Have you ever talked to someone who was thinking of retiring? Some people act like retirement is like accepting a death sentence. For some people, the work ethic is so strong that the idea of not working is frightening and causes a lot of stress. This article delves into some strategies to help you in coping with retirement transition.
The reason for retirement can be a natural end to a long and gratifying career. It may be premature with the athlete forced out through injury, de-selection or financial reasons. Whatever the reason, there is a transition the athlete needs to go through to adjust to a new way of life. It took me three times to finally retire from the sport.
Being prepared will eliminate a lot of the shock of retiring. A lot of us have had to retire forcefully. Either because we have been put out of work or reached mandatory retirement age and have not been able to find other employment. The premise behind a successful transition after job is to have something to keep you busy.
Self-esteem issues can contribute to the difficulties faced. A sporting career produces many regular rewards and feedback that are not found in everyday non-sporting life. Many of them miss on the everyday commitment, improving on things and the constant reminder creating this positive driving force that they were accustomed to.
Many athletes agree that having a new goal or focus makes the transition easier. Confusion with both the decision to retire and with what to do next impedes the process. The circumstances of the individual determine the response to retirement. Everybody seems to go through a state of confusion and need to accept that as a necessary part of the process. Even those who are prepared still hit a slump. The transition does not happen quickly, and this can come as a shock to athletes, and they may need coaching through the process.
The uncertainty of the future is sometimes compounded by the athlete's apparent lack of relevant qualification and work experience. However, it is important to realize that there are many qualities and skills gained from being involved in sport at a high professional level. These need to be recognized and then 'sold' to a potential employer.
Make a plan to travel (even if it is only locally) and spend more time with family and friends or doing whatever you want. You can enjoy getting to know your grandchildren better and maybe being a kid with them for an afternoon as well. The idea is to get out of the house and start doing something. If you are looking for work, set aside some time to plan for your life after retiring.
Support is essential in moving forward. This support may come from family and friends, or it may come from professional help -counseling, career guidance or even a coach. Athletes are used to having coaches in their sport so why not continue to have a coach in life to help keep them on track, motivated and working towards new goals.
The reason for retirement can be a natural end to a long and gratifying career. It may be premature with the athlete forced out through injury, de-selection or financial reasons. Whatever the reason, there is a transition the athlete needs to go through to adjust to a new way of life. It took me three times to finally retire from the sport.
Being prepared will eliminate a lot of the shock of retiring. A lot of us have had to retire forcefully. Either because we have been put out of work or reached mandatory retirement age and have not been able to find other employment. The premise behind a successful transition after job is to have something to keep you busy.
Self-esteem issues can contribute to the difficulties faced. A sporting career produces many regular rewards and feedback that are not found in everyday non-sporting life. Many of them miss on the everyday commitment, improving on things and the constant reminder creating this positive driving force that they were accustomed to.
Many athletes agree that having a new goal or focus makes the transition easier. Confusion with both the decision to retire and with what to do next impedes the process. The circumstances of the individual determine the response to retirement. Everybody seems to go through a state of confusion and need to accept that as a necessary part of the process. Even those who are prepared still hit a slump. The transition does not happen quickly, and this can come as a shock to athletes, and they may need coaching through the process.
The uncertainty of the future is sometimes compounded by the athlete's apparent lack of relevant qualification and work experience. However, it is important to realize that there are many qualities and skills gained from being involved in sport at a high professional level. These need to be recognized and then 'sold' to a potential employer.
Make a plan to travel (even if it is only locally) and spend more time with family and friends or doing whatever you want. You can enjoy getting to know your grandchildren better and maybe being a kid with them for an afternoon as well. The idea is to get out of the house and start doing something. If you are looking for work, set aside some time to plan for your life after retiring.
Support is essential in moving forward. This support may come from family and friends, or it may come from professional help -counseling, career guidance or even a coach. Athletes are used to having coaches in their sport so why not continue to have a coach in life to help keep them on track, motivated and working towards new goals.
About the Author:
Get great advice for coping with retirement transition anxiety and more information about the Reflect on Retirement blog at http://www.reflectonretirement.com/category/at-retirement today.
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