Front photo: Mikhail Nilov
Retirement for many now signifies the beginning of a brand-new chapter – one that is bursting with chances for creativity, personal fulfilment, and yes, employment.
There’s a heap of information, talents and experience that have accumulated throughout the years. Many people are driven to keep giving back, to challenge their minds, and to discover new passions.
The notion of producing work in retirement is relevant. Engaging in work in retirement has evolved into a gratifying and pleasing decision for many people, whether it is pursuing a lifelong passion, beginning a second profession, or working on worthwhile side projects.
When travelling and researching the first edition of Where To Retire In Australia we were introduced to many older people who had started a home based business, a profitable hobby or were back working (full or part time). The reasons varied as to why people were doing this.
Making extra money in retirement was important to some, but time after time we heard people say that they ‘wanted to do something different’, ‘they wanted to do something meaningful in retirement’ or they ‘didn’t like being retired’.
Retire Bizzi
We interviewed many people and wrote 101 of stories in Retire Bizzi.
The types of endeavours in which people engaged were different, interesting and inspiring.
We have continued to write about older people who have created a different ‘next life’.
Have a look here at how seniorpreneur Tom Gibson helped to develop the Havlar Backpack.
Read of what some other experienced people have done in their ‘next life.’
New Way Forward
However, have you heard people say that are ‘past it’, ‘they’re too old to try something different’ or ‘they’ve had their time’? (Negative talk).
Well, Paul Long, author of the New Way Forward and founder of Paul Long Productions has written a great post:
Overcoming The Excuse: ‘I’m Too Old‘
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” -Physicist Max Planck
The old perception of “old” no longer applies.
There is a new reality. A new gift for our life. A whole new way of looking at life.
We have an extended lifespan and health span. Retirement age is based on a century-old reality when people were lucky to live past 65. We have broken away from blindly following assumptions or mandates of how we are supposed to be.
There are growing megatrends in what people in their fifties, sixties and above are doing with this phase of life.
They are radically reimagining, redefining and revolutionizing olderhood.
They’re having the best years of their life and it’s not just playing golf.
Out of desire and necessity, many are working longer, transitioning to new ways of earning income, and becoming entrepreneurs.
People over 40 start up most of the new businesses in the U.S. every year. Baby Boomers start TWICE as many businesses as millennials and have vastly higher odds of succeeding which makes sense.
They’re being relevant, purposeful, fulfilled and for some, profitable.
Turns out, when you get older it is the best time to realize your dreams.
You know more about yourself and life to find your New Way Forward.
You have years of experience, advanced skills and talent.
Olderhood is your time to make it “My Turn” in life.
If you’re a young adult, you can use this perspective to lower your sense of risk because you have so many decades of health and active life ahead.
Bonus: Studies show that leading this kind of life is one of the healthiest things you can do’.
Jill Weeks has been an educator and author for many years. She is the author of 21 Ways To Retire, which gives insights into how 21 Australians from different backgrounds adjusted to retirement. She is also the co-author with her husband, Owen, of several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and one of Retire Bizzi, Jill is a contributor to radio.