Well, I never, we need to work longer as it will be good for us?
The more I speak to people the more we believe that we are persuaded, to work for as long as we can, or else we will become bored, depressed even, isolated, and alone. Yes, sadly this does happen to some of us, but I have spoken to many people who just thrive in retirement as long as they have suitable finances in place. We work hard through our lives achieving goals often set by others or those expected of us – to be” successful”. We have responsibilities to attend to and these often bring long hours, stress, and unhappiness as we work in jobs we just do not like or for those who ask for more and more of us. This is the norm. Hack it or you are a failure. We are so busy or so hemmed in with circumstances outside our control we fear not having a job, not having enough to get by no future. Whilst you are on this roller coaster you often have no time to reflect. When you are riding high it’s great, is it not, achieving goals, being admired, and feeling good?
However, this does not last forever, you have to keep on re-charging your batteries. You are the busy hamster on the wheel. Perhaps we need to look to the future and try and provide a healthy work life balance that people without millions can enjoy. Retirement will then be just another phase of your life to be enjoyed - a big thank you for all the work you have done in the past and you can still give back. If you already have a good work life balance, then retirement should not be too daunting?
Why are we so focused on pressing on to our kids that securing a job, even better a career is the most important aspect of their lives.; surely their wellbeing is? Yes, we have to earn to exist and that’s understood, but could we not look at different model? Entrepreneurs, why not masterplan a model that supports your employees and their lives and still make the profit you seek. Universal basic income may well be a starting point – or is that a worry to those with huge pots of money fearful they will not find the people they need to work in their businesses – well look again, change, and offer what people want – a long and fruitful life where retirement can be at whatever age they choose.