| 07 April 2010
I am always struck by the number of people (my friends included) who talk about retirement as some "end of life" event that they are just waiting for. People with longevity will tell you they think very different than that, assuming that life is to be lived today - all of us value those days where we are truly present and working "on" something. The last two years malaise in the economy has created more than ample reason to don a sour attitude and passively assume you cannot retire when you want to. That might be true for some, but I doubt it is true for many who, with a little creativity, might find retirement closer than they think. But it all starts with a shift in thinking - retirement is not about reveling in the past, it is about embracing the future.
In The Blue Zones Dan Buettner shares the lessons of why certain populations (what he calls those in the Blue Zones) tend to live through age 100. Outside of eating certain foods, exercise and several other lifestyle issues, Buettner also points to a life of purpose as one that will reduce stress, which allows for lower rates of all kinds of diseases. The Okinawans call it ikigai, and the Nicoyans call it plan de vida, but both phrases mean about the same - "why I wake up in the morning." In cultures that have a sense of purpose to the day, stress is lower and people are happier. It sounds like retirement to me!
Purpose can come from many arenas. It might be your job, which for many of us it hopefully is. If it is not your job, do not become listless; search for work that keeps you passionate. Purpose might also come from your family, learning a new activity (like playing the piano) and even a hobby. But what is common among our clients who are enjoying retirement is that there is a defined purpose for them. I recently was talking to a woman in her 30's whose purpose is to work now so that she can retire when her young children become parents and then she can stay home and care for her grandchildren, the way her mother does for her kids now. That sense of purpose is a driving force in decisions made now. In a sense, that woman is already retired.
Retirement is a strong word and as defined by our society, I believe it can be a negative word. I encourage you to change your thinking from "retire from something" to "retire to something." Maybe it would be easier if we all just thought about our lives as one big marathon - if you knew you had to run for a long time, would you run as fast as you can without knowing where the finish line was? Or would you pace yourself and enjoy the road you are on, the blue sky, and those cheering for you? If Buettner is right, living a longer life must include your ikigai or plan de vida for not only a longer life, but a healthy one. Do not pick some date in the future; be proactive and start living today with purpose. You might just find a longer and happier life.