Seven
Illusions, Delusions & Downright Lies about Retirement
You've heard
most of them before. They seem like well-meaning retirement advice.
But, BEWARE. The following illusions, delusions and downright lies
about retirement can be dangerous to your retirement well-being:
1. If you have enough money, your retirement will take care of
itself.
WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. This is the biggest and most dangerous lie about
retirement. Of course, money is important. Yet, money is only one of
15 "must haves" for a thriving retirement. Focusing only on the
tangible financial aspects of retirement and ignoring the other, less
tangible, "must haves" is a prescription for disaster. While taking
charge of your life, having dreams for the future, and a purpose that
pulls you out of bed in the morning are not as quantifiable as, say,
$1.3 million in assets, they are just as crucial.
To find out what the other must-haves are, go to my
Tips Sheet page and click on The 14 "Must Have" Rocking Retirement
Requirements
2. You lost your shirt in the stock market and you'll have to work
seven years after your dead in order to afford to retire.
Maybe, if you're buying into the conventional wisdom that you'll need
80% of your current income to maintain your current lifestyle. But,
honestly, are you that crazy about your current lifestyle?
Don't delude yourself into thinking you have to keep doing what you're
doing just because you don't have enough money. Jump out of that narrow
box you're in. Be bold. Think big. There are lots of great ways to
supplement your retirement income (i.e. seasonal employment) and/or
create new revenue streams beyond your wildest imagination (i.e.
packaging what you already know and selling it).
Not feeling especially bold? Then answer the question: "What's enough"?
and you just may find you can retire on a lot less and enjoy life a lot
more.
For inspiration, request your complimentary copy of the
Revolutionize Retirement Starter
Kit.
3. You can't afford to live a meaningful life.
Understand this. You can't afford NOT to live a meaningful life. In
fact, it's essential to a thriving retirement -- right up at the top of
the list with the "must have" of money. And, it doesn't matter if you're
rolling in dough and have all the free time in the world, or if you need
to get financially creative in the "third half" of life and create new
sources of income.
Figure out what would be the most fulfilling and invigorating for you,
follow your heart's desire, and pursue your goals with gusto. Write
that book, start a business, get behind a cause, or (fill in the blank.)
You owe it to yourself to take the time in your retirement planning to
discover a clearly defined purpose -- one that enriches your world and
puts a great big smile on your face.
4. You've worked hard all your life and now you deserve to rest and
play.
Research shows that the traditional "all play, no purpose" retirement
can be deadly. Sure you enjoy your leisure time and need your rest, but
are you ready for that proverbial pasture quite yet? Remember, in order
for leisure to be leisure, it must be a diversion. So, if that's all
there is in your life, what (and where) is the purpose?
Instead of designing a life of only leisure, design a leisurely
lifestyle that not only rejuvenates your spirit, but fills your life
with meaning. (See #3)
5. Your partner will be thrilled to join you in traveling around the
country in an RV, playing golf 24/7, and/or...
Think again, because it's highly likely that you're not even remotely on
the same wavelength. Again, it's really important to take time in your
planning. Find out what your partner expects from retirement long
before you retire. And while you're at it, make a commitment to the
health and growth of your relationship, now, before you retire. It's
impossible to have a happy retirement if you're in a dismal
relationship.
6. Retirement means the end of life as you've known it.
Don't be fooled into thinking that what you do in your present life is
more important than who you'll be in your retirement. How will you
spend the precious gift of the next 30+ years? You could crawl in a hole
and pull the dirt in over you. Or, you could make each day a grand new
adventure.
Seize the opportunity to grow and stretch into the best possible you.
By moving away from the materialistic "What am I", of your
pre-retirement life and moving toward the more spiritual "Who am I",
you'll be traveling on the path of a rejuvenating and revitalizing
retirement.
7. You're too old to make a difference.
Baloney! Okay, you're not as young as you used to be, and the world is a
great big mess. But, don't just sit there. Dare to dream. You may not be
able to end world hunger, but you could end hunger on your block or in
your community. And, if you happen to stumble upon a way to end world
hunger in the process, more power to you. What's important is that you
harness your amazing wisdom, resources, creativity, brilliance and
ingenuity to impact your small corner of the planet. What are you
waiting for?
Want more tips like this one? Grab the
Revolutionize Retirement Starter Kit.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Certified Retirement
Coach Lin Schreiber, author of the popular The ABC's of Revolutionizing
Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next
stage of life, formerly known as "retirement." To claim your copy of her
free popular Revolutionize Retirement Starter Kit, visit her site at
http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com.
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