Remember When You Retired from High School?

By Steve Wilson

Thoreau summarized the common human experience when he said, “Going from–toward; it is the history of every one of us.” In other words, life is lived as a continuous transition (one thing after another). At any moment in time, we are either coming from something or going to something.

As you review your life’s history, it’s clear you’ve transitioned many times. Some were meticulously planned; others were spontaneous. Some were joyful; others were painful. And many transitions happened while you scarcely noticed, thanks to skills acquired from your previous transition experiences.

I have found the advice given by two of my favorite people very helpful. Albert Einstein said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving forward.” And Winston Churchill said, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.”

However successful your history, there is one transition that causes some hesitation (if not a complete stop). It’s the transition called retirement. Wait! Don’t faint! Retirement is just another transition. Compare and contrast it with other major life transitions. When you do, you’ll see it’s not to be feared. Here is why: when you begin retirement, you have a lifetime of experiences, contacts, and resources; you also have a lot of transitioning practice.

One reason retirement is so intimidating is that we have decades to think about it, bringing intense pressure to get it right because no one wants to get it wrong. When compared with other transitions in your life, you may actually be surprised that retirement may not make your top five list. Seriously, you’ve gone “from–toward” with fewer tools and with far less advanced preparation.

For example, remember when you retired from high school? Your “education” career, not unlike your “employed” career, involved an extended time period (twelve to twenty years or more). Both had highs and lows, thrills and spills. You developed close relationships on the job (think playground and study groups; then later, personnel committee) and after work (think going out for pizza and Friday night ball games; then later, finalizing the operating budget).

On your first day of kindergarten, you had only a vague idea about where your “education” career path would lead. You knew it wouldn’t last forever, although there were days when it felt like it would. Nevertheless, you knew it would end. The end became clearer about tenth grade, but there were still too many tests to take and papers to turn in for you to give it serious attention or consideration.

Skip ahead two years. Remember the big party with all your classmates, the boring speakers, the long robe and funny hat—not to mention the tassel? (I remember staring at the program with no idea what the word “commencement” meant or how it applied to me.) Well, whether you were ready or not, you were a graduate!

Even though you had plenty of time to get ready, graduation (retirement) still caught you by surprise. Your world changed overnight. You lost much of your identity, your daily routine, and your life’s structure (I bet you didn’t set an alarm clock the rest of the summer). When summer ended, your friends scattered, some never to be heard from or seen again. You may have felt lost, alone, or even a little depressed—all feelings of those new to a retirement experience.

After you “retired” from high school, you didn’t think graduation was your life’s capstone achievement. You didn’t call life good and stop. Instead, you kept your balance and moved forward. The options were many and yours to decide: continue your education (what to study and where) or enter the workforce (what to do and with whom).

In time, you were hired for your first “real” job, and because you were conscientious, opportunities followed. Before you knew it, you were on a career “path.” Promotions came with increased responsibility. Perhaps there was even a move across the country. As opportunities arrived, you may have hesitated and wondered if you were capable or ready to meet the challenge presented, but you kept moving, keeping your balance while juggling other transitions which seemed to occur simultaneously. Remember retiring from living the single life? How about retiring from being a renter to being a homeowner or retiring carefree evenings and weekends to become a parent?

If you’re preparing for or already transitioning to retirement, I’d suggest you’re better prepared for this transition than for the transitions described above. Why?

1. Experience. You’ve made countless pivots and adjustments when things didn’t go as planned. Take credit, give yourself a pat on the back, and gain confidence from your history of transitional success.

2. Network. Your network of professional and personal contacts has grown significantly since high school. These are people you’ve come to know and trust who have a wide range of skills available for you to draw upon when needed.

3. Passion. When leaving high school, few had clear ideas about their future direction much less what they were passionate about. This comes with life experience. Most begin employment because they’re hungry and are offered a job. Knowledge about alternatives is limited.

4. Choice. In retirement, your life is no longer driven by employer demands. You’re free to explore your future and its direction on your own.

Now the fun part: Seek to combine your experience, network of contacts, and passion in whatever combination you choose. There is no right way to retire; there’s only your way. My advice is to remember that retirement is a gift. Don’t be selfish, and don’t forget to spend some of your time and effort helping to make the world a better place.

About the Author

Steve is the former CEO of St. George Regional Medical Center, St. George, Utah. He authored next—Redefining Retirement; Lessons for Life’s Transitions with Lisa G. Larson and speaks frequently to those preparing to leave their careers. He serves on the Board of the Institute for Continued Learning. His post career “hobby” is real estate investing, and he is Associate Broker for Utah First Property Management, a company his son Bryan founded. To contact Steve go to wilson.stg@gmail.com.

Steve Wilson