What does Retirement Mean to You?

The trend to retire young is still very popular today. Mr. Money Moustach is one example of where frugal living, investing and saving allows you to retire by the time you are 40 years of age or less. But then what do you do?

At first, it sounds great to just loaf around. Do what you want when you want. Golf more. Shop more. Visit more. Deliver food for the local food bank.

It all sounds great until a few months pass by and then things change.

For some 30 years or more you woke up each day with a distinct purpose. Often it was pressure. How do I pay my bills this month. How do I deal with my miserable boss or co-worker. That pressure made you work at some things. It made you stretch your brain to try new things, to work harder, to take on new risk.

When you retire, if you want a long life you need this one thing to continue. Life Purpose.

Life Purpose goes beyond your own needs or wants. It is about engaging in some goal directed persuit to help achieve some measureable outcome. It’s still about the journey not the outcome perhaps, but the goal directs what you are focused on.

You want to create a fund to help manage a small conservation plot of land you are buying. You want to invest your money and truly control it. You want to learn more each day about doing that.

You set goals with structure. Each day you start by exercising, eating some great food and then get to work. Your new work in retirement is the work you decide to do. It is the work that gives you Life Purpose. A reason to get up and get out of bed each day. Find it now before you retire.

You need to start today. What truly gives you meaning with your work and how is that linked to your Life Purpose. Each day in retirement you want to leave nothing left in your gas tank. Squeeze every bit of energy out of it because some day that day will be your last. Don’t waste today. What is your Life Purpose?