| Many people anticipate boredom, misery and | | | | connections. |
| uselessness in retirement. In fact, many people are | | | | STEP #3: Keep learning new things. Learning keeps us |
| living this kind of retirement right now. These fears | | | | connected and vital. Learning keeps us young in spirit. |
| often weigh people down and actually stand in the | | | | Learning keeps the mind sharp and engaged with life. |
| way of enjoying a fulfilling and happy retirement. But | | | | Think of something you have often wanted to learn |
| you don’t have to be one of the people dreading | | | | more about, but never had time. Think of something |
| retirement. You can take charge of your life right now | | | | you could learn and then use to benefit others. Go |
| and start moving toward the exciting life you dream | | | | learn and, by learning, grow. |
| about for your retirement years. | | | | STEP #4: Make a difference and give back. When |
| If you deliberately take just five steps in the right | | | | you get involved in the community in some meaningful |
| direction, you can be on the path to making retirement | | | | way you reap countless benefits. Not only will you help |
| the very best years of your life. I know some people | | | | someone else, you will help yourself by engaging in |
| say the best years of our lives are in our youth. But I | | | | purposeful and rewarding activity. You have |
| am here to tell you – from personal experience – | | | | knowledge and experience. You have causes that you |
| that the best time of your life can actually be those | | | | care about passionately. You can make a difference. |
| years in the prime of your life. | | | | Get out there and change lives. |
| Take these five steps to set yourself on the path to | | | | STEP #5: Organize your life to achieve happiness. |
| firing up your retirement: | | | | I’m not just talking about getting organized. I’m |
| STEP #1: Find a new focus for your life. We simply | | | | suggesting that when we organize our lives we get |
| are not a generation that will be content sitting in a | | | | things in perspective and in balance. This allows us to |
| rocking chair watching a cat sleep. We want more | | | | keep our focus on the things that matter most to us |
| from life. So decide what makes you happy. Decide | | | | and pursue our dreams. When we focus on what is |
| what gives you a sense of purpose and meaning in | | | | most important to us, we don’t waste time chasing |
| life. Choose what you want and make it happen. | | | | things that just fill time. When we pursue what matters |
| STEP #2: Expand your connections with others. | | | | most to us with focus, we find happiness. |
| Staying home alone in front of a TV is just not good | | | | I promise you that when you take these five steps |
| for you. You need to be connected to other people. | | | | you will be on the path to a fired up retirement lifestyle. |
| So, get off the couch or out of the chair and go find | | | | These steps can take you beyond your fears about |
| ways to spend time with people you know and build | | | | retirement and give you the assurance that the |
| connections with people you don’t yet know. Join a | | | | second stage of your life will have purpose and |
| group or a club or get involved in a sport or other | | | | pizzazz. |
| activity. Go where the people are and make | | | | Copyright 2007 by Dr. |