Top Ten Ways to Retire Retirement

1. Retire the word "retirement" from your vocabulary. Look it up: it means to "withdraw" or "retreat." Words can shape reality, and it's time for this one to go. Doesn't "renaissance" or "graduation" better describe your post-career life?

2. Realize that retirement is a relatively new concept in human evolution. A few generations ago, before social security and full-time leisure became culturally embedded as the "norm," elders remained productive members of society, relied upon for their insight, wisdom and skills. No modern society can afford the planned obsolence of its most experienced people.

3. Restructure your priorities around what is most important to you, like deepening relationships with family and friends, community service, or the arts. Now is the time to bring your professional life into line with your deeper values.

4. Renew your zest for education. The learning cells of your brain are hungry for new and stimulating challenges, and the welcome mat is out at many schools and universities.

5. Revitalize your energy by finding a community of people who embrace growth and change. Don't get stuck with the "been there, done that" crowd. If you rest, you rust.

6. Rekindle your spirit for risk taking. "Do not fear mistakes," said jazz immortal, Miles Davis, "There are none." If not you, then who? If not now, when?

7. Respond to new opportunities. Remain open to the infinite possibilities the world has to offer. Your full potential lies ahead.

8. Recharge your system by moving your body regularly. Walk, dance, swim, do yoga, take up hiking or biking. Find something you really enjoy and make it a part of your daily wellness program. Buddy up to stay motivated.

9. Revisit your childhood dreams. It's never too late to be who you might have been. Go for it!

10. Remember that the wisdom to discover and act on your deepest passion and purpose is within you.

Enjoy the journey!

(Adapted from Top Ten Ways to Retire Retirement, copyright 2young2retire.com)

Marika Stone is co-founder of http://www.2young2retire.com, the website of retirement alternatives, and co-author of Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life (Plume 2004). She has been a journalist, teacher of writing, public relations executive, and small business owner.

---

Timepieces

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 2,... Read More

The Power of A.S.K.ing

Have you ever had the opportunity to follow-up on a... Read More

Practice Being Like a Child

Remember the master teacher once said 2000 years ago, "Unless... Read More

The Monkey With The Wooden Apples

There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating... Read More

How to Get Over Emotional Misery

Whether it's a holiday, anniversary, birthday or a time in... Read More

Comfort and Achievement

I'll share with you one of my deepest insights about... Read More

3 Big Fat Lies that Deserve to Die

Big Fat Lie 1: Your personality is formed and unchangeable... Read More

Summertime - Take Time To Smell The Roses

I AM SO GRATEFUL for the time to smell the... Read More

Living Authentically in a Masked World

Humanity seems to be the only species that never seems... Read More

You Are So Unreal

Mankind's ability to give life to lifeless objects, gives rise... Read More

Playing with Matches

Matches are all about power; a new world opens up... Read More

What Movies Can Teach You About Meaningful Coincidences (Use Them to Get What You Want)

When you have your dream clear in your mind and... Read More

Why Not Reinvent The Wheel?

"Why go and reinvent the wheel?" It's a question that's... Read More

Its About That Time

As we've reached the half way point of the year... Read More

The Secret Of Lasting Personal Change

Why do so many of us end up frustrated when... Read More

Blessings for the Soul

In Corrogue I count my Blessings.These are numerous. There is... Read More

The Information Age

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 1,... Read More

Life

Life is what happens to you, while you are making... Read More

Your James Bond Fantasies Become Real

The problem with this is that fantasies usually don't come... Read More

Care And Maintenance Of The Human Hard Drive

The human brain is very much like a hard drive.... Read More

8 Ways to Get Your Healthy Groove On

You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat." I... Read More

Financial Freedom Blues

Steps to Financial Freedom, roadmap to financial freedom, achieve financial... Read More

Coming To Your Senses, Again and Again!

When we talk about the Enchanted Self we are referring... Read More

Dreams Do Come True

Experience has made a lot of folks to consider dreams... Read More

A Pre-existing Condition

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2,... Read More

Fulfill Your Dreams: Believe in You

What we believe plays a very big role in outcomes... Read More

The Meaning of Life

Life ?.. Indeed is full of learning's, experiences, facts and... Read More

Dolphin Figurines evoke images of wild dolphins: How Do Dolphins Communicate?

Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More

The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and... Read More

Loving You

The difficulty in finding love that is good for you... Read More

Courage That Changes Your Life

"The scars you acquire while exercising courage will never make... Read More

Building Bridges, Not Walls!

Only twenty years ago, people would casually stroll the neibourhood,... Read More

The Two Choices We Face

Each of us has two distinct choices to make about... Read More