Retirement is the time to look at things with a new perspective and try new things. Having a unique sense of purpose could add years to your lifespan. There have been researches conducted that contribute to this theory that people having a purpose and direction in life generally outlived those who didn’t.
Life’s purpose is something that is unique to everyone. Your individual purpose is the combination of your passion, ambition, and life’s values. This is the unique mission of your life and reflects the ultimate purpose that will lead to a more satisfying life.
While you’re working, the responsibility and commitment of work brings a sense of meaning and purpose to your life. However, once you’re retired, you miss that purpose and feeling of commitment that comes along with regular work. You tend to miss the interactions with colleagues, meetings, the adrenaline rush and energy of deadlines and tight schedules and predictability of routine. This is the reason it is essential that before you retire you need to consider and plan ahead about the things that will bring purpose and meaning to your life after retirement, and will subsequently bring you joy and happiness.
You need to remember that you are certainly not retiring from life. You are simply refocusing your energies into something different. You are focusing on things that you always had the intention of doing but couldn’t pursue them because of certain reasons. These things will bring you peace and happiness and can be the passion that brings the interest back in your life.
There is a lot that you can do upon retirement. In order to find purpose in life, you need to remember that retirement is the beginning of another phase of life and not a destination in itself. Also, it is important to not overdo and over-commit to yourself. You need to divide your passion into small and achievable goals.
It is important to have a reason to get up in the morning and to be active, productive and engaged. There are many benefits of finding and maintaining a sense of purpose in retirement which helps in continued mental and physical vitality.
People living with a purpose are able to find meaning in things that happen in their life. They are able to regulate emotions, and are well equipped to handle life’s ups and downs. Long term resilience leads you to better health, less stress and greater happiness over time.
Purpose will guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction and create meaning.
Think of the retirement period as a blank slate, which needs to be filled with something that is important. You need to consider that retirement is a privilege that some people never get to experience, so you need to approach it with purpose and intention.
So how do you go about finding your sense of purpose. How do you find a replacement which will fulfil you, once you’re no longer punching the proverbial time clock?
With Legacy Transitions, you get professional guidance and assistance on how to launch your retirement with productivity and success, connect with us and find novel ways to fulfil your life’s purpose. Visit our website to know details and to connect with us.
