The common thread for all these positive people was that they added something entirely new to their lives. They began investigating activities, sports, and hobbies they had never participated in before. Their inquisitiveness was eventually rewarded. Most reported that it didn't happen overnight. Most tried something and decided it wasn't for them. They didn't stop there. They continued their exploration If there was a common theme it was that they were all willing to try, fail, and dare to discard, so they could move on to something else. Their secret sauce was persistence.
Identifying the activity was just the start. The real catalyst was that they were willing to devote time to learning something new. They acknowledged to themselves they were beginners. They were unashamed to ask questions, try and fail, and try again. You could call it Retirement Bravery.
The range of the groups new activities was extremely broad and included painting, writing, collecting, learning to play pickle ball, croquet, and golf or embracing a musical instrument. All we can say is that guitar sales must really be up!
Futurist Malcom Gladwell says that in order to become really good at something you have to put ten thousand hours of practice into it. At this stage, you may not have the ten thousand hours to put into whatever you choose to do. But the time you do devote to a the activity will garner a payoff in personal fulfillment.
The group also cautioned that in order to find the time to pursue the new interest, you may have to say no to other things. You may have to limit the other activities you already have in your life including spending as much time with family and friends.
