Loss of Purpose?
Has your world turned upside down? Are those unconscious daily habits and routines that turned into a job or if you were lucky a career no longer? Do you miss the industry you served and the people? Perhaps you lived at the right time and right place to partake in groundbreaking work to propel your team and customers forward? Those were the great days most of us can remember. If it isn’t any of the above, think of some memory where you feel you did your best, impacted others in a significant way, and moved the world. That’s it – PURPOSE.
What’s next?
Reimagining Your Purpose in Retirement
Retirement can also be bittersweet, as it brings with it a sense of loss and uncertainty about what the future holds. The thought of not being a part of the workforce anymore, of not having a distinct role, and not being able to contribute to society in the same way can be daunting. In this blog, we will explore some of the ways you can reset your sense of purpose in healthy retirement and find new meaning.
Reflect On Your Career
The first step to resetting your sense of purpose is to look back on your career and reflect on what you achieved, what you enjoyed doing, and what you learned. Honor those decades of experiences. Take some time to think about the skills you have gathered over the years, and consider how you could transfer them into a new context. Ask yourself, what really matters to you now? What energizes you now? What ignited the spark in you during your career? With these reflections, you can tap into who you are and who you are becoming.
Explore Passion
Use this time to explore your passions and interests, and consider how they could be turned into a new focus for your life. You might volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about, start a new business, or write a book. Whatever it is, as long as it ignites inspiration and energy, it will help you find a new sense of purpose. Can you see yourself exploring this passion deeply? Does this passion elicit a sense of joy; and where you lose a sense of time. You really have to LOVE this passion otherwise, keep exploring – don’t settle and sell yourself short.
Reconnect with Strengths and Weaknesses:
What skillset do you know is your strong suit, and what about your weaknesses? Think of your top three in each category, and circle what you feel will impact you most moving forward. Ask: Will I be able to offer this amazing skill set out into the world? Would I enjoy concentrating efforts on that strength? If the answer is: Not Really; broaden your reach. Learn a new skill set that fits with your current lifestyle. Why are you interested in developing this particular skill set? Where could you utilize that new strength to impact the world?
Conclusion:
Retirement is a time of transformation, exploring new horizons, and discovering new meaning in life. Step out of your comfort zone and do something daring that you’ve never done before. It can be easy to fall backwards to familiar routines and particular ways of being. Seeking out new experiences in life is critical to finding a renewed sense of purpose and energy. In retirement you have choice to reimagine your life and find new meanings. Healthy retirement is not an end; it’s a new beginning in all its glory.