MY RETIREMENT:
- Retirement Revolution
- 5 Phases of Retirement
- Keys to Retirement Fulfillment
- Our Workshop
- Helpful Resources
- Find Out More
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Meet the Surf Legends
This gang of grandfathers--and great grandfathers--have been surfing together since the days of the long board.
Billy Goldsmith, 79, of Clairemont believes surfing has kept him alive. “It’s given me a will to live and the positive spirit through the camaraderie has been the best part,” he said.
For Les Bartlet, 68 “and a half,” and Ron St. John, 64, of Pacific Beach, just being around these guys is an inspiration. “They’re the common thread, the history, and a great group of guys,” said St. John. “Age just isn’t an issue when you’re surfing – and they’re proving it.”
Headed for breakfast at a local diner, the saying on the back of Billy's Goldsmith's T-Shirt captures it all: “Old Guys Rule!” |
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Research suggests that there are five phases that retirees may encounter:
Pre-Retirement is the first stage and is characterized as a planned disengagement from the workplace. It involves a lot of mental planning for retirement. This stage is usually accompanied by more euphoria than discomfort, as you plan for your long awaited leisure years
Once people reach retirement, they typically take one of three paths:
Honeymoon Path – you envision a lifelong pursuit of all things leisurely. Most “honeymooners" eventually find out that you can only take so many cruises before you long for more out of life.
Immediate Retirement Routine Path – Commonly embraced by retirees who had structured regimented careers. Activities are scheduled and organized with dates, times, locations, and very little deviation occurs – remarkably similar to life before retirement.
The Rest and Relaxation Path – characterized by low activity, this path is rarely satisfying for longer than a few months.
This phase is typified by feelings of:
- Disappointment
- Uncertainty about the future
- A lack of accomplishment, purpose, and balance.
These can be influenced by death of a spouse, a move to a new location, or other disruptions. The highest emotional dysfunction among retirees – by far – is depression.
In this phase, you take the time to outline what makes you happy, what doesn’t, and what will improve your quality of life.
Questions you ask yourself are:
What do I enjoy doing?
What are my talents and interests??
What do I regret not having done yet in life?
Ahhh-the ultimate goal of retirement! This phase – for those who reach it – is most likely to lead to good health, balance, excellent family relationships, and all those things we all want out of life, like our "Surf Legends" shown to the left.
Retirement Fulfillment involves:
- Mastery of a comfortable and rewarding routine
- Being open to new sources of engagement, learning, and exploration
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A sense of purpose, accomplishment, and balance
That's what Reinventing Your Retirement is all about!
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