Interesting thread and perspectives. I retired when i was 59. I wanted to retire at 58 but had to work a year more, honoring the request of the Board.
I now 'work'
pro bono with some educational institutions and with the Government, when they want me. I do some light consulting, strictly if it is light and the subject interests me. I occasionally interact with students and very occasionally take some students ( or young people) out with me to some nearby National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries. I get to learn a lot from them, which helps me immensely when my wife and i go our on our travels (a sophisticated word for roaming).
What do i learn? For one thing, trying to cope with the fear of the unknown. As one ages, one becomes increasing set in his comfort zone and abhors moving out of it-thus losing out on most of the fun in life. i can't say that i am as reckless and impulsive now, as i would have been in my early 20's. However, have realised that micro planning can in fact lead to disappointment. On the other hand, one does not have the chutzpah any more of dealing with curve balls every moment and coming out a winner. So i now temper my urges, expectations and fantasies by factoring in my assessment of my capability-based on prior experience. And by factoring in my comforts, which i do not want to compromise now.
On the subject of (early) retirement: One of the issues that we have to grapple with is that we do not seem to ever move out of our physiological and psychological needs, in the truest sense. While food, drink and shelter may be guaranteed ( for want of a better word) for life, we still worry about health and 'importance'. We are worried that if we retire and become a layabout, our family and society may not respect us. I have friends, who while envying the 'freedom' i have; frankly state that they cannot do the same. This syndrome is a baggage most of us carry due to our upbringing, mental roadblocks and societal pressure.
Working for the downtrodden, for society at large, for causes dear to us, is noble and gratifying- as long as one does not get caught up in the 4th stage of Maslow's. There are many 'Gurus' in india today who started out with noble objectives-however, today they are trapped in competition (amongst themselves) and oneupmanship. From trying to get the first citizens attend their discourses and programs, from increasing their 'market share' of followers, from increasing their 'glam content'.
Point being made is that we are old corporate citizens and while you can remove us from the Corporate, you cannot remove the corporate (management behavior) from us. A desire to engage in some charitable work, may soon see us setting up a LLP, deciding on which directors would be most 'suitable', vying with others in similar areas, actively spending more time and energy to increase 'market share' and exposure...you get the scenario.
I am no different- but i am trying.
ps: Not all are the same.
Quote:
Originally Posted by V.Narayan I voluntarily retired recently and switched to a second career that I hope will be more meaningful in the long run ... |
Congratulations. Wish you all the best and am sure you will succeed.