Many baby boomers say they would like to work in retirement. Yet, in practice, most don’t focus on planning their second acts until after they retire. They are simply too busy juggling the demands of their busy present day lives.
But if you want to maximize your options for the future, it’s important to plan ahead. Fortunately, there are some very simple and fun things you can do to get the process rolling — even while you’re still working full-time. Here are four steps to consider:
[Read: How Working an Extra Year Improves Your Retirement Finances.]
1. Set-up a running file of second-act career ideas. No matter how many years you have until retirement, chances are you have at least a few thoughts about what you’d like to do in the second half of life. Perhaps you’re considering work as a consultant, starting a business with a colleague or finding a position with a nonprofit. Or maybe you’re thinking of ways to work on a boat or make money from your crafts.
Whatever your “someday dreams”, it’s helpful to capture them in writing. So start a file of second-act possibilities. It really doesn’t matter if you capture your ideas in a journal, on the computer or in a pretty notebook, so long as you collect them in one place. Whether it is an “aha” moment, a resource you’d like to explore later or a story that inspires you, get it down in writing. Over time, you will build a running narrative and a collection of resources and ideas that will help lead you into your next act.
2. Surround yourself with second-act inspiration. While working full-time it can be hard to focus on second-act career ideas. But one of the best ways to expand your sense of what’s possible is to learn from other second-act career reinvention stories. We all enjoy a good story, and there is almost always a tip, resource or lesson that can be valuable to your situation.
Fortunately, there is a growing collection of inspirational second-act stories on the web. A few of my personal favorites include the PBS site for people over 50 NextAvenue.org , the nonprofit Encore.org and the Unretirement podcast at infiniteguest.org. You’ll find many more suggestions on my list of over 100 great second-act career resources on my website at MyLifestyleCareer.com.
Another great way to source stories is to set-up a Google alert for the terms “second act” or “work during retirement.” That way, you’ll have a steady flow of second-act stories delivered to your inbox on a regular basis.
[See: 10 Ways to Make Extra Money in Retirement.]
3. Create a second act vision board. Admittedly, this suggestion might strike some of you as a bit airy-fairy. But visualization can be an incredibly powerful and transformative tool. Graphic depictions are an integral part of how we communicate and make sense of the world around us.
So, even if this feels a bit outside your comfort zone, give it a try. It’s an easy project, and all you need to get rolling are some magazines, glue and a poster board (or you can build a vision board using sites like Pinterest).
Display on your board anything related to your second-act vision. You can post photos of travel destinations, hobbies or appealing work settings, such as a bookstore or National Parks, as well as quotes or words that reflect your second-act vision.
Remember, when it comes to imagining your future, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Creating a vision board can help unlock possibilities that you struggle to express through words alone.
4. Throw a second-act brainstorming party. By the time you hit middle age, you have a wide network of associates who can provide interesting ideas, perspectives and experiences that might be useful in planning your second act. Of course, you can always meet with friends over coffee to ask for their advice and assistance. But a brainstorming party makes for a fun event, and you’ll be amazed by how many great ideas will be generated in a group dynamic.
To host a brainstorming party, just invite a group of six to eight friends over for a casual brunch or dinner. Of course, you only want to include people who are supportive personalities and creative thinkers. Throw out a few questions to focus the discussion, and then let the conversation flow. Allow people to speak freely and avoid the temptation to critique ideas as they get shared. And make it easy for people to help you by asking for specific information and resources. The clearer you are, the greater the odds your friends will be able to help you in concrete and meaningful ways.
[See: The Best Cities for Retirement Jobs.]
Remember, regardless of where you are on the road to retirement, it’s never too early to begin to prepare for an active, fulfilling and meaningful second act. The important thing is to get started.
Nancy Collamer is the author of “Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit From Your Passions During Semi-Retirement” and blogs at mylifestylecareer.com.
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4 Easy Ways to Prepare for a Second-Act Career originally appeared on usnews.com
