 | Dr. Alan Campbell is a consultant at Legasus Group, LC. Legasus Group is a family business consulting firm offering services designed to enhance clients' growth, success and profitability. Legasus Group has a staff of trained professionals - specialists in management, family-owned businesses, strategic planning, profit enhancement, finance, international business and executive development that work closely with family-owned and privately-held businesses. You may contact Dr. Campbell at (316) 681-0444 or by e-mail at acampbell@LegasusGroup.com |
Retirement
2003-01-01 12:01:00
Retirement & 2nd thoughts
Dr. Alan Campbell
Question: I'm scared to death. I've just announced my retirement-although I've been planning it for two years. Everything's set - that is, everything but me! All of a sudden I don't know what I'm going to do. My business was my whole identity. I know this is nothing new- but I need some help!
ANSWER: First of all, let me assure you that it is very common to have concerns about retirement. What's new is the fact that it is happening to you - which is why you are feeling uncomfortable about the transition.I suggest you take the word "retirement" and replace it with new and improved wording - "option to work". You are moving into an advantageous time. You have the choice of continuing to work in the business that is obviously important to you or you have the option of spending your time in the pursuit of other life goals and activities. This is not an either/or situation. You can work less in your business and slowly transition away from it or you can walk out on your final day at the office and never return. However, with what little I know of your situation, I would say that you are going to have great difficulty just walking away from this business that you call your identity. In order to move on to something else, you will need to develop a plan that allows you to work toward your next set of goals and accomplishments. Unless the most significant activity you want to accomplish is watching daytime TV, I would suggest you sit down and map out the next few months in terms of what you want to get accomplished. Think through what this next phase of your life will be. In many ways, you are in a truly exciting and enviable position. You have the opportunity (the time) to recreate yourself if you choose. Do not walk away from your identity until you have a good plan for this next phase of your life. And by the way, enjoy!
