You've heard most of them before. They seem like
well-meaning retirement advice. But, BEWARE. The following
illusions, delusions and downright lies about retirement can
be dangerous to your retirement well-being:
1. If you have enough money, your retirement will take care
of itself.
WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. This is the biggest and most dangerous
lie about retirement. Of course, money is important. Yet,
money is only one of 15 "must haves" for a thriving
retirement. Focusing only on the tangible financial aspects
of retirement and ignoring the other, less tangible, "must
haves" is a prescription for disaster. While taking charge
of your life, having dreams for the future, and a purpose
that pulls you out of bed in the morning are not as
quantifiable as, say, $1.3 million in assets, they are just
as crucial.
To find out what the other must-haves are, go to
http://www.revolutionizeretirement.com/tipssheets.htm and
click on The 14 "Must Have" Rocking Retirement Requirements
2. You lost your shirt in the stock market and you'll have
to work seven years after your dead in order to afford to
retire.
Maybe, if you're buying into the conventional wisdom that
you'll need 80% of your current income to maintain your
current lifestyle. But, honestly, are you that crazy about
your current lifestyle?
Don't delude yourself into thinking you have to keep doing
what you're doing just because you don't have enough money.
Jump out of that narrow box you're in. Be bold. Think big.
There are lots of great ways to supplement your retirement
income (i.e. seasonal employment) and/or create new revenue
streams beyond your wildest imagination (i.e. packaging what
you already know and selling it).
Not feeling especially bold? Then answer the question:
"What's enough?" and you just may find you can retire on a
lot less and enjoy life a lot more.
For inspiration, get a copy of the free Retirement Re-Tool
Kit: 101+ Online Resources to Help You Design a
Revolutionary Retirement. Download it at
http://www.revolutionizeretirement.com/revolutionize.htm.
3. You can't afford to live a meaningful life.
Understand this. You can't afford NOT to live a meaningful
life. In fact, it's essential to a thriving retirement
right up at the top of the list with the "must have" of
money. And, it doesn't matter if you're rolling in dough and
have all the free time in the world, or you need to get
financially creative in the "third half" of life and create
new sources of income.
Figure out what would be the most fulfilling and
invigorating for you, follow your heart's desire, and pursue
your goals with gusto. Write that book, start a business,
get behind a cause, or (fill in the blank.)
You owe it to yourself to take the time in your retirement
planning to discover a clearly defined purpose one that
enriches your world and puts a great big smile on your face.
4. You've worked hard all your life and now you deserve to
rest and play.
Research shows that the traditional "all play, no purpose"
retirement can be deadly. Sure you enjoy your leisure time
and need your rest, but are you ready for that proverbial
pasture quite yet? Remember, in order for leisure to be
leisure, it must be a diversion. So, if that's all there is
in your life, what (and where) is the purpose?
Instead of designing a life of only leisure, design a
leisurely lifestyle that not only rejuvenates your spirit,
but fills your life with meaning. (See #3)
5. Your partner will be thrilled to join you in traveling
around the country in an RV, playing golf 24/7, and/or...
Think again, because it's highly likely that you're not even
remotely on the same wavelength. Again, it's really
important to take time in your planning. Find out what your
partner expects from retirement long before you retire. And
while you're at it, make a commitment to the health and
growth of your relationship, now, before you retire. It's
impossible to have a happy retirement if you're in a dismal
relationship.
6. Retirement means the end of life as you've known it.
Don't be fooled into thinking that what you do in your
present life is more important than who you'll be in your
retirement. How will you spend the precious gift of the
next 30+ years? You could crawl in a hole and pull the dirt
in over you. Or, you could make each day a grand new
adventure.
Seize the opportunity to grow and stretch into the best
possible you. By moving away from the materialistic "What
am I", of your pre-retirement life and moving toward the
more spiritual "Who am I", you'll be traveling on the path
of a rejuvenating and revitalizing retirement.
7. You're too old to make a difference.
Baloney! Okay, you're not as young as you used to be, and
the world is a great big mess. But, don't just sit there.
Dare to dream. You may not be able to end world hunger, but
you could end hunger on your block or in your community.
And, if you happen to stumble upon a way to end world hunger
in the process, more power to you. What's important is that
you harness your amazing wisdom, resources, creativity,
brilliance and ingenuity to impact your small corner of the
planet. What are you waiting for?
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