Retirement Pondering Point – Retire, Renew, and Reinvent

One month before fully retired—What’s the plan?

Journal entry of first step toward retirement — Just seemed more authentic to share my initial inspiration

My Retirement Book: Self-doubt crept in.

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I was probably a little more forgiving to myself during that first year of retirement, but extra discretionary time often leads to more introspection, or an equivalent of what this Huffington Post piece refers to as ‘sensemaking’.

This article highlights research by the University of Cincinnati’s Heather Vough and colleagues who identified a list of the six most common career-ending narratives, including the three most challenging to a retiree’s self-worth:

Being discarded
Becoming disillusioned
Having an epiphany

I experienced a mix of these three and so my first year, while at times leisurely, was more marked by a juggling act of highs and lows and doubts and revelations.

My challenge, and I would guess that of plenty of other retirees, was to write a new script.

Accountability…still good for my retirement

I’m stealing yesterday’s post

from inventwithwords.com

for today’s post.

Retirees’ Creative Reinvention Day 18: Seize the moment…

girl reaching

So it’s like this.

My friend from NY sent me a quick email telling me a classmate of ours from junior high had passed away…a year ago.

M was always a pretty happy-go-lucky guy and he was the same way as we went facemark-to-facemask in a junior college football game in 1972. And the same way as he served customers at his dad’s fish market and at the restaurant he started in the 80’s.

While I hadn’t seen him for decades, his passing hit me a little harder.

Maybe each succeeding loss of a contemporary does that now…but it was yet another reminder, a tug at my insides, with the familiar message…”What in God’s name are you waiting for? Get out there and make stuff!”

Yeah…it doesn’t have to be good—especially at first. It has to be done, so you have something to build on, a reference point.

And let’s all assume we’re not going to live forever, so it’s time to build some creative momentum.

It doesn’t have to be a leap. Even a step will do. But let’s aim together to be in a different place than we were the day before.

This post begs for a repeat of the previous link…

How to Never Miss a Day of Creative Work

Highlights:

“Take the minimal viable action of sitting down at your desk…”
“Reduce the scope, but stick to the schedule.”
“It’s better to lower your standards and actually follow through…”

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Thanks for reading and stay vigilant for opportunities
to stretch and flex those creative muscles.

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Retirees’ Creative Reinvention Day 17: Stay on task…

Multiple cogs with icons signifying tasks — Overestimating my ability to handle multiple projects…a major fault

Srini Rao has long been a go-to resource for advice and inspiration. This is one of my favorite posts from unmistakeablecreative.com.

Man intently working at a laptop — Love the wrinkled undershirt look…but hey! He’s sticking with his schedule!

How to Never Miss a Day of Creative Work

Highlights:

“Take the minimal viable action of sitting down at your desk…”
“Reduce the scope, but stick to the schedule.”
“It’s better to lower your standards and actually follow through…”

***

Thanks for reading and stay vigilant for opportunities
to stretch and flex those creative muscles.

***

Retirees’ Creative Reinvention Day 16: As you’re learning, you’re teaching.

Fellow Retirees: Reframe your standing as a ‘creative’. We are a few among the many, all at different stages.

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Thanks for reading and stay vigilant for opportunities
to stretch and flex those creative muscles.

***

** I’m mixing in different links to Austin K so they don’t all lead to a ‘buy’ page. Note: I just value the guy’s work. Not making a dime off the links.

Category: Retirement Pondering Point

One month before fully retired—What’s the plan?

My Retirement Book: Self-doubt crept in.