What keeps you up at night?

Our community here at Mind Switch is always full of surprises. One of our members has an extensive career in radio and has offered to coach me on the Retire & Aspire podcast, which I very much appreciate. In our discussion he asked, ‘what keeps your listeners and readers up at night when they think about their work-optional life?’ I have had hundreds of conversations with individuals, and there are certainly recurring answers and themes but I don’t think I have ever asked you directly what is your most pressing concern about your work-optional life, whether you are planning for it or living it right now?

Up until recently, the most common concern was around finances, but according to the EBRI (Earnings Benefits Research Institute), the two most recent annual survey results show there is a new gold medalist. The new champion for most pressing concern is experiencing relevance as you leave your career and other responsibilities tail off. Relevance? With a career gone, technology becoming more omni-present – I get it.

But perhaps your concern is centred around finding new daily purpose or relationships (we will discuss Grey Divorce in another issue) or overall vitality. We all have had unique journeys. I have been blessed with an able body but arthritis decided to show up to the party and I needed two new hips over the last two years, and both knees are next. What was never a concern is now my big one, so I get that yours too may change over time.

What is your biggest concern? If you would, please take a minute to answer this two-question survey so we can drill down on what is important to you and our tribe.  I will publish the results and your participation will help guide content for upcoming newsletters and podcasts. So, again, thank you!

Whatever your most pressing concern is action is the key to moving forward and reducing your stress. In short, we need to get out of our heads and into the real world. If you landed on relevance, then consider consulting with your expertise or being a board member/volunteer. If finding new purpose is in your sight line then get really curious and check the ego at the door as you try new things. We should get comfortable being newbies at any stage of our life. I have been a professional speaker for almost four decades but moving into the podcast realm with ‘audio’ only, production aspects, finding and scheduling guests, well, I am back in Ms. Clarke’s grade 1 class in 1971;) Not only is that ok, but it is good for me from a learning and humility check perspective.

Whatever is keeping you up at night, take an action step and watch your anxiety levels drop faster than the stock market these days;)

As always, I truly appreciate your thoughts…