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Retirement or Realignment
Retirement or Realignment. Retire or Realign, it is time to decide. Education takes us places, we evolve, and we set out to fulfil expectations, our own and of people who are our own. We give our share to the family, the organization and the society at large, and then we would like to keep doing so till it lasts. There is a comfort in the fact that our time, talent and leadership is needed. But howsoever young one may feel at heart, there comes a time that we must retire. I will say must, because that is the case, we have to retire and step aside and make way for the next generation. Unless the predecessor steps aside how will be successor step in to take over the responsibilities and start to enjoy his or her life at being at the helm of affairs. Retirement is not optional, it is mandatory. We have to step down, or step aside and let someone else take the centre stage. In Indian context as one becomes 60 give and take a few years, it is time to retire and leave the centre stage. I am talking about the general average individual, yes there are exceptions, octogenarians who are working wonderfully still being at the centre of affairs. This article is about embracing retirement and realigning to lead a meaningful content life.
Retirement is inevitable, realignment is a choice. On an average one works about forty years, and these forty years are like roller coaster ride, there are challenges, new heights to achieve, family, career, societal status, health and hobbies, you name it and we chase it, all these forty plus years are action packed purpose filled, or as they seem to be. An average Indian person as he or she reaches early seventies, would have closed or completed so called basic responsibilities, like, buying a house, an automobile, children’s education and marriage, some pilgrimage, looking after ailing parents, and a little saving in PPF, bonds, FDs, rental income, small business, and of course life insurance. Anyone who has done this much is considered lived well. Imagine this. I am sixty, a widow, retired from a private job, moderate saving and rental income and fit to live another decade or more, and if you are anyone like me, you have this coming, Life looks at you in your face, and you wonder what next? The kids have their own life and related struggle and you do not wish to (and I recommend you should not even think of) do their life. I would like to take you through a journey on the road from Retirement to Realignment.
Retirement does not surprise you, so it is easy to plan for it. Let us look at the steps to move into the right direction after retirement. We will be discussing 5 steps and 1 rule.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 01: Celebrate completion of employment.
Retirement or Realignment. Close to retirement, the last few week at work are always emotional, all those disagreements, likes and dislikes are remembered and its nostalgic to relive, whether you have worked in one organization or multiple, employment life is a warfare, you have fought battles, won some and lost some, but the time has come to leave the battel ground, so cherish the memories, be grateful for the time spent, close the chapter with gratitude and humbleness. Remember people may not remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel. So let go off any ego hassle, say sorry when it is still time, give thanks to all. Show appreciation and thank people genuinely for their contribution in your employment life and then as they say hang your boots…. Celebrate time well spent. Celebrate your experience of employment, celebrate your resilience, perseverance and patience. Celebrate success. You just have completed employment, the second phase of Life has begun, so look forward and buckle up for the next ride.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 02: Manage Finance
Realigning life is a step we all need to plan ahead of time. It is most important to get a clear picture of the financial situation. The sooner one does it, the better it is. Look at your finances, ensure that all debts are cleared, reset your budget, prioritise your expenses. Now that a regular monthly salary will not be getting credited, check you inflow of funds, look at the pension if you have one, or the rental income, or the interest any other sources of income that you have, align your income and ensure that you have a close eye on it. If you have not made it so far, make a habit of keeping an account of your expenses. It takes time to get used to the fact that the salary account will not be getting monthly credits, get accustomed to it. Plan your income and expenses and set accounting practices.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 03: Take out the bucket list.
Retirement or Realignment. Enjoy your retirement and realign your energies. You may haves some big expenses still to be done, as getting a child married, but even if there are responsibilities, it is only right to take out the bucket list and fulfil one of the desires. I remember when I pulled out the list, I had almost forgotten how much I wished to see the Taj Mahal in the moonlight, it was there, hidden in some corner, never got the priority, but as I retired, I took a good nice long tour to Agra and did see the Taj in moonlight, not only once but a couple of times, and I can assure you, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences. Take out your bucket list, things that you wanted to do, learning to play a music instrument, a new language, dance, painting, there are plenty of things we desire as young adults and never get enough time, energy, inclination or even the aspiration to do it, so here is the time, after you retire, take out your bucket list, and complete a few of them. It will not only revive you, it will give you a new lease of life, a new wave of fulfilment, a new you, a much evolved and happy you.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 04: Remain relevant.
Retirement or Realignment. Retirement does not throw you under a bus, you keep realigning A happy mind learns faster, now that you have had few desires fulfilled from your bucket list, buckle up to learn new things, pick up a recent skill. These days technological know-how is most relevant, so pick up a technical skill, learn a computer language, learn programming, learn to work on digital media, use of artificial intelligence, data mining and many more, there is a sea of opportunities out there, so learn a new skill, keep yourself relevant, know the today and now. There are many websites where you can learn many technical skills for free, for example, Learn python from you can learn AI, Chat GPT from Adobe also has many online courses for free, there are Apps like Duolingo to learn a new language. Learn a new skill keep yourself relevant. And if you haven’t so far, create a digital profile, be on the social media, it’s a whole world out there to be explored, so go digital. Be realigned.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 05: Stay Healthy
Physical fitness it the first key realignment move. Health is wealth, we learnt this as small children, needless to say that it is all the more important to remain healthy now as we age, so take all preventive medical tests as a routine, ensure that the vitals are in good standing, and if you are on lifestyle medication like blood pressure, sugar or thyroid, then keep constant check, stay connected with your doctor, keep a record of medications and tests, remember it is your health and you are primarily responsible for it. So that good care of your health, consider redesigning your diet, eat healthy, do some form of exercise, take up a sport, or simply walk, keep a check on your weight and vitals. Stay healthy, revive and redesign your life, from retirement to realignment.
Retirement or Realignment. Step 06: Rule of 4C : Connect, collaborate, create, contribute:
Connect
Your experience is expensive, remember you earned it by investing forty good years, so cherish it, value it and use it for the betterment of those around you. Do not shy away from going out and meeting people, connect with like-minded people irrespective of their age, the world is smaller today than it was for us, so connect with people all across the globe, get to know people, share your experience, be ready to assist, coach, listen and advice, and you will see yourself at the centre, a different and more meaningful centre this time. Don’t stay isolated, go out and meet others.
Collaborate
Realign and synergise with people around you. Those who were to judge you, have already done that and now there is nothing more to be judged, you do not have to prove yourself, so go out collaborate with like-minded people, find a common cause, share purposeful targets, work towards helping others, serve the underserved, look at people around you, reach out the those who need help, make small groups, collaborate and be available to support, be there for those who need help. Realign from self to selfless. Move from retirement to realignment from me to others.
Create
To realign may sound daunting, but it is always good to look back and create. Create a resource bank, it need not be necessarily financial resources, it could be training, access to a library, mentoring young adults, counselling, networking or any other such platform. Imagine creating a resource bank, a one stop solution for all soft skills trainings, how beneficial it will be for those who are in dire need. And this is just one example, there can be many, so put your resources to optimum utilization, collaborate with others and create a platform, a resource bank, move from end of employment to alignment of resources, give a new meaning and purpose to your employment experience. Move from retirement to realignment
Retirement or Realignment. Contribute
How would you like to be remembered, often people ask this, whatever one may say the truth remains that people will remember you for what you did to them and how you made them feel. So contribute towards the development of others, if you have crossed sixty and are healthy with not much financial constraints, it is only right that we start to contribute in other peoples growth and success. It is the time to sow seeds, so sow in the life of the next generation, stay relevant, and be remembered for what you sowed. Realign and do not retire. Move from retirement to realignment
Retirement or Realignment – Key Points
- Retirement is inevitable, realignment is a choice. Retirement does not surprise you, so it is easy to plan for it.
- Celebrate completion of work life , keep no grudges, keep pleasant memories of work life, the second phase of Life has begun, so look forward and buckle up for the next ride
- Manage Finances. Clear all debts, reset your budget, prioritise your expenses. Now that a regular monthly salary will not be getting credited, check your inflow of funds,
- Take out the bucket list, enjoy your retirement and realign your energies. Do the things that you wanted to do, music, a new language, dance, painting, travelling, take out your bucket list, and complete a few of them. It will revive you, and will give you a new lease of life, a much evolved and happy You.
- Remain Relevant- Keep yourself updated, read the news, know the technological advance, do not close yourself to the world around you.
- Focus on fitness – Health and fitness should never be neglected, especially as we age, so focus on keeping good health, eat proper, take regular tests and most importantly exercise.
- Rule of 4C : Connect, Collaborate, Create and Contribute ; connect with like minded people, collaborate and do something as a common project, create value for people around you contribute to the society.
Conclusion:
Being retired does not mean the end of life, it is only the end of 9 to 5 engagement, it is actually the beginning of a new phase of life and one should plan it well. So Celebrate end of employment, Reset finances, take out the bucket list and fulfil it, keep learning and growing, stay relevant and remember to focus on your health and fitness. Most important follow the rule of 4C, Connect, Collaborate, Create and Contribute. Retirement is a new phase of life enjoy it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 01: Is retirement the end of career?
Not really, retirement is like a change, like a neutral gear, you switch on to the next level
Q 02 : If I have enough money should retire?
Earning is not the ONLY reason to stay in an employment, you learn a lot while working and you also learn to lead and teach others, so one must continue working till it is needed
Q 03: How important is it to have enough savings before deciding to retire from work?
Financial planning is an important part of life, not only the saving one should also look for meaningful living after retirement?
Q 04: Do people who retire and stop working, have health issues?
Discontinuing regular physical activities has consequences, so it is important that one keeps a focus on staying healthy all his or her life
Q 05: What can a retire person do?
After retirement is it a good idea to realign and start a fresh, learn new skills, and take up small assignments or community projects.
Q 06: Is there a retirement mantra?
Rule of 4C : Connect, Collaborate, Create and Contribute is a good way to begin a retired life
