of the world or serving others ? Do you excel at what you do ? And lastly , are you reaping the rewards of your efforts ?
Getting started
There is a basic plan to consider when preparing for the fourth chapter in your life and using Ikigai :
1 . Start with questions
• What am I passionate about ?
• How will this benefit my community / profession / world ?
• How can I do this and be paid for it ?
2 . Map it out
• What would a typical day look like ?
• What do you need to do to get to this ?
• How will you enable these changes ?
3 . How does it feel ?
• Your Ikigai will evolve as you do , so allow for changes .
• Does it feel right ? If not , reconsider and change .
• Repeat these steps over time .
4 . Test it
• Look at what action needs to be taken and what tradeoffs may need to be done to give you the time to prepare ( studying etc .).
• Research the opportunities available to you .
• Ask your friends , family and colleagues for their input .
5 . Support
• Find a mentor or coach to work with you on the transition .
• Talk to others who have made similar changes , what they learnt and would do differently .
Retirement planning
As we transcend the traditional boundaries of retirement , a remarkable shift occurs not only in our approach to life but also in the realm of financial planning . This transformative change necessitates a complete reassessment of retirement planning across its three distinct phases : creation , build-up , and draw-down . The paradigm expands into a two-dimensional strategy , encompassing the crucial task of securing a reliable income while also repurposing the wealth of skills acquired throughout our professional journeys .
Financial planning takes on a different hue in this new chapter of extended or reimagined careers . It requires us to adapt our asset accumulation and income generation strategies to embrace fresh opportunities . As professionals , we may venture into uncharted territories , enhancing existing skills or acquiring new ones . Or , if we choose to remain in our current domain , our vast knowledge becomes a valuable
asset to be shared through coaching , mentorship and skills development . This is where the true essence of Ikigai comes into play – discovering fulfilment and purpose by leveraging our expertise to empower others .
Once confined to financial considerations , retirement planning now merges harmoniously with pursuing Ikigai . It invites us to unlock new possibilities and explore uncharted paths . Our Ikigai is not a rigid , unchanging force but a dynamic , ever-evolving presence in our lives . It embodies the age-old wisdom that when we immerse ourselves in activities we love , forge meaningful connections and find ourselves in a state of effortless “ flow ”, we transcend mere existence , blossoming into the very best versions of ourselves .
Linda Sherlock
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