I asked Anne, a recent retiree, what advice she would offer to other people who are getting ready to retire and I was surprised by her response. She said, "be leery of people who think you have all the time in the world to help them with their projects."
People will think that because you are retired, you have so much free time and before long you can be so busy fulfilling other people's agendas. If you do not have a plan for your life, someone else will be glad to provide one for you.
When it comes to living your ideal lifestyle, there are activities that float your boat, and there are activities that'll sink it. What are some activities that float your boat? Spending time with family, travelling to warm destinations in the wintertime, golfing, road trips, camping, and so on.
Then there are the activities that bring your boat down. These activities suck the life and joy out of you.
1. Hanging Around the Wrong People.
Everyone needs a few good friends, but some of those people you may be hanging around with do nothing but bring you down. You have to listen to their health problems, their love life woes, their spouse, and so on and so on. How about the people in your life that lift you up. You know the ones that you feel like you had such a great time as you are driving home. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. If you are not happy with who you are or who you are becoming then consider making some new friends.
2. Wasting Time on Other People's Causes.
I'm not saying that causes aren't important, but are they your causes? Are you investing your time and energy into the things that matter to you?
3. Dealing With Health Concerns.
Take the time right now to get yourself in shape. Eat well. Exercise. Look after your health and be proactive.
4. Obsessing About Money.
You know the people in your life that obsess over the stock market and their investments. It's all they talk about. They are obsessed with making more money to fund their pathetic, boring lives. You wonder why they think they need so much money - they don't go anywhere.
5. Failing To Delegate
There are certain things that you cannot delegate. Exercise. Eating well. Spending time with your kids and grandkids. Relaxing and vacationing. Enjoying life. But, there are many things you can delegate. Mowing grass and shovelling snow. Having a housekeeper. Preparing tax returns. Managing investments and retirement income planning.
Only you can control how you spend your time, and whether or not it's doing above the line activities that bring you joy or allowing the below the line stuff to sabotage your life?
Is your retirement on track? Are you confident in your current plan? Is your total financial house in order? If there are too many below-the-line things controlling your life to the point where you are not living your ideal life then book a meeting with us and we'll help you get your retirement on track. We are a husband and wife team that specializes in working with financial successful clients over age 55.
Retirement Income, Investment & Tax Planning For Those 55+,
Willis J Langford BA, MA, 
Nancy R Langford CRS
587-755-0159
