UXL Blog

Retirement can seem like an end, or the closing of a chapter. Since we naturally mourn endings, this might seem like a sad or confusing time for some people, especially those who have spent most of their lives in the rhythm of work. And those who tend to link their identity to their career (I wrote about this last month; click HERE for more).

But we do not necessarily need to think of retirement as an end. Instead, it could be a continuation—a continuation of all the skills, lessons, habits, and talents we have acquired during our careers.

Don’t Toss Your Skills Away

When you retire, there’s no need to throw away all the wisdom and practical skills you accumulated as a professional. In fact, I see that as both a disservice to yourself and others. You’ve spent hours building your skillset, acquiring expertise, and learning lessons of all types, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.

Instead, I challenge you to take an inventory of your competencies and start thinking about how they can be applied to a post-retirement life. This doesn’t mean you have to go back to work, but it could mean leading a committee, spearheading a volunteer initiative, or applying your creativity to a community project. Or it could simply mean helping your children or grandchildren by applying your background experience to their lives (admin and/or planning skills, artistic ability, communication prowess, etc.).

Alternatively, you could use your talents to plan leisure activities or getaways. Are you hoping to read more? Consider planning a book club (this could entail using communication, coordination, and planning skills). Looking to take a cross-country road trip? Put your logistics planning expertise to the test. Hoping to live abroad for part of the year? Use your love of lifelong learning to begin practicing a new language.

Reflecting on Skills

When thinking about the skills, do not discount anything as too small or seemingly insignificant. Start listing the abilities that come to mind. For example, you might excel at any of the following:

• Leading a team
• Engaging in tough conversations
• Listening
• Planning/coordination
• Clear communication
• Creativity (creative thinking, writing, and/or design)
• Cheerleading or drumming up excitement/support
• Analytics

Keep your list handy and add to it whenever you think of an additional skill. You might also ask your friends or family members what abilities or talents come to mind when they think of you.

Once you have your list, you can determine how these skills could apply to your retirement passions and/or projects. Are you hoping to volunteer at your grandchildren’s elementary school? You might use your artistic creativity to help with school plays, classroom art, etc. Would you like to volunteer in the community? You might lean on your communication abilities and leadership experience to spearhead an initiative.

In short: You’ve earned these skills, and they don’t have to fade away when you retire. Thinking of ways to employ them will help keep you sharp while simultaneously serving those around you. Your experience was hard-won, so why not carry it into this new chapter?

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

Tags: apply skills to retirement, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith life coach, retirement skills, retirement transitions, use abilities in retirement