A retirement portfolio

When you stop working you may have retired, although I prefer the term postwork to retirement, but it’s better to think that you retire TO something, not FROM something. Why is this distinction so critical? Because it leaves open so many possibilities to investigate for your future with all the time you now have. More subtly, it acknowledges your future as a state of mind to embrace, as well as an opportunity, rather than a problem.

With this state of mind you can develop your own portfolio of activities.

Portfolios in action

A portfolio approach to postwork means that you now have each day in front of you largely as a series of self-directed activities, over which you have control. Here is me in action; a photo I took in Firenze that shows the Duomo in mysterious miniature; it may not be a work of art but it was part of my portfolio approach last year.

Some principles of postwork

·      Build your social network. You had it at work but now that’s gone: replace it.

·      Define your purpose and your meaning in life postwork: you can change it over time

·      Develop yourself: this is personal, and your ideas for yourself may not suit others

·      Have fun: you can now; and best of all, the boss is not watching.

How can a portfolio look in practice?

You can be as busy as you want to be, this photo may not capture your mood. But - if you develop  your portfolio - then you will be surprised how relevant it will become.