As you embark on your retirement journey, life’s question changes from what can you do to what will you do? You have so many choices that are available to you that the question of what to do next can be daunting. I explore these questions with Michael Bungay, author of the new book, How to Begin. 

Michael’s interview isn’t the only thing that’s in store for you today on the Retirement Answer Man show. This is the third installment of Retirement Plan Live with Joelle. Last week Joelle shared her dreams for retirement, so today we crunch some numbers to see how she will create her retirement paycheck. Make sure to sign up for the webinar on January 27 to see whether Joelle’s retirement will be feasible. What will you do next? 

Often in midlife, you reach a crossroads where you have to decide what’s next. At this age, you have experience, contacts, and resources which opens a wealth of opportunities. So, how can you figure out what you should focus on in your next chapter? Think about what will bring out the best in yourself. Should you create You+ or You 2.0? 

Michael likes to compare this process of reinventing yourself to technology. You have the choice of creating You+ or You2.0. 

You+ is like getting a new app on your phone. It will improve your life for a while, but then you begin to plateau and you have to think about what is next. You 2.0 is like getting an entirely new operating system that can last for decades. Take this time to think about what your You version 2.0 will be. 

Michael’s book, How to Begin, lays out the process to help you figure out how to create You 2.0. You’ll learn how to set a worthy goal and make a difference that lights you up all while moving you towards the edge of what is possible. How to begin the process with fresh eyes? 

Systems start breaking down once you reach the next level in anything that you do. The same holds true for reinventing yourself. To begin again you need to start by thinking about who you are so that you can set a worthy goal. Your first guess won’t be the best one, but as you work through the process it will help you to polish and refine your goal. 

The next step is to commit. Before you commit yourself to your goal, you’ll want to weigh your choices. Think about the prizes and punishments for completing or not completing your goal. 

Finally, it is time to make progress on your worthy goal. Goal setting is a challenging process, that is why it is important not to waste your time on the wrong goals. Your goals should be important to you and make the world a better place. What impact do you want to make on the world? 

If you are trying to figure out who you will become in the next phase of your life, check out How to Begin by Michael Bungay to help you get started. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE WITH JOELLE 

• [3:37] Joelle feels content with her retirement dreams
• [7:18] Looking at Joelle’s social capital
• [12:40] Joelle won’t have any human capital
• [16:16] Let’s look at Joelle’s financial capital

MICHAEL BUNGAY INTERVIEW 

• [25:25] Who is Michael Bungay?
• [29:36] Michael’s second mountain
• [32:50] The difference between Michael+ and Michael 2.0
• [35:38] How to begin the process with fresh eyes

TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT 

• [53:46] Challenge yourself to see whether you are improving yourself or can you reimagine a new operating system

Resources Mentioned In This Episode
BOOK - How to Begin by Michael Bungay
BOOK - The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay
PODCAST - 2 Pages with MBS
BOOK - The Second Mountain by David Brooks
BOOK - From Good to Great by Jim Collins
Erin Weed - The Dig
Retirement Plan Live Webinar January 27
LTCI Partners
Social Security Detailed Calculator
Rock Retirement Club
Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That
BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney
Work with Roger
Roger’s Retirement Learning Center