How to Plan the Path for Your End of Career

A Path Amidst Obstacles - 2016

Sierra Nevada, NV 

 When to Create Your Strategy and How to Execute the Tactics

Your future End of Career is an event about which it is natural to experience feelings of excitement as well as some concerns.

As the time nears, your concerns may become more prevalent. A major reason is the recognition that this is an unfamiliar process.

But how do you know when is the right time to start planning, let alone what the end date will be?

As you try to answer that question, it becomes apparent that it is very difficult to determine when to begin to prepare when the necessary scope and duration of preparation is unknown.

The reality is that because this is a such a personal and professional matter, with so many different facets, it is impossible to predict how much work and time it will take. You can only anticipate so much…and there will probably be more to do than you thought necessary. 

The best way to know is to engage the challenge by beginning to plan and prepare. Be flexible so that you can adjust your planning as needed.

The question remains: When to begin?

A Practical Rule of Thumb 

A common feature of your planning and preparation is that it will create a significant, additional workload that is superimposed to your existing responsibilities. This will usually occur at the same time that you may want to take more time off. This is beneficial, as it will allow you to adjust to the experience of having more discretionary time. But can you really do so?

All too often, the experience is being busier than ever. With that, there may be increasing fatigue, frustration, stress, etc. This, at the very time when you thought your experience would be the opposite.

So how do you take control of your life when so much of what you have to do to prepare is unknown? 

You do so by developing a proactive attitude and start your planning earlier that you might think.

A very good indicator that will signal you to start planning, is when you find yourself thinking about your End of Career more often. In my experience, that is often about five years in advance of your possible end date.

Are there other impediments hiding in your plain sight?

On Banishing Procrastination

There are two very different types of reactions to this topic that reflect human nature.

There are those that plan and prosper. There are those that deny and defer. 

The reality is that your End of Career is inevitable. An important question you must ask yourself is: Will I ignite proactively the process to create my vision or will I allow life to simply present me with what it may or may not have to offer?

The good news about this complex process, is that it is within your power to design it according to your needs and desires.

By doing so, you will be able to have control over much of it. There will be times when life's menu will serve you a dish that is unexpected. However, by being prepared you will be ready to adapt accordingly.

How to Plan and Prepare?

The End of Career Transition is a multi dimensional process. A critical element of success is that  you have a clear understanding of how you want to live your life after your End of Career. 

In addition, it is also essential to prepare an analysis that allows you to determine whether or not your lifestyle plan can be supported by your financial assets. 

To achieve an optimal of End of Career experience, you must have a defined process of how and when to accomplish a variety of tasks that culminate in your actual end date.

It is very important to create a systematic, actionable approach to accomplish this.

Your Blueprints Triad

This methodology is comprised of a clearly defined set of three blueprints or plans that comprise a triad. Each of these three plans has a specific purpose and a particular sequence in which they are created and executed to achieve optimal results. They are:

The Post Career Lifestyle Plan _TM  

This is the first step on your journey of renewal and fulfillment, a major goal of a transition.

Your Post Career Lifestyle Plan _TM  serves two major purposes. One is that it provides the framework for how you will live a balanced, ideal life. The second, is to provide the basis for determining whether your new lifestyle can be supported by your financial resources.

The Post Career Financial Plan _TM  

I refer to the next evaluation as your Post Career Financial Plan. This is different from your retirement plan that comprises your financial resources. Its purpose is to determine whether your retirement plan assets will support your lifestyle plan. If it does, it allows you to proceed with confidence. If it does not, you can reevaluate both plans and make adjustments to one or both.

The End of Career Transition Plan _TM  

This is your blueprint that guides you as you undertake the process of ending your career and arriving at your destination: your actual end date. It describes detailed policies and procedures that outline what to do as well as when and how to do them. This includes when you will actually initiate and complete your End of Career Transition.

How Does This Triad of Plans Benefit You? 

The creation of your End of Career triad of plans will be incredibly valuable to you. Whereas without them you may experience stress and preoccupation long before your end date, having your plans will help you design a clear path marked by tranquility and triumph.

An important benefit of that, is that you can move forward on your path confidently, with a smile on your face and a feeling of pride knowing that once again, you have succeeded on your terms.

PS: By the way, do you want to learn more from me about how to create a positive End of Career Transition and a fulfilling life beyond? I would like to help you. I provide consulting and coaching services that are tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for an introductory conversation.

 Elegant Tranquility - 2021

Sierra Nevada, NV