This is the time to achieve their retirement “thing,” whatever it may be. Did people harbor a retirement dream during their working years? Have people always wanted to
do something but their career prevented it? If so, now is the time to fulfill old dreams
and create new ones. These are days of excitement, achievement, and risk-taking.
People may not be able to get up the head of steam they could 20 years ago, but there
is little out of their reach. Their battle cry should be: “Make the most of this period.” If
their plans suggest people should dip into their retirement nest egg and they do it. Almost everyone has one or more goals to fulfill during retirement. Although some
goals (trips and so on) may be completed during the transition period, major projects are often best delayed until people have “found themselves’ and feel comfortable in this phase. People who enter retirement without goals usually drift until they find something to fill their time—and thus miss the boat because they spend their time doing unfulfilling and boring things. Sometimes, however, people find a person who enters retirement without a goal but discovers one that turns out to be a lifesaver. Most commonly, goals fall into such categories as consulting or part-time work for others, significant volunteer involvement, starting a small business, serious creative pursuits, and lasting hobbies. The range is as broad as the range of retirees themselves and once started, many surprise themselves with their success and enthusiasm. Most retirees know that this phase provides the big opportunity for fulfillment in the more active pursuits. Later, some scaling down may be necessary. It is a period when late bloomers (those who may have been restricted in their work years) come into their own. Under the old-fashioned concept of retirement, all years were to be “mellow” and “golden.” Today, the early years are full of action, involvement, and accomplishment.
Due to earlier retirements, better financial planning, and medical advancements, some
retirees are successful in stretching this phase to 20 years. But sooner or later (often
depending upon one’s health), one is willing to think about moving into the next phase. When people hear someone say, “I’ve accomplished my major retirement goals,” People may be getting a signal that this phase is drawing to a close. This does not mean that the next phase will eliminate travel, fulfillment, and laughter. It is just that the goals often are more modest and schedules less hectic. There will be different goals and different dreams in a different comfort zones.