Ron Tustin – A Key to Happiness in Retirement

The studies that have been done into what may bring lasting happiness point to another critical factor we need.

“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” Albert Camus.

When we dream about what a happy retirement may be, we tend to focus on having good health, enough money to live comfortably on and enjoying ourselves. But the studies that have been done into what may bring lasting happiness point to another critical factor we need – engagement.

Some of the characteristics of being engaged are:

  • Having high levels of concentration and focus
  • Feeling invigorated afterwards
  • Losing track of time
  • Using your strengths

When we are planning for engagement we need to know what our skills and strengths are. Deep down we know what our own strengths are, but often we are so familiar with them or so close to them that we often forget them. We may remember when we were younger we could do some things easily and without much effort while other people around us struggled to do the same things. And we didn’t need to focus on it as it was so effortless.

We probably have other strengths that we have never been aware of, even when we were young. They are so much a part of us that they have been in the background for a long time. At this particular time in our lives when we may have more time it is the greatest opportunity to develop these strengths to their full potential.

So you may be asking how do I find out what my own strengths are?

There are some well –researched questionnaires to help you with this. If you would like to do one of these questionnaires please email me and I will give you the details of how you can do this online.

Once you have more information about your own retirement strengths be sure you use your top 4-5 strengths in new and different ways regularly. I can also provide some worksheets on this or you can find your own ways of practicing them.

The key to being engaged is finding the right balance between your strengths and the challenge. If the challenge is too far below your level of skill you will be bored. And if the challenge is too far above your level of skill it will create anxiety. In either case, it is difficult to feel engaged.

Until next time!

Ron

Ron Tustin

Motivating baby boomers to see the world with fresh eyes.

“Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations.” Edward de Bono.