to sleep by ten o’clock. Most raised their hands. Again he asked how many went to sleep after eleven o’clock. The rest raised their hands looking tired and sleepy. After all, this was their Christmas Break and I would expect them to stay up late and sleep-in in the mornings.

He then began the lesson. To reach their goal when they grow up they must begin by developing and having good habits. He shared his goal was to be a pro basketball player. He would get up at 4:30 in the morning and go to the gym. Shoot hundreds of shots, lift weights, eat lunch, take a nap then back to the gym for more practice and a couple of hours of scrimmages. He was to bed early each night so he would be well rested for the next day. He did this everyday during his summer vacations. Not only did he become a very good College Basketball player  he did play some Professional Basketball before becoming a Coach and Teacher. It was the good habits he developed, learned and used each day that helped him reach his goal.

While sitting there listening to Josh talk to the kids I found myself thinking what good habits I wish I had developed at their age. It also got me thinking, I probably need to work on developing some new habits now that I’m retired.

“Retirement is almost like when I was a kid. Being a little bit scared but still excited by not fully knowing what the future will bring.”

I guess if Josh would have asked me what I want to be when I grow up I hope I would have said to have a healthy and productive retirement. To be the best I can be in my remaining years.

To meet this goal I will need to make sure I’m maintaining and developing good retirement habits and goals like:

• Getting plenty of sleep
• Exercising each morning and remaining active
• Trying to learn something new every day
• Working to maintain good social connections with family and friends
• Finding ways to pass on the lessons I’ve learned over the years to our Kids and Grandkids
• Limiting the Cookies and Ice Cream

It would be easy to develop bad habits in retirement. Almost like the kids that were staying up late and wanting to  sleep late in the morning instead of getting up and going to camp. In retirement it’s Christmas break everyday.

At the end of the lesson Josh returned to his question of what time did you go to bed last night. He told them to be the best at whatever they wanted to be would require them to be well rested before starting each day. He asked the group to raise their hands and commit to try to get to bed early and be ready and well rested for camp the rest of the week. I believe all agreed.

Even old grandad sitting in the stands raised his hand a little.
Like I said earlier, Josh is a Great Motivator.

I don’t know what I was thinking.  I either forgot or didn’t see the need last year to set goals for this past year. Heck, I was retired and could do what I wanted. What would be the point of going through the time and effort of goal setting?
Boy, was I wrong!

Now, I find myself questioning if I had set some good goals would the past year been any different? I have no doubt with a better retirement plan and good set of goals my transition from work to retirement would have been less stressful and more enjoyable. (I’m planning on discussing  ” What I Should Have Given More Thought Before Retiring”  in a future post)

If Goal setting was so important and beneficial in my working life why would I think I no longer needed to set some good Smart goals now that I’m retired.

For most of my sales career, the last couple of weeks in December, I along with our sales team would take time to reflect on the past year, review last years sales and personal goals and develop 3 to 5 good meaningful Smart goals for the upcoming year.  Goal setting didn’t stop there. We would review our goals quarterly and make any needed changes throughout the year. This process helped us define our purpose and direction for the year.

Annual planning in retirement my be one of the most important exercises you can do for yourself when retired.

If the thought of setting goals causes your blood pressure to rise or you have never been successful setting goals in the past let’s look at it another way. Maybe in retirement we should look at it as an annual plan. Just plan 3 to 5 things (goals) you need or would like to achieve over the next 12 months that would make a difference in your life. If things change during the year you can adjust your plan or modify your goals. As you get better at goal setting or planning you will find less changes are needed.

Keys to a Successful Retirement

Many think three keys to a successful retirement are Money, Health and Time.
I think these keys are a good place to start in the annual planning or goal setting process:

Money – review last year’s income and expenses, anticipate this year and future years needs and wants, then set a goal and make a plan to reach your goal. You probably already have your financial plan in place, so now is a good to to review it and make changes as needed. If you have an advisor you may have already had your annual meeting and have this plan in place. If not, do not skip this step as it’s most critical for a successful retirement.

Health – This may be the hardest of  the three keys to plan. You need to give an honest evaluation of your health. Over the past year what has changed? Are there any medical procedures needed for the next couple of years? What can you do to improve your health? Now’s the time to make the plan. If there is an surgery or procedure needed, plan when you want to have it. If you need to lose a little weight or want to start walking every day, set your goal, make a plan and get to it. I’m thinking if I can do good on this goal I may squeak out an extra year or two of healthy living.

Time – How much time do we have in retirement is the great unknown but what I do know is every year that passes is one less year I have to live. Time is why I think goal setting or annual planning is so important. If we have a limited amount of time why would we not plan to spend it as wisely as we can?  Maybe you have a bucket list of things to do in retirement. With good planning you may be able to empty the bucket before your time runs out. Without a good plan your bucket list may only be a bucket of dreams.

I’m leaving it to you to come up with 2 additional Smart Goals that will make a difference in your life.

You may already have daily, weekly or monthly plans. You may already have your goals and plans in place and do not need this nudge or encouragement to get started. The point of this is to use this time to think big. Reflect on the past year but plan on what you can do this next year to enrich your life in the future. I think a goal without a written plan to get there is just a wish. Write your goals down and share them with others who will help hold you accountable.

If this is your first attempt at annual goal setting and planning you will be surprised the benefits and what you can accomplish. If goal setting has always been an important part of your past there is no sense to stop now.

For a review on Setting Goals and Smart Goals check out a blog post I wrote A Goal Setting Refresher back in 2013.

Let’s get to work and get those goals set!