AS THE YEARS GO BY, THE IDEA retirement becomes more and more real. For some, it’s a time of relaxation, travel, and enjoying the fruits of years of hard work. For others, it can be daunting: a significant life change, a shift in identity, and the uncertainty of what comes next. But what if I told you that retirement doesn’t have to be a scary unknown? What if, instead, you could prepare for this next phase of your life with the same dedication and drive you put into your career? In my years as an entrepreneur and advisor, I’ve worked with people at all stages of life. And one thing I’ve noticed is that successful retirement doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a result of thoughtful planning, smart decisions, and a shift in mindset. The earlier you start preparing, the more rewarding your retirement will be, both financially and personally. So, let’s talk about what you need to do to make sure your golden years are exactly that, golden. You’ve worked hard, now it’s time to reap the rewards. START WITH A VISION: WHAT DO YOU WANT RETIREMENT TO LOOK LIKE? The first step in preparing for retirement is about mindset. You need to figure out what you want from this next phase of life. Retirement isn’t just about not working anymore. It’s about embracing a new lifestyle, one that’s rooted in the things that matter most to you. Do you want to travel the world? Spend time with your grandkids? Start a new hobby or business venture? Have a leisurely routine or do something complete- ly unexpected? The beauty of retirement is that you get to choose what it looks like. But to do that, you have to start 80 JULY 2025 by visualizing it. Once you know what you want, you can then start building the plan to make it a reality. As I always say, you can’t achieve a goal if you don’t know what that goal is. So take the time to define your vision for retirement. Don’t stop by keeping it in your head. Write it down. The clearer the picture, the easier it will be to build the right strategy to get there. This resonates with Psalm 37:4, which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” As you define your vision for this next chapter, trust that God has placed those desires within you and that He will guide you to fulfill them. DEVELOP A NEW SENSE OF PURPOSE: MORE THAN JUST LEISURE One of the biggest challenges in re- tirement is figuring out what to do with your time. For many, work was not just a source of income, but also a source of purpose. So when the work stops, it can be a bit disorienting. Retirement doesn’t have to mean sitting back and doing nothing. In fact, I recommend finding a new purpose. Whether it’s volunteering, traveling, learning a new skill, or pursuing a long-held passion, there are endless opportunities to stay mentally and physically active in retirement. If you’ve got a dream or an idea you’ve put off for years, now is the time to go for it. Start by asking yourself: What do you really want to do with your time? What lights you up? The beauty of retirement is that you can carve out time for the things you love. Think of this stage as a new chapter where you can pursue your passions without the pressure of a 9-5 schedule. EMBRACING THE GOLDEN YEARS: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A REWARDING RETIREMENT Forging LEADERS { b y R y a n C o n n }
