So you're thinking about or have started your retirement. How will you enjoy and enrich your new freedom?
A few years ago I was working at a job that I more or less liked; I enjoyed some activities and didn't care for others. I imagined some day doing what I want and enjoy, when I want. Now, I'm doing that. By introducing On Your Own Time I do what I like most. I get to help you find creative and satisfying ways to use your expertise and skills so you can enjoy and enrich your next chapter - retirement.
If you're reading this blog you know that retirement doesn't mean quitting; instead, leaving the routine and predictability of a long held job frees us to explore, to re-invent ourselves, get rid of what we don't like and use our innovation to finally get to do what we like.
In our last blog we helped you to identify all of your amazing skills. The answers to the following questions might help you envision how to use them to help you find the type of work or activity you choose to do:
Why do you want to work or keep busy?
What do you want the work or activity to offer you?
What did you really like about your pre-retirement work?
What did you really dislike about your pre-retirement work?
What do you miss about working?
Here are some real life examples of people who have used their experience to add variety and meaning to their retirement .
Bob owned his own business for many years. As the owner he needed a general understanding of business, strong communication, strategic thinking, financial management and marketing skills . He sold his business and is now the volunteer fund-raiser with a not-for-profit organization. He analyzes financial data to help create persuasive proposals to attract donations. His communication skills are helping him to build strong relationships with volunteers, supporters and current and potential donors.
Helen, a former Administrative Assistant, used her strong skills in organization, technology, and communication to start an on-line business that provides word processing and editorial services to university students and aspiring writers, and social media posts to small businesses. The business also helps to supplement her pension.
Sue, a retired nurse, developed strong interpersonal, teamwork, empathy and active listening skills during her career. She uses those skills as a part-time receptionist in a veterinary clinic. In addition to providing compassionate support to animal owners and their pets, she gets to interact with and walk the dogs.
If you already know what you want to do in your retirement but need help getting started, post a profile here to find an opportunity.
How's Your Mind?
In our July blog we gave you the following mental exercise:
Begin with the word WALL and change a letter at a time until you get the word FIRM. Each change must be a proper word. Here's the answer.
WALL
WILL
FILL
FILM
FIRM
Try some of these increasingly challenging ways to keep your mind sharp https://www.mentalup.co/blog/memory-games-for-seniors
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