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You’re no fun!
Has anybody ever said that to you? If you are a parent, the answer is surely yes. In fact, although kids can contribute to many happy moments, parenting means saying no and helping your kids develop responsibility and discipline. Maybe they said that about you at work too. There is a common understanding that most jobs suck (are no fun) and bosses frown on individuals who pretend otherwise.
But for today the question is:
“Do they say that that you’re no fun now that you are retired?”
If they do, or you suspect that they might if you had the nerve to ask, then you are failing big time in your retirement lifestyle plan.
“What do you mean?” you say.
“I don’t have a retirement lifestyle plan!”
And I reply, “Exactly!”
Retirement is when you focus on fun!
Let’s just be clear about retirement. You didn’t put in all those years sucking up and denying your soul to retire to boredom and routine?
Or did you?
Useful example to help get your head straight.
You always hear that being a Grandparent is way more fun than being a parent because:
1. You can go home when the trouble starts.
2. You can spoil them without worrying about the consequences.
3. You can be fun.
Bottom line: You get to enjoy all the fun of your grandchildren without any of the responsibilities (work) of parenting.
Apply that principle to retirement.
Retirement lifestyle should follow the same philosophy. Whatever retirement income you created provides you the foundation for creating a lifestyle where you enjoy the rest of your life. From now on everything that you do, every breath that you take should be focused on your passion. Maybe there is some work there but it is work that you love.
So, if you are retired and you are still no fun, your retirement lifestyle plan sucks! Give it up; Regroup and ask yourself what’s your passion? If you can’t find one, go sit in the corner until you do.
Then you need to make a retirement lifestyle plan built around that passion. And make sure that your plan is truly an evil plan.
Doesn’t every kid, especially when they become teenagers, think their parents are boring and no fun to be with? I know I did.
I can honestly say that no one has ever accused me of being no fun to be with (kids excepted, although not nowadays). In fact the opposite applies, sometimes I am accused of never growing up, and I hope it continues.
Grandparenting is great fun Ralph, as your reasons explain.
Bill
65 going on 21, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
Bill Murney’s last Blog Post ..Earl Hines
Bill,
I’m glad to hear that you don’t need this message.
Ralph…An evil Plan…I love it! Having fun has got to be a big part of retirement, working for a living was sure no fun. Thanks for the reminder. For me personally, the BlogOshere has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time: It’s meeting new people, creative and fresh daily. It’s a true joy to find guys like you and Bill out there in retirement-land, having a ball.
Hansi’s last Blog Post ..Jump In His Shit
Hansi,
Thanks for the kind words. Evil Plans are all well and good but I wonder if the world is ready for your Evil Plan. Time will tell.
Ralph, and “evil plan” sounds like a great idea! I have to set my mind to developing one.
Steve Skinner’s last Blog Post ..Is It A Sign
Steve,
Stay turned. Wednesdays are going to be evil plan days for a while. I’m working on my own evil plan.