Before retiring I spent most of my professional life in some sort of leadersip position. This has given me a lot of experience and insights into leadership. The funny thing is now, I seem to not be able to lead myself out of a wet paper bag.
I find it a little perplexing how this happened. It didn't happen over night either. I transitioned from mostly structured work environments where I guided and coached others to a more self directed phase of my life.
You would think that it would be a synch to just lead yourself versus a group of people, but for me it has been quite challenging. I think it is more about finding purpose and motivation for myself.
Finding new purpose and motivation after retiring from two careers has been a big adjustment for me. It’s a shift from roles where I had clear goals and responsibilities to one where I have to create my own path.
It has helped a great deal to reconnect with old hobbies like my coin collecting hobby and I am really starting to enjoy involvement with my veteran organizations.
I am even starting up a new exercise plan. I am looking at a mixture of walking and using a seated cycling trainer when my syncope is acting up. Combining walking with a seated cycling trainer can help me stay active while managing my syncope. It allows for flexibility depending on how I feel each day.
Leading yourself can be different than leading others. When I was leading others at work there was a mission, clear objectives and goals established. Everyone had established responsibilites and there was accoutnability. Most of all there was structure.
After retirement, the structure and accountability disappear and it has been a challenge to estbalish a new sense of direction I guess. I think one of the reasons this might be happneing is the change in my identity.
A significant part of my identity was tied to my careers and leadership roles. As I have stated, retirement feels like a loss of purpose. I mean it does make sense, I spent a large part of my life in a leadership role, so it became a core part of who I am.
Transitioning away from the leadership roles have left a gap, but I don't know if it is natural or not to feel the way I feel right now or behave the way I am.
What I do know is that rediscovering or redefining my purpose is going to be a journey. Reflecting on what aspects of leadership brought me the most satisfaction, which was watching people grow and succeed, and incorporating those elements into my daily life now seems to be the answer.
I know I am on the right track with volutneering with my veterans organization, so hoepfully I will continue to find purpose through that.
Until next time...
Thanks for reading,
Joe
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It is a definite change from working to retirement, but it sounds like you are on the right track with your coin collecting and veteran's programs. Sounds like you need a whole pack of new people to boss around LOL. I have no doubt you'll figure it out.
Syncope was a new one for me...I had to look it up to find out what it is. It sounds like it could be scary at times, like driving. Has it limited your activities at all?
Thanks, yeah, it has been a struggle for me mentally. But like you said, I got this.
Yeah, the syncope prevents me from driving and does limit my activities for now.
The driving is what I was thinking of. Is there anything to be done for that condition?
I am taking meds for it. They are adjusting as we go.
That's good to hear!
I can imagine the change man, it’s difficult for sure. We are so grown to living our lives according to our careers which is good but there’s not a really good system set up for the phase of life that is retirement. It’s really an interesting thing because there’s certainly a need for these types of things.
One of the things I did in college was related to this type of stuff, and I’m not as familiar today but I would check to see if your local area has a Council on Aging. It’s a good start for trying to find a purpose as they have a lot of things to help people that are post work and could even have needs of their own if you are inclined to it. Only do what you can though, without too much!
Syncope is a challenge for sure, hopefully you can get that sorted out through exercise and losing a few pounds so that you can spend more time walking instead of the bike! In addition to walking and the bike though it’s very important to incorporate light weight exercises as well. Cardio work is good but strong muscles have been linked to a longer and more enjoyable life in the people in retirement age and beyond. Food for thought!
It is even compounded because I am an early retiree. I medically retired, so no really even retirement age yet.
Already ahead of you on the weight or resistance training. Equipment is in the basemnet for that when the time comes.
The meds I am on for the syncope seems to be starting to control it. Hoepfully it will be sorted soon.
I hear you there, since becoming disabled the whole direction of everything in my life changed. Finding new things to keep myself occupied has become a necessity. Finding that sense of structure in walking is a good idea. It's not the same as being a Marine, but it gives you something to work at. I know some days I struggle to get anything done. Retirement does take a huge chunk of your life away, but it's good you're finding things to slowly fill the void is a great thing!
Same here with regard to the medical retirement. I am also thinking about starting up a part time virtual consulting business, but I don't know yet. I did it once and it didn't work out so well. Then again I tried during my dark days when I lsot my mind for a while. So maybe now, with a level head, I can manage better, especially being just a part time thing.
I get it. I am retired myself and as I am a bit introvert I do not make friends easily. But the few projects I have now help me getting out of bed optimistic each day.
I am the same when it comes to making friends. I think that is why I gravitate to other veterans. It is easier to make friends as we have something in common and I can relate. As far as projects, I think that is where I need to get myself back on track is to add some more structure to my life again and start holding myself accountable too. Right now, I just get up and do whatever comes along.
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On this topic of purpose, I find it confusing. I keep wondering what I am meant to be doing, what my purpose in life is. Sometimes, I just focus in the here and now. I am in school so I make having good grades my purpose. But after school, what next?
This is a recurring question in my mind. Thanks for this deep reflection.
Only you will be able to answer that question. You sound like you are still very young, so maybe good grades is all you need to worry about for now. Then enjoy your time after school with your friends.
Good advice. Thank you!