As people live longer, retirement has taken on a new face. In the space between working full time and doing nothing at all, there are opportunities for retirees to find fulfillment and satisfaction in their days. On this episode of The Digital Enterprise Society podcast, Craig Brown and Thom Singer welcome DES Trustee for Content Mark Pendergast for a deep conversation about retirement- how to fail at retirement (which both Craig and Mark have done exceptionally well) and how to find the right mix of work and relaxation as you reach the winding up stage of your career. 

 

On today’s podcast, you will learn:

 

What does it mean to fail at retirement?

• Failed retirement can mean getting rid of the drudgery and still actively participating in the fun parts of your work. 
• If you still have one foot in the industry, you’re failing at retirement. 
• In some instances, forced retirement means you’re pushed out of the workforce whether you like it or not. 
• Failing at retirement may or may not have anything to do with your financial situation. 
• A first attempt at retirement can teach you a lot about how you want to spend your days. 

 

What does retirement look like now?

• As people live longer, retirement has taken on a new face. 
• In between working full time and doing nothing full time, there are great opportunities for contribution and fulfillment. 
• People who are passionate about their work are rarely ready to walk away from it entirely. 
• Active retirees may not have the same stamina they once had, but their knowledge and experience are more valuable than ever. 
• Retirement today means giving back to the next generation. 

 

Why is retirement so hard? 

• The physical aspect of a job might not be an option anymore, but the intellectual aspect of work doesn’t necessarily need to retire. 
• Retirement is often viewed as a kind of failure, but it’s really just the next chapter of your meaningful contributions. 
• Workaholics especially can have a hard time facing and filling the gap that retirement creates. 
• A career creates identity, while retirement requires a reinvention of an identity. 

 

How to prepare for a successful retirement 

• If you’re a workaholic, start taking more time off from work. 
• Take note of the work that you enjoy doing most. 
• Take good care of your health so that you can fully enjoy this stage of your life. 
• Build connections that will bridge you to this next stage. 
• Identify the valuable contributions that you can make regardless of your current job. 

 

Continue the conversation with us within the Digital Enterprise Society Community at DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.

 

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