Ask Dr. Ceren: Psych-Ing Yourself For Retirement (Part 2 of 2)
© 2003-2006, Sandra Levy Ceren. All Rights Reserved.

In order for you to determine your next step towards a satisfying life-style, get out a notebook and make a few lists. Start by listing all the things you've wanted to do, but didn't have the time.

What is stopping you from doing them now? Elaborate on those obstacles. What can you do to push them aside? Are you afraid you'll fail? What does failure at this time of your life signify?

What is truly important to you? Your health. Your family. Your friends. Peace in the world.

Do you want to better your relationships with friends and family? Learn how to improve relationships. Do you want to reconnect with old friends and places from your past? The Internet is a great place to search for them.

You may want to write your autobiography as a gift to your family or may get pleasure from finding long, lost relatives through studying genealogy -- again the Internet is a good resource.

Do you enjoy music? Take out an old musical instrument, dust it off and try it out. It may give you pleasure. Your skill may improve and you may join a group of musicians and play for your own enjoyment.

Okay, so you may not be able to become an accomplished musician because it takes long training and practice, but you may still enjoy playing an instrument -- perhaps an harmonica or guitar, or singing in a chorus. Be willing to compromise. If you can't afford to take that African safari due to your financial situation or a physical limitation, substitute with something similar but less energetic or expensive, but don't give up your dream. Half as good is better than nothing at all. If money is an obstacle, you may be able to join a group to travel at discount. This is the time for you to explore possible hidden talents. Take a variety of classes. You may find you have a special ability in an area formerly foreign to you. You may come to enjoy the challenge of learning new things.

If you've never worked with your hands, you may be delightfully surprised to discover that you have carpentry skills, or sculpting, painting, pottery, jewelry making.

You may find your sense of humor pays off in entertaining others for laughs. You may want to entertain at senior centers, hospitals or nursing homes.

Pick up a variety of adult education catalogs and go through them carefully. Imagine yourself doing the various assignments required from the classes. How does the image make you feel? Joyful? Timid? Challenged? Apprehensive? Try a variety of classes and see if you had misjudged. Computer skills are very handy. The Internet keeps you in touch with the world. You may want to learn to build a web page, or learn to do all kinds of things never before available to you.

Retirement signifies that you have earned freedom of job responsibilities. You no longer have to do anything you don't want to do in terms of making a living. You can spend your time the way you see fit.

Make an action plan.