Retirement Transition: An Innovation Approach

by Patricia West Doyle

So much of retirement planning focuses on the financial planning, providing guidance on investment balance, cash flow management, and how much should you save. But very little talks about How-to-Define the hopefully many days after the big day. What about all the non-financial elements of retirement? There is no longer any cookie-cutter vision for retirement life. The old paradigms of retirement are falling away for new 21st Century Retirement Lifestyles. The options can feel endless; some people will tell you what you should do. Unfortunately there is no perfect list of “Five Things To Do” for a happy retirement. So, how do you create YOUR best retirement? Retirement Transition is designed to walk you through creating your own 21st Century Retirement Lifestyle. This book outlines a How-To process based on a proven Innovation Process and has many practical tools and exercises Articulate your high priority core VALUES. Know which SKILLS and STRENGTHS you want/have in this next life stage. Understand what MOTIVATES you and what INTERESTS you. Clarify the important ROLES you will have in this next life stage. Generate ideas and insights into your future using a holistic LIFE DOMAINS framework. Craft a LIFE VISION statement and have joint “me, you, we” conversations, if needed. Explore POSSIBILITIES and learn how to CHOOSE which to focus on. Begin ACTIVATING your 21st Century Retirement Lifestyle Vision. Understand your personal BARRIERS to getting new things or new habits started.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2019

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very helpful and informative book that helps to broaden the experience of what it means to transition from the old and familiar to new routines, challenges, and horizons. The author worked in R&D doing consumer product and brand innovation, and in fact it was the innovation side of her expertise which is why this book is so helpful. Seeing herself as a "product" much like the ones she helped to develop and ultimately sell to consumers, the author takes the readers through steps that have allowed her to adjust to a less routine life but one that is equally rewarding.

In particular, I enjoyed her concept of looking for Jolts of Joy:

"They are are about "identifying the little things in life that bring you joy - the small things that just bring a smile to your face, warmth to your heart. Then, once you consciously know what they are, trying to incorporate them into your everyday life."

For me that underscored the importance of making retirement what is important to you, and only you. As she makes plain, "You can't delegate or outsource this work."

Most chapters include checklists, graphics, and a few questionnaires to offer the reader a chance to gauge their own likes and dislikes. References are often made to her retirement blog, which in itself is a very interesting, helpful, and fun resource for people who are wondering what life might be like after they take this important plunge.

There are lots of retirement books out there, but I think this one should also be included into your mix of choices.