How to be Productive During Retirement

For some young, harassed, and unhappy professionals, retirement is a much awaited day. But for old employees who are working their dreams, retirement is probably not a welcoming thought. Employees who love their jobs and found passion in their works will find it difficult facing retirement. My father was part of this category. A few months before his retirement day, he was so worried and felt it was the end of his road. According to Dr. Henry M. Hughes, a retired chairman of the guidance department for the Schenectady City School District, people who are nearing retirement must answer the question: "Who am I -- my employment or my self-worth?” For most people, according to Dr. Hughes, “self-worth comes from employment. When they stop working, they begin feeling less about themselves”

His advice to young workers and soon-to-be retirees is to PLAN your retirement. Plan on how you will spend your time as productive as possible and to make sure that you have the money to retire. Retirement can be a lucrative venture, with all the spare time to relax and travel, as they say, "it's Saturdays and Sundays for the rest of your life”.

According to experts, below are some simple ideas that can make you productive after you retire from your job:

• Start your own hobby-based business. When establishing a business, make sure that it is based on your interest. This is a stage in your life when you should work for enjoyment and not for profit. But of course, you should also manage your business professionally since you need income to sustain the operations of your venture.

• Teach. Your years of experience are a valuable input to others. Students can learn more from teachers who had industry experience as compared to teachers who rely solely on books or theories.

• Write a book. If you are not comfortable delivering lectures in front of people, writing can be an alternative medium to share your knowledge. Writing a book can be a fulfilling endeavor. If you have contacts in the publishing sector, try sending them your works. The internet is also a great place to publish your articles and there are plenty of sites that pay lifetime royalties for your articles.

• Be a consultant. Again, you have an invaluable resource: your industry experience. Consultancy venture can be a very good source of income for high-ranking retired employees. Aside from helping companies do their businesses, your working hours are shorter and depending on your contract, you can quit anytime you want.

• Be a babysitter. Your experience raising your own children can be put into good use when babysitting your children’s own children. But be sure to evaluate your health before entering this task. Babysitting can be a back-breaking job.

• Give back. Devote your remaining years of your life helping others. Sharing some of your time, money, and your love to others is the best legacy you can leave this world.