RA Retirement Advisors

Self-Isolating? Want Something to Do? Start Your Retirement Planning!

There is life after self-isolation and surviving the pandemic. After watching TV for hours, e-mailing or talking with friends, playing solitaire for the 50th time,why not think about life after work.

When most people think about retirement, they imagine leaving a job they dislike, dropping out of the rat race and turning their back on the pressures of employment. They often see retirement as a welcome change or an escape to something more peaceful and serene.

Well, you've now had a dose of peace and serenity staying at home. How does it feel? Miss the routine of the office or job site? The camraderie at coffee or lunch? Losing contact with friends? These are not just limitations to self-isolating, they can also be inaction experienced when retired.

So what do you want to do about it? Most of us retiring today will live another fifteen, twenty, thirty years, or more. Retirement could be your second longest period of life. Considering this fact, I have a question for you: Will you create the best retirement you can, or will you let your retirement years just happen to you?

Unsuccessful retirees are like the hundreds of thousands of those who today are bored, with little to do that interests or engages them, and time begins to weigh heavily on their shoulders. Many experience increased frustration and disappointment, caught up in a vortex they cannot or will not escape.

What about the successful retirees? Like the people who are taking self-isolating in stride, they have a clear concept of what makes for a well-rounded, holistic, happy and stimulating retirement. Many acquire that information from people who are already living a successful retirement. What's more, successful retirees apply that information in two key ways:
1. They build their own realistic and well-rounded vision of retirement
2. They create and implement a plan to make it happen!

Just like those who are successfully self-isolating, they are concerned with their health and well-being. They have an exercise regime, eat healthily, use stress-busting programs to manage change, and give thanks for friends and family. They also build and implement a household and personal budget to help control spending. They create a balanced leisure lifestyle which includes: entertainment, learning, virtual social activities and hobbies.

They are foster good communications with their spouse/partner and recognize the space needs of others. They think ahead about living accommodations, their legacy and a host of other topics which are part of planning for retirement.

I urge you now to visualize what "retirement" means to you. Find a quiet place to just think!

Two elements of holistic retirement planning are often particularly helpful for visualization:
1. Picture yourself waking up ... What happens next? How do you spend your time?
2. Picture your surrounding ... Let your mind's eye include your current home, an imagined home, a current or imagined vacation home, visiting familiar and unfamiliar places or people. Where do you spend your time?

Here are some questions that can also help you get started:
- Do you look forward to going to bed and getting up whenever you want?
- Do you want to spend more time with your children, grandchildren, or partner?
- Do people in your life have certain expectations of you once you retire?
- Does retirement mean leaving work you love and/or co-workers you consider friends?
- Do you look forward to having more time to take care of yourself?

Keep notes of your thoughts and ideas as you begin your life after work. Talk to your spouse/partner and get their input.

For more tips on how to create the best retirement for you, visit my website: www.rickatkinson.ca. Also, as an assist, order my workbook, The Strategies for Retiring Right! An Abridged Workbook. Contact me at [email protected].

If you are between the ages of 45 to 65 and want a happy and stimulating retirement or are already retiring looking to add a little sizzle to their 'golden years', let RA Retirement Advisors help you build a personal retirement plan to enhance your life after work.

We offer books: (Strategies for Retiring Right! & Why Me? and No Gold Watch!); workbooks (The First Step! & Strategies for Retiring Right, an Abridged Workbook); free newsletter; facebook (retirement planning) discussion group; speaking & workshop services; plus one-on-one coaching.

For information, 416-282-7320.

Stressful Week - How Do You Cope with Stress?

I don't know about you, but this past week has been very stressful. The stress is originating from actions we all need to take to combat the coronavirus (i.e. constantly washing hands, regularly using sanitizer wipes and sprays, closure of schools, businessses and entertainment centers, etc.)

Then there is social isolation and social distancing, something we're not used to. As a part-time college professor, learning how to present my lectures on-line and mark papers electronically, rather than receiving hard-copies is challenging.

Along with our worries, the question of 'Will I have a job?", "How do I pay my bills?" "Will my benefits be affected?" "How soon will announced Government programs kick into place?" "How do I explain to my kids what's happening including 'no play dates'?"

To cope with my stress I'm trying to maintain my exercise program (my gym is closed) by walking at least 30 minutes daily. I'm also practicing deep breathing (taking a deep breath through my nose, holding it for ten seconds and releasing it slowly through my mouth. I repeat the process for five minutes. And my favorite, thinking of a sunny beach in the Caribbean. For the most part, the use of these techniques for me helps reduce my tension and lets stress slip away.

One other stress reliever for me is 'trying' to reduce watching the TV news to twice a day - once in the morning and one time in the late afternoon. This one needs more practice!

What are you doing to reduce or eliminate your stress? Your ideas may help others in this 'weird' time in our life.

Thanks for your ideas.

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Your Choice: Retirement Successful or Bust!

Successful retirees build their own realistic and well-rounded vision of retirement. They create and implement a plan to make it happen.

In my most recent book, Why Me? And No Gold Watch!, I assist you in doing the same. The book outlines the issues you need to address, and it covers best practices. It is my intent to provide you with insight and direction without compromising your own decision-making.

To spotlight the learning, you'll look at Sally McBride, a fifty-seven-year-old employee at Benson & Sons who will be involuntarily leaving her position as a senior marketing associate due to an organizational restructuring.

Throughout the book, Sally, her friend Thelma Brooks and others will be referenced to help you to explore the knowledge, thoughts and insights I've gleaned from interviews with hundreds of successful retirees.

So now the choice is yours. You can sit and wait for whatever comes along or you can tackle the challenges and opportunities of retiring successfully. Will you reserve your place in the rocking chair or grab the brass ring of retirement life?

Why Me? And No Gold Watch! is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo Books & other book sellers.

www.rickatkinson.ca