Retirement. What I have learnt.

Choose your own path...

Two of the great, but under-rated, songwriters and artists of our time (Paul Carrick and Mike Rutherford) penned the song "Over my shoulder". One critic wisely opined that any song that includes whistling, other than Otis Redding's ["(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"], is asking for trouble.

Well, I retired from full time employment around a year ago so hopefilly by looking back over my shouder, I will not be asking for trouble in the way that Paul and Mike were perceived to be. (For those too young or not inclined towards 90's popular music the answer is Mike + the Mechanics - with Paul Carrick on vocals)

Retirement - what did I learn so far?

Jump too soon?

Its a classic question - when to retire. Will I regret it? Will I want to go back? What will I do?

Will I miss it? If its still a worry then maybe you got it wrong..... but it's not a worry. With a strong work ethic and a memory of endless late nights, congested diaries, wall to wall MS Teams meetings, anonymous hotel rooms, waiting at endless departure gates, and early mornings (red-eye flights anyone?) it was time to go. Don't regret it for one minute. Good choice.

Ego & Identity

In a corporate world it's easier to fall into the trap of "what you are" rather than who you are. The grandiose title, the responsibility, the right to be heard, the trappings of seniority maybe. Once retired these things fall away. You might still be the guy who was the CEO or MD (or whatever) but who wants to be a has-been? So the first jolt of retirement is to find a new you. Hopefully more about who you are rather than what you were.

Age brings wisdom - share it extensively

As you progress in your career, you realise that you learn a bunch of stuff that has stood you in good stead. The kind of things that would have been handy to have in your toolkit when you were younger. So use your experience & wisdom to help others. Share it (maybe even write a few blogs).

Not all sectors are the same

With luck, you might get involved in different sectors than the ones where you gained your experience. Jolt No 2... there are lots of different worlds out there - and things are sure as hell different. Not better or worse - but different. Expect change.

Re-learn the right to be listened to

The fact that you were a leader in your past career doesn't give you the right to have your opinion (or advice, or experience or seemingly wise words) listened in your current world. You have to earn that right once more.

Curveballs

With age comes baggage and risks - what happened to others comes to visit you or your close family.... life changing illness, death of loved ones, demands (both good and bad) from a the next generation of kids and grandkids. It's never a walk in the park so be ready to swing for a few curveballs that come your way.

Choose what you want to do

For once, professionally at least, you are able to do only what you want to do and work with people who energise rather than de-motivate.. I have been lucky to work with some great folk along the way (and only a few that, perhaps, might only ever aspire to greatness). For the first time ever, you have a choice. Use it wisely in choosing what you do next and who you work with and what challenges you choose.

Bucket list

Write them down, make them achievable, and slowly tick them off - take it easy.

Finally

In relation to retirement .... my advice.. JFDI......and enjoy!