Hiking and Preparing allows a better understanding in achieving goals.

Last Week, my 16-year old son, David and I went for a long hike to prepare for our next Boy Scout camping trip. During the weekend of December 14th, we will be hiking for about 25 miles at Myakka River State Park. This trip will be a gear shake down for the 14 other boys joining us as they learn how to filter water, prepare trail food and carry all their supplies on their backs. In the past, my son would groan in the morning as I woke him for our early morning hikes, he would say, ‘it is too early, let me sleep.’ Now as we prepare for our long weekend hike, he does not complain. His turnaround of attitude reminds me of the change I see when clients finally adapt to their own retirement.

At our next Dine & Discover on December 4th, I will present for clients and their friends “What is on your bucket list part III: How to change the meaning of your life using your bucket list”. The number one concern that most retirees have is fear. This fear can be in several forms. The most common is fear of not being alive long enough to enjoy their own retirement. This fear can also be on the other side, fear of being alive too long and having health issues stopping them from enjoying their retirement. The good news is that we will work on these concerns on the 4th. 

A question that I would like to focus on is: What is stopping you from being able to have a great retirement?
Now pause and answer the question. I find the answer is yours, your own personal answer. Now if the answer is fear based, how do you overcome fear? The simplest and most direct way is a lesson from my younger son David. His answer falls in the four categories that he displayed on preparing for our long weekend hike. 

Commitment.
After several unsuccessful mornings; where we did not wake up early enough to hike, we sat down and discussed our goals and purpose. He agreed that the practice would be good for us and that it would allow us to improve on the longer hikes. This reminds me of the determination that retirees face when they decide to do something different. The commitment is a personal one to try and to do something new on your bucket list.

Courage.
Hiking in the early morning with a 30-pound backpack is hard. It is easy to give up and do something seemingly more beneficial like sleeping. It is painful sometimes to push yourself. There is the fear of injury, fear of not being able to make it, fear of the unknown. This step requires courage to overcome. This is true grit. You need to find it within yourself to push through or a peer to help you along the way. Nothing good is easy. We will talk more about this on December 4th, for those unable to attend ask yourself: What have you done successfully in the past that was a challenge to accomplish?

Capability.
As David and I continue to exercise it becomes easier and easier to hike. The miles tend to be more pleasant. In retirement, as you stretch yourself you start to become more able to achieve your goals. As you fail, you will gain experience, as you gain experience you also gain wisdom.

Confidence.
David enjoys our hikes. It is a great time to be awake. We have hiked before (back in 2018) over a hundred miles in 10 days in South Utah and New Mexico. These memories of past successes allow us to continue training for our next challenge. In retirement, our mindset controls our ability to achieve a bucket list item.

Continued Growth.
Most people stop once they reach a goal. In retirement, once you successfully accomplish one of your bucket list items, it is time to start planning the next achievement.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you soon.

Remember….Plan Today. Protect Tomorrow
Peter