The three ingredients of a purposeful retirement

The three
ingredients of a purposeful retirement

Retirement
& Longevity

The benefits
of a purpose-driven life don’t dissipate when you retire. Rather, without the
imposed daily and weekly structures of the working world, it may be even more
important to find purpose during this distinct stage of life.

With today’s
longer retirements, modern retirees have the time and health to pursue
ambitious new goals, redefining who they are in the world. Many report that
rather than seeing retirement as an extended R&R, they’re busier they could
have imagined. They’re still setting an alarm clock, but they’re making the
schedule.

But health
and happiness are not a given. Purpose and progress can help you get there and
sustain it.

The
elements of living well

If there is
a secret to living well in retirement, it might be found in three parts:
health, avocation and community. A fit mind and body keep you capable, a
diversion that demands mastery keeps you improving, and people in your life
help you stay connected to the world.

Health

As we get
older, we take fewer things for granted, except maybe our own habits. Decades
of the nine-to-five don’t lend themselves to healthy diets or disciplined
exercise routines. In retirement, you have the opportunity to start fresh and
create new habits, recognizing that it’s never too late to mind your physical
wellness.

Cognitive
health requires as much minding. Solving puzzles, trying new things and taking
on hobbies that require problem solving can help you stay sharp.

Avocation

People speak
of the importance of hobbies in retirement, but maybe a better word is
avocation, something that requires discipline and problem solving. Examples
include art, artisanship, volunteering, teaching and civic leadership.

So-called
“encore careers” are common avocations, allowing retirees to use their
experiences to, say, staff a nonprofit, become an entrepreneur or serve as an
educator.

The purpose
of an avocation in your retirement wellness plan is to create the cycle of
challenge and reward that is critical for maintaining your sense of place in
the world.

Community

When we get
older, we have to be deliberate about getting into the world and meeting
people. Houses of worship, community centers, libraries, community festivals,
coffee shops, trivia nights, book clubs – the world is filled with
opportunities to go out and enjoy the presence of others.

It’s also a
good idea to try to seek out people who are different than you in some way.
Volunteering can connect you with young people. So can auditing classes at the
local college, in which many make no-cost, no-grade seats available for
lifelong learners. City government is another good avenue, as a member of an
advisory board or department volunteer.

Finding
your perfect blend

Your
perfect, purposeful mix of health, avocation and community will be unique to
you. You might not discover it immediately, but if you give yourself the chance
to try and fail and try again, you’ll be able to find your own path.

Kent Pendleton, AAMS®

Financial Advisor, RJFS

Pendle Hill Advisors LLC

14375 Liberty St, Ste 109 | Montgomery,
TX 77356

T 936-297-8267

Kent.Pendleton@raymondjames.com | www.raymondjames.com/pendlehilladvisors

Material
created by Raymond James for use by its advisors. Securities offered
through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment
advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services
Advisors, Inc. Pendle Hill Advisors is not registered broker dealers and is
independent of Raymond James Financial Services.