As a financial advisor I have literally spoken to hundreds of retirees (either retired or looking to retire). Many never find their passion or calling in life simply because they do not look deep enough within themselves. I see people spend 30 years planning the first year of retirement. They forget to plan for the remaining years of their lifetime! 

People retire to the ideal life they imagined (travel, golf, a life of leisure) and most come back to the same conclusion: it was fun for a while, but it got old. We are built to be close to our Creator, to glorify and honor Him in all that we do. A life of just leisure is meaningless and leaves you desiring more.

As I interview potential clients, there are three questions I ask people as they either look to retire (move on to the next chapter of life) or change careers:

1) What comes easy to you but others struggle at?
2) What would you never stop doing even if you didn’t get paid for it?
3) How can you provide value to others?

These three questions usually generate some response and get their brains thinking. Don’t wait until retirement to “figure it out”. Start thinking about what you are passionate about today, even if you are ten or more years away from retirement.

There are three components to this thought process:
1) a vision: what is the end goal. Be specific. This may change from time to time. But picture your ideal day to day in retirement. How will you serve God?
2) What is your motivation? Why do you want to accomplish this goal?
3) What is a cause you are willing to fight for? This provides you the determination to never quit despite the prospects of failure.

Eat, drink, and be merry is the world’s way to retire.  This leads to a life of discontentment.   God does not call us to retiring from His work.  We do retire from jobs.  In Christ you can find the joy and passion he has installed in you and serve Him throughout your life.

Need more help sorting out your calling?  www.48days.com  is a great resource.  Read No More Mondays or 48 Days to the Work You Love.  A great book to help you think about your retirement before you retire is Tim Ferriss’ Four Hour Workweek: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/

 

Lastly, if you want to find purpose and passion in your finances, read The Faith-Based Millionaire!

 

Blessings,

Jay