Cultivating a contribution mindset

Stepping forward into retirement often means stepping away from the work-centered lifestyle we’ve all been used to. This can be disorienting (even if we’ve been looking forward to it) because work influences us in ways beyond financial compensation.

Our work life gives us the benefits of community, time management; it gives us a sense of purpose and place in society. Regardless of whether or not we want or need to continue working for financial benefits in retirement, it’s important to make sure the other components of our former work life are replaced in a meaningful way so that we feel most fulfilled now.

As you think about what you might want to do in retirement to fill your days, stimulate your mind, and be connected to others – whether that be as a volunteer or for financial compensation, I encourage you to look at your new life through a broader perspective of contribution to something that is of personal importance or interest instead of a more limited view of a job. 

A helpful first step in developing a contribution mindset, is to think about why you want to contribute. This makes it easier to choose what you want to do and how you’re going to do it. Do you want to share your knowledge or skills? Leave a legacy or special impact in the world? Avoid boredom? Feel useful? Add structure to your life? Meet new people? Help your children? Pay the bills? Have fun? 

Challenge: start a list of WHY you want to contribute to something in retirement. Don’t edit yourself, be brave, honest, and vulnerable…all reasons are valid. Identify as many reasons as you can why contributing your time and talents feels important to you now.

Shifting toward a contribution mindset can expand the possibilities of what you’ll do next, inspire you to see yourself as someone who makes a difference and reinforce your sense of purpose and engagement with life.

#Retirement #Purpose