Not Your Curtain Call — Your Costume Change

5 Outdated Takes on Today’s Retirement: A lot can happen from the beginning to the end of a single theatrical production. You might watch the rise and fall of the Ancient Roman Empire or follow the entire spectrum of a person’s life from birth to death. So how does the backstage crew convince you that time is passing and people are changing?

Set changes and costume changes.

Every now and then, the lights go down, or the curtains are drawn together. Crew members dart back and forth across the stage, moving this and adjusting that. Cast members hurriedly change their outfit, alter their hair, or simply freshen up their appearance for the next scene. These moments are essential to every performance, and they typically occur several times before the final curtain. In fact, Des Coghlan-Forbes set a new world record just last year with 37 costume changes for each of his performances of “Our Town.”

These shifts in reality don’t signal an ending. The curtains might close. The lights might dim. But you would be missing some of the best parts of theatre — not to mention almost every climax — if you simply got up and walked out at the very first pause.

The new truth about retirement 

The same is true of how traditional “retirement” is evolving in the 21st century. Retirement was never a true curtain call, but it’s becoming even less so with all the opportunities and vitality to be found in life after work. Such an evolution is exposing society’s most outdated takes on today’s retirement, and some people are flourishing with a new sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.

But how — and why? Which myths about retirement have been revealed? What’s the actual truth behind them? After two decades of partnering with professionals on their post-work transitions, these are the five long-held assumptions about retirement that I feel have been officially resigned to the past.

1. It’s all about finances.
   Believe it or not, the majority of people are financially “ready” for retirement. In fact, over three-fourths of married individuals and over half of single individuals in the United States are fiscally prepared for life after work. So why is anxiety about retirement still so pervasive? Because it isn’t just about money. Even with finances in hand, many people flounder because they never thought about WHO they would be once they retired. Unfortunately, 35 years of saving money or mastering a skill set doesn’t teach you how to think about the later stages of your life.

   What’s the truth? A successful retirement is just as much about mental and emotional preparation as it is about financial livelihood. Retirement can have a very real impact on mental health, and the nature of that impact depends a lot on how you approach your new reality.

2. It’s all about leisure.
   Let’s be clear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with playing shuffleboard or teeing up for your fifth round of golf for the week. Some days or weeks, that might be just what the doctor ordered. That said, a successful and inspiring retirement is rarely all about leisure. Full-time leisure often leads to stagnation instead of satisfaction. That’s not surprising, considering a sense of purpose is routinely linked to better mental and physical health outcomes for humans in general. After all, our natural craving for purpose doesn’t disappear simply because we’ve made the decision to stop “working.”

   What’s the truth? Retirement is a time of endless possibility. The most vibrant professionals don’t look at retirement as something limiting their potential and productivity — quite the contrary. These professionals redefine retirement as a graduation into a world of purpose designed solely by them.

3. It’s an end to “productivity.”
   Traditionally, retirement has been seen as a finish line. Once you cross that finish line, the race is over, the prizes are awarded, and then…. well, nothing? For industrialized nations, retirement is when your wheels stop turning because it’s time to rest.

   On the other hand, we have Judi Dench, who made her acting debut in 1957. By the 1990s, she had enjoyed great success with the Royal Shakespeare Company, acting alongside Ian McKellan and Kenneth Branagh. What’s more, she had become a fixture of some of the most notable BBC dramas. Essentially, she had already tied a ribbon onto a successful career. Then, at the age of 61, she was cast as James Bond’s boss, and her career reinvented and reinvigorated itself entirely.

   What’s the truth? Productivity doesn’t end with retirement. Instead, it simply evolves into something new. Maybe it’s a new role in your current industry. Maybe it’s work that is connected to a social mission you feel is deserving of your time and attention. Regardless, this transition is equal parts ending and beginning.

4. It depends on “staying busy.”
   Another outdated perspective on retirement demands that you “stay busy” to be happy and fulfilled. Productivity might not end after work, but that doesn’t mean you need to say yes to everything that comes along. Your time is no less valuable once you exit your initial career. In fact, it’s arguably even more valuable as you look at the years you have remaining after retirement. What do you hope to accomplish? Does saying yes to the request at hand bring you any closer to realizing your goals?

   What’s the truth? Overcommitment is the enemy of clarity, especially for those just now finding their footing in a new professional reality. Retirees should be strategic with how they spend their time, always opting for quality over quantity.

5. It’s something you figure out after you stop working. 
   As mentioned previously, people are pretty decent at financially planning for their retirement. What they fail to plan for is the identity and self-control required once they leave their jobs. Many of us kick that can down the road, assuming we will simply figure it out once we stop working. Unfortunately, this delay tactic rarely ends well. In the absence of structure, it’s not uncommon for some to bounce around cluelessly, feeling lost or unproductive. That’s why the most successful retirees are often those who transition into their new life with a clear vision of where they want to go and what they want to do.

What’s the truth? Today’s professionals need to plan for their retirement with the same care and attention they give to their resume and LinkedIn credentials. Brainstorm about what you want. Journal about the future. Start painting a detailed picture of your life after work.

Cancel the Curtain Call 

The audience is applauding. The curtain is swinging closed. But, this isn’t the end of the performance.

This is when you put on a different outfit to start a new scene. This is when you redefine your life in a way that motivates you outside of your typical workplace structure. This isn’t a curtain call — it’s a costume change. Just be sure to know your lines, and be prepared to confidently make the transition.

Written by Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons.
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