What motivates you in your retirement transition? Many review their life and they set new retirement goals.
As a student, I spent many years not living up to my potential. I knew I was bright and could do better than I did. I mostly existed on C’s and B’s until the thought occurred to me that I might want to go to college. During my junior and senior years in high school, I got close to straight A’s.
I made many other interesting life choices and by the time I was in my early twenties, I was a divorced mother of one. I took a long serious look in the mirror and made some decisions about my life. I promised myself, I would figure out how to complete my college education so I would be able to support my child and myself. It was a long, hard struggle, but after eight years, I succeeded.
I’ve been aware of my own motivations and as a teacher was curious to discover what drove my seventh and eighth grade students. Later, I became a career counselor and then a retirement life coach. Motivation continues to be an interesting topic.
Most adults figure out early on that if they want to have a certain life, they’re going to have to work for it. For most of us, the home and family become the primary drivers during the adult years.
Retirement opens up a completely new set of motivational challenges. Many people believe you shouldn’t be motivated in retirement. Life will just take care of itself. Others find they aren’t sure what motivates them and feel stuck.
I have read many of Daniel Pink’s books and always find them interesting, as well as informational. He wrote a book entitled, aptly enough, “Drive: the Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” While geared more to the working world, he does offer interesting exercise in the back of the book. One in particular caught my eye, which I’d like to share.
One of the challenges for many in retirement feeling pulled into too many directions. Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce observed that problem in newly elected President John F. Kennedy. She explained that a great man can be explained in one sentence. She said of President Abraham Lincoln, “He preserved the union and freed the slaves.”
As you enter the retirement years, what would the one sentence be to describe your life or your desire for the future? My husband has a buddy who is, “Always there for his friends.” My former art teacher was committed to “Bringing beauty into the world.” It doesn’t have to be profound, but something from your heart. Ponder and play with what your one sentence would be. Does it describe your purpose in life?
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