A new beginning

Business companies usually get me to speak to those who are leaving the firm.

These are the people who have availed of their early retirement packages or are the faithful soldiers who have actually reached their mandatory retirement age.

My friends from the HR would request me to give a money-management talk. That I do, and I usually include a philosophical and inspirational piece of life advice as to how they are to handle this new phase of their lives.

I remember this one participant who, after hearing me speak, approached me and confessed that before the talk, her mind was all set on spending her retirement money on an expensive Swiss watch she has been eyeing for a while now.

She said she changed her mind and decided to keep the money, save and invest it and perhaps have it available to be used as capital for a business she may consider venturing into one day.

I was greatly encouraged with her admission, but then something clicked in my mind. I said, “Can I ask some questions and try to process this experience?”

She graciously agreed. I asked, “Why did you plan to buy such an expensive watch? Why was this on top of your mind knowing that your career with this company has formally ended and logic would have dictated that you should keep the money, but you almost spent a great chunk of it?”

She thought for a moment and said, “Maybe it’s because I wanted to reward myself?”

I shook my head and said, “No, it doesn’t make sense. Retirement is not a victory party.

Perhaps the inner reason is because you feel depressed and buying something would help alleviate that feeling of loneliness?”

She became quiet, and holding back the tears, she said, “That is so true. I am depressed and I am sad and I thought buying the watch that I want will put a stop to this miserable feeling of mine.”

Money cannot buy happiness.

Most careers do not end the way we plan it. Our original plans of upward mobility will have multiple humps and bumps along the way. At times we encounter this big hump that gets our entire career stalled. That is okay. Learn from the experience and move on.

Every time something ends, it’s time to reinvent ourselves. Every time there is an ending, a door is now open for a new beginning.

So what now if you are retiring? Good. It’s a conclusion to a phase of your life that leads to a new start. It’s like having a new slate. The old one cannot be wiped out.

Do not be idle and be stuck in one place and then get into a pity party. After the party you may find yourself alone, and that would be a problem. Find yourself something productive to do. Make yourself useful.

You may always have wanted to teach a few classes.

You may always have wanted to take up a hobby, but you did not have the time for it when you were still working. And now you do.

Maybe you can now do civic work or be a volunteer and help out at the church.

Keep on learning and keep on living.

Winners may retire from work, but not from life. They just re-fire and leave a lasting legacy for the next generations to come.

Every life matters, especially to those who have retired.

(Send your high potential leaders and experience two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills in his widely acclaimed Level Up Leadership this Oct. 27-28 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire at 09178985010 or call 632-6310912 or 6310660 for details.)