Purpose-Based Planning

The happiness you experience in retirement spans far beyond money, your dream vacation home or your hobby. It lies within the connections you have with others. Are you prepared?

The happiness you experience in retirement spans far beyond money, your dream vacation home or your hobby. It lies within the connections you have with others. Are you prepared?

You likely hold a variety of things near and dear to your heart, but if you had to choose one focus – one priority – what would it be?

Your attitude toward aging plays a larger role in how well you age than you might realize. As poet Samuel Ullman says, “youth” is a state of mind rather than a mere number of years.

Can the factors that lend to large corporation success also lead you to live a fulfilling life?

You spend decades saving for retirement. Isn’t it worth your time and effort to plan for how you will fill that retirement with your most purposeful, happiest years?

Have you ever abandoned a hobby or interest due to the fear of not excelling immediately? While it can be tempting to do so – especially for perfectionists – it’s important to remember that initial failure is a normal part of acquiring new skills.

How does finding meaning and purpose in life relate to your relationship with money? In Viktor Frankl's book, Man’s Search for Meaning, he reflects on his experience in Nazi death camps, emphasizing that even in the darkest times, moments of happiness and meaning can be found.

When it comes to end-of-year reflections, you are likely to do so in a linear fashion. However, another – albeit unique – strategy is to consider your life thus far as an "infinite ladder," where progress occurs in both inner and outer dimensions.

When you finally achieve a long-awaited dream, whether it's financial independence, retirement or in the author’s case here, reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, you might notice a feeling of "Now what?" sets in after your elation fades.

Your ability to experience fulfillment right now involves practicing intentionality. As entrepreneur and author Derek Sivers states, your future is uncertain and your past is irrelevant. Therefore, focusing on the actions you take now is key to understanding yourself and creating the life you want.

Planning for retirement involves asking the big questions, such as: How do I protect and grow my savings? Or, do I have enough? Beyond this, however, you have other factors to consider, both financial and non-financial.