Okay, so retirement isn’t actually the end of life addressed in the famous poem by Dylan Thomas, but for many it presents the challenge of replacing the assurance, routine and purpose of a career.

Men seem to experience a greater sense of loss than women as they enter the twilight zone of transitioning to retirement, generally having paid less attention to nurturing friendships and building the social networks that will sustain them beyond their working lives. This is recognised in the purpose of the international Men’s Shed movement, for which I was recently pleased to accept a board position in my home state.

I appreciate all this because a few years ago I chose to end my full-time career to leap back into self-employment and to consider opportunities to volunteer for organisations whose values I share.

The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and the world-renowned extended lockdowns in Melbourne made this an extremely challenging period to set out on this journey. Business and social transformation was happening at warp speed relative to the rate of pre-pandemic change.

However, it did not alter the fundamentals of the change management associated with the transition from full-time work. While the loss of regular income is a considerable adjustment that is as much psychological as anything else, a much greater challenge is mapping a path towards achieving fulfilment and a sense of purpose for life’s later stages.

I was fortunate by being employed in the superannuation sector and talking with financial planners and educators, as I understood the importance in my 50s of laying some groundwork for future years. So I took some actions and time to think.

As a tech-savvy communications professional, I could see a need and opportunity to contribute to boards, particularly those in the not-for-profit sector who may not be able to afford or attract people with those skills. I completed the AICD’s company director course to formalise and augment my knowledge and skills while still employed, as deferring would cost me time through my transition years.

My interests have always been big picture and futuristic. I enjoy immersion in the natural environment and have been involved in various WWF campaigns supporting its preservation over the years. I have been an early adopter of technology and an advocate for and driver of tech-based business transformation. I am fascinated by science and its possibilities and am currently completing an online astrophysics course. But I am also concerned about the impacts of rapid change on those it leaves behind socially, economically and psychologically.

The point of these personal disclosures is that within them were the fibre optic threads I could align to illuminate a path forward. Everyone has these threads and they will all be different, but they are undoubtedly there.

Having identified them, the most important drivers for executing a future plan are managing personal expectations and accepting the timeframe in which it is practical to pass various milestones and realise goals.

For me, the second was the most challenging. Never one to respond well to deferment or delay, my original timeframe for hitting my target was twelve months. It took three years. Of course, the pandemic made for unusual circumstances and extended timelines. Nonetheless, for someone used to getting stuff done, the timeline was frustrating.

Verbology is a project that is as much an avenue for me to continue copywriting and blogging as much as it is about generating income. It was launched prior to terminating my full time employment and, happily, has been a vehicle for winning some paid gigs. As a writer, it was a natural segue for me. No matter what your previous path, one of the tricks to transition is to find your segue.

Relating my experience comes with the considerable caveat that funding my retirement is not an existential issue as it is for some. Achieving post-career financial security in Australia is a combination of consistent employment and the regular mandatory superannuation contributions that go with it, good health, home ownership and a big dose of luck. The stars don’t line up for everyone, making the less existential issue of purposefully filling in your days seem more of a Gucci accessory.

While money creates greater choice and flexibility, it is not a differentiator when it comes to plotting a fulfilling path forward. The key to success is to starting thinking and planning early. As a former colleague for whom retirement was involuntary and early, “there’s only so many hours you can sit on the verandah and admire the view before going nuts”.

Photo: James Hose Jr on Unsplash