What is Retirement Coaching? How can it help you to navigate the transition from a working life to retirement?

Hello, my name is Jon Glass, and I'm a retirement coach. You might be wondering, what does that mean? Allow me to explain. In my opinion, there are three essential pillars to a fulfilling retired life. The first pillar is financial, and as I'm not a financial planner, I won't delve into that. The second pillar is your health, but since I'm not a medical doctor, I won't be discussing that either. The third pillar, and the one I focus on in this blogpost, is what I like to call your emotional life in retirement.

Now, you might be asking yourself, what could he possibly mean by "emotional life"? Let me take you through it. In my view, as you cross the bridge from a working life to a retired life, several things will happen. Some of these changes you might anticipate in advance, while others might only become apparent as they unfold. This transition to retirement is a significant life event, and it's something worth thinking about deeply.

Firstly, let's talk about the things you might miss from your working life. Some aspects will be negative—like perhaps the two hours of daily commuting that you certainly won't miss. However, there are also positive aspects that you might not realize you'll miss until they're gone. For instance, you might miss the social interactions, the camaraderie, and the banter you had with your colleagues. In addition, work typically provides you with a structured routine, and you might miss the predictability that accompanies it.

Of course, everyone is different, and what you miss will be unique to you. I've actually developed a comprehensive (and extremely long) checklist of potential things people might miss when they retire, which I’d be happy to share with you.

But missing aspects of work is just one part of the equation. The next thing you'll need to consider is your sense of meaning or purpose in retired life. Purpose might sound a bit abstract, so let's call it your "reason to get up each day." Having a sense of purpose is crucial because it feeds directly into something more tangible—your identity.

In your working life, your identity was, at least partially, defined by your job. Whether you were a train driver, a lawyer, or something else, you had a clear answer to the question: "What do you do?" But in retired life, answering that question becomes a bit more complicated. You might find yourself struggling to define who you are without your job title. This is why it's important to consider what your identity will be in retirement. How do you want to be known? What will give your life meaning and structure that you can easily explain to other people (and to yourself for that matter)?

This brings me to the final point—retirement coaching. What exactly is retirement coaching, and how can it help? Great question! Most people are familiar with the concept of coaching, for example a football coach who helps players improve their game. A retirement coach, on the other hand, works with you to navigate the emotional and psychological aspects of the transition to retirement. I sit with my clients, listen carefully to their answers to thoughtfully-posed questions, and then guide them toward making choices that help them construct a meaningful and fulfilling retired life.

This process is incredibly valuable because it helps you clarify your thoughts and feelings about retirement, and it gives you the tools to build a life that is rich in purpose and satisfaction. Whether you're just starting to think about retirement or are already retired but struggling to find your footing, coaching can provide the support and direction you need.

For more details on what 64PLUS can offer, please visit our website at www.64plus.com.au. You can also reach me directly via the email address provided there. I'm here to help you make the most of your transition to retirement and ensure that your emotional life in retirement is as rewarding as it can be.