Get over ordinary.
Ordinary is all around me. I’m ordinary. What I know is ordinary. Yet somehow I have a goal- a retirement wish– to make my retirement lifestyle outrageous. Where did that come from? Was it always there but suppressed in order to fit in at work or in my community. Was it inspired subliminally from something I read? I don’t know and I suppose it doesn’t really matter. The question is: what do I do about it?
I’ve been spouting off about my goal for some time now. I have danced around the definition of outrageous. I postured about making my retirement outrageous but the simple fact remains that my retirement lifestyle is pretty ordinary. No world tours! No life changing contributions to charities! Nobody that will remember me or anything I did as extraordinary- let alone outrageous.
So what’s the problem?
Part of the problem is vision. Ordinary doesn’t know how to find outrageous because it speaks a different language and hides in plain sight. I could look right at it and never realize what it is. I do know some of the secrets that can make outrageous acts possible. They aren’t glamorous or fun and they certainly appear to be the antithesis of outrageous. I am talking about budgeting and planning your time and money. I mean saving money and thinking about long term satisfaction instead of instant gratification. I mean using your time to get smarter and better instead of wasting it on play. I knew those activities were important but I put them off- until now.
Make an action plan and think delayed gratification
Two things are clear. If you want an outrageous retirement lifestyle you need time and you need money. You don’t get either without planning and commitment. And the truth is, if you are taking the time to budget your time and money, you are already outrageous because most people won’t make the effort. I may look ordinary and my lifestyle pretty much like the normal retiree but because I am focused on managing my time and money, I am on the way to outrageous. Are you settling for ordinary or do you want your retirement to be outrageous?
What I like about this post is its honesty. We all, myself included, talk a good game but rarely “walk the walk.” A memorable retirement lifestyle will not just happen. It isn’t owed to us, regardless of how clever and smart we view ourselves. It takes vision, work, sacrifice, and specific goals.
“I am on the way to outrageous.” That is a goal I can support.
Bob’s last Blog Post ..Are Healthy Eating and Exercise the Evil Twins
Bob.
I can tell you are on the way from reading your blog. Thanks for the inspiration. When I make it to outrageous, I expect to see you there.
Ralph’s last Blog Post ..Healthy Aging- Learn about the Rainbow Diet
“No life changing contributions to charities! Nobody that will remember me or anything I did as extraordinary- let alone outrageous.”
What’s life changing? How many do we want…need…to remember us?
I live on $1088 a month. I have NO fall back, yet I feed a family of three that is hurting truly through no fault of their own. They are slowly digging out, and I’m glad to help. Before them it was two troubled young men…addicts fresh into recovery.
After the current family? I dunno…something will show up.
The point is, it doesn’t have to be a million dollar donation to a charity, and thousands don’t have to remember you. At least for me, my tiny little bit and my small group of people whose lives I have, hopefully, helped, is enough…more than enough.
It makes me feel rich inside…and if I’m feeling that way it doesn’t matter what’s in my pockets.
Bob,
That is outrageous! Thanks for sharing that.
Ralph’s last Blog Post ..Retirement Wishes- You want to be Outrageous