Do Business Well

Retirement is a joy to some and a misery to others. The reaction for the latter group can be so extreme that retirement can almost be seen as a death sentence. Without getting too moribund, let me say that retirement is a concern which all too often is put on the shelf until the retirement period arrives. If not sufficient forethought has been given to this important period of one’s life, the retired individual can sit perplexed and despondent, wondering how to occupy each day.

The ideal preparation for retirement is performed during the working years when the vigour is there to establish hobbies and interests and make productive plans.

James was a career public servant who had been head of his department for the eight years preceding his retirement. At his retirement party, many of his co-workers asked about his plans. He replied that he would probably just potter around the house and garden. Potter he did. As he wasn’t really a fix-it type person and he disliked dirty finger nails and other gardening by-products, he roamed the house and garden much like a frustrated caged animal. James‘ wife was the person who sought counselling, as she was finding it more and more difficult to tolerate his growing irritability and restlessness.

The precipitating event which brought the problem to a head was James‘ decision to re-organise the kitchen cabinets. He told his wife that workplace efficiency was paramount and that her kitchen was hopelessly disorganised. The kitchen battle over the placement of pots and pans almost brought a marriage of thirty- eight years to an end. Fortunately, they had the good sense to seek counselling. After several sessions, James realised that he had to develop his own interests and leave the kitchen to his wife. He found it difficult to forge into new areas, but he now has several weekly commitments, including reading for blind people, learning to play golf and serving on several committees where his previous expertise can be fruitfully used.

As in James‘ case, working too hard during the employment years so that one can relax in retirement is very short-term thinking. For one thing, time is necessary to learn skills and develop interests which can be nurtured through the maturing years. The other problem is that working too hard during the early and middle employment years might precipitate an early termination. It is not uncommon to hear about people who have worked themselves to death.

Some organisations are recognising the value of encouraging their employees to develop recreational interests. In addition to helping the employee deal with future retirement, the recreational interests add diversity to the working week. If your organisation has employee recreational programs, consider taking part in them to develop your interests.

One retirement activity which is worth mentioning to untiring entrepreneurs is starting yet another business. In the latter years, the entrepreneur may not want to do battle with the strong market forces, but may still derive satisfaction from doing one’s own thing. Let me mention an example. A retired vicar whom I know felt the strong need to keep actively involved. I guess being a vicar can be seen in some ways as an entrepreneurial activity. At retirement, the vicar took up wood turning as a hobby and derived much personal satisfaction from his work at the lathe. The products of his hobby were so appealing that friends started commissioning work from him. As word spread, more and more requests came in, such that the vicar invested in a larger lathe. Today, the vicar runs a thriving small business keeping him interested and satisfied during his retirement period.

Retirement, therefore, is a period to be planned for and then pursued with interest and enthusiasm. Think ahead during y working years so that you have the personal skills and resource for this important period of your life.

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