Retirement is overrated.
Imagine this…
You’re laying on the beach somewhere.
It’s a Tuesday afternoon.
Good book in hand.
No worries about your job, money, or schedule.
You’ve worked hard to get to this point.
Life is good.
You’ve worked to the point of financial freedom. Maybe you’ve retired.
But still, something’s missing.
You thought this was exactly what you wanted in life.
No schedule, no routine, no stress.
You made it – but it doesn’t feel right.
Sure, the freedom is nice.
I can hang by the beach today, tomorrow, and the next day.
You ask yourself, “What day of the week is it again?”
You have nowhere to be, and no meetings to fulfill.
But… at what point is this fulfilling?
I don’t believe this lifestyle is what some make it out to be.
Sure, it sounds great when you’re working a stressful job that you want to escape from.
That’s the whole point of vacation after all.
But after the novelty is past and you wake up to another day without a plan – eventually you feel lost.
Work Provides Meaning
As humans, we’re wired to work.
In the Bible, God gave Adam the job of working the garden before the fall.
It was a good and purposeful thing in God’s eyes.
“Work” didn’t come after Adam & Eve ate the forbidden fruit, but before.
“Work” existed even in perfect paradise.
I believe there’s good reason for this.
Another day of sipping cold beverages on the beach sounds great in reality, but eventually it’s going to get old.
We need to be seeking something meaningful for purpose in life.
Enjoying yourself by the beach isn’t filling all your needs and desires.
It’s simply a way to find some peace outside of the crazy world we often find ourselves in.
But it’s not going to solve all your problems – nor the world’s problems.
This is why we need to “get to work.”
A Purposeful Life Project
Before your mind jumps to the return of the dreaded 9-5 job, let me explain.
Employment is different than work.
Employment is the act of fulfilling the duties or assignments of someone else.
That’s something we all need a vacation to the beach to escape from.
But “work” in the sense of a purposeful life project, is entirely different.
This is the kind of work that I’m talking about.
This is the kind of work that we all crave.
No amount of days by the beach will scratch this itch of fulfillment.
Without purposeful work, we’re left feeling empty in some sense.
So, how do you develop a life’s project that brings a sense of joy, purpose, and fulfillment?
Well, that’s a good question.
The exact path is different for each person.
But from my experience, it’s found at the intersection of your
- interests
- experience
- vision
Where these three things meet – you can find the “flow state” that fills your cup.
To explain further:
- Interests = your hobbies, passions, and things that light your fire.
- Experience = the technical skill that you have, the things you’ve gone through in life, or your life’s story.
- Vision = something bigger than yourself. If you could change the world in some way, what would that be?
If you’re able to find a way to combine these three things, you check each of the boxes.
You continue learning and exploring your interests.
You use your previous experience and story to connect with others who are similar.
And you’re working towards something that serves others and impacts the world in a positive way.
I can tell you from experience – THIS is infinitely more enjoyable than living a life with no direction.
Eventually that lifestyle will get old.
But seeking your “life’s project” as a way to sustain your sanity makes life meaningful.
It continues to provide new challenges and achievements that keep you moving forward.
It’s Possible Through a Personal Brand
This is all possible through a personal brand.
It doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 65.
You have interests.
You have a story.
And you have a vision.
…It might need a little dusting off, but I’m confident it’s still there – waiting to be uncovered.
And through a personal brand, you’re able to combine these things to share your story and impact others.
Chillin’ in the sun at the beach all day is nice for a week.
Working as an employee for a job you “don’t hate” is fine for a few years.
But working to serve others never gets old.
This is my retirement plan – how about you?
–Eric Pfohl