I Want To Get The "H - - -" Out Of Here!

This is the person who crosses the last days before retirement off his calendar, with each red x getting bolder, brighter, bigger! All this person wants is to get the "H" out of there. Dissatisfied, frustrated, bored, or simply tired of the routine, he or she can think about nothing else than how many days are left. Suddenly, that day arrives. It's like Jack Nicholson in the opening scene of "About Schmidt," he is sitting there with the boxes packed watching the clock until it hits 5 p.m. In a flash he's out the door before anyone can say good luck. The problem? Retirement in this case means running away from something: the job, boss, office, or all of the above. Unfortunately, without a plan, there is suddenly a large void. Often this person feels frustrated sitting home trying to figure out how to restructure his life.

It is important to have a reason to retire, and something to retire to. In some cases, a sabbatical, or some downtime, is all that's needed. In other situations it wasn't retirement at all, but a change of scenery, or a different job, that would have provided a better choice. It may not be the job at all, but other things that make someone decide upon retirement as a life choice. It may not be the best plan of action if approached for the wrong reasons.

Unfortunately, too often we make decisions based on our emotions, without a lot of practical planning. It is, therefore, important to take the time to clearly understand why you want to retire, and what it is that you want to retire to. Running away, or simply getting out of a job you don't like, are insufficient reasons to retire.

Some people who "hate" their jobs actually find they miss it once they retire. They simply didn't realize there were things they enjoyed, such as camaraderie, dealing with favorite clients and customers, or even the shared pleasure in hating the boss.