Don’t Drag Out the Same New Year’s Resolutions This Year

I’m tired of meeting woulda, coulda, shoulda people...you know who you are. You talk about the changes that you are going to make in the new year. You say that this is the year to get down to business, to plan, take action, get in control, and it sounds great, then nothing. We’ve all been there. There’s a gap between what we say, and what we do. There’s a lot of lip service going on. I’m not saying that we aren’t serious about making resolutions, or whatever we want to call them, I think that often the resolutions are things we think we “should” do. I’m challenging you to rewire your thinking about your resolutions! Yes, losing weight (weightwatchers.com), switching careers, (careerbuilder.com) volunteering (volunteermatch.com) or just getting your life in balance is good…but let me add a resolution that is a little different…Take the time to discover what makes you tick.

Yes, stop and reflect on YOU. Gain some SELF KNOWLEDGE.

Many people over 50, even 45, are thinking about their future...from the financial standpoint, but also from the “what can I do today to make life better today and tomorrow?” I say this is the year to take an inward journey…to discover what drives or motivates you. If you have no idea where or how to begin…check out the 85 drivers listed in DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! Look at your life and ask where am I getting fulfillment? And if it comes up a little empty then there’s your opportunity to add new activities. Start looking inside before you look outside for answers.

Make that a resolution!

Jeri's Rewirement Tips

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here is a list of tips I like to give people to get them going in the right direction. Enjoy!

Don’t think too small when you do your rewirement planning.
This is the time to “let the kite out!”

Know why you want to retire.
Your decision should not be based solely on your hitting a certain age or a certain financial number.

Plan ahead.
Challenge the conventional notion of retirement. Begin planning with your specific interests and needs at the top of your mind. The goal is to create a customized retirement for yourself or as we call it rewirement®.

Start a rewirement journal.
Set it up by section. Write down your thoughts, dreams and goals. Refer back to it often.

Define what retirement means to you.
Identify how you perceive it---positive, negative, or mixed--- and know why.

Don’t covet your neighbor’s retirement.
Seek advice but remember what may be terrific for your neighbor may not be right for you.

Determine what you consider to be a good rewirement and why.
Develop a list of ingredients that you think constitute a happy future. Record the criteria in your journal and note ideas on how to achieve them.

Identify what activities and associations will end with retirement.
Some things that end will be out of your control, others won’t be. Identify which ones you’ll miss.

Accept rewirement as a time of-- and for-- change.
Think about what will change in your life, and what you want to change. Also cite what you don’t want to have changed.

Acknowledge how you handle change.
Do you run from it; thrive on it; embrace it; lead it? This insight should guide your planning.

Keep your values close.
Our values are our anchors. Is work your anchor? Recognize that the absence of work may leave you feeling adrift.