For More Insight
As you enjoy your MaxAMAZING™ Your Retirement weekly calendar, we hope you smile, reflect, and think a little more about what you want your retirement to be. Each week has a picture, quote, and question to help on your journey. To help you dig a little deeper, there is a brief reflection provided for each week. It also points you to the appropriate chapter or portion of the MaxAMAZING™ Your Retirement book to go even deeper. If you don’t have the book yet, click here to get your FREE COPY!
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(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
An essential aspect of retirement is to create a lifestyle with a comfortable pace and rhythm of activities that are enjoyable and fulfilling—and also gives us something to look forward to. It is these three pieces 1) extraordinary experiences, 2) accomplishments, and 3) impact we make on the people around us, that make life even better. Dream about what your life could look like. What would make it even more AMAZING? (Read Chapter 12, Life Goals Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
We may find ourselves in uncertain and contentious situations or in frightening environments that we are powerless to change. In times of seemingly unbearable circumstances, our only sense of hope may be in a source of strength outside of ourselves that allows us to experience peace. Consider what is your source of peace that can transcend circumstances you may feel helpless in, now or in the future.
(See Figure 11 in Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Life purpose is the reason we’re on this earth and what motivates us to get up every day and get busy. A meaningful life purpose stems from our beliefs, values, and character and is tied to our identity. Think about who you are and the great meaning your life can have, which will encourage you to make a difference in the lives of those you love and the causes that are important to you.
(Read Chapter 9, Life Purpose, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
The concept of “Realizement” recognizes that by eliminating work requirements and family responsibilities in retirement we have unlimited discretionary time throughout the day to do as we like. At the same time, the passing of each day leaves us one less day to live. Be intentional about how you live the individual remaining days of the rest of your life, making sure each one is both enjoyable and fulfilling.
(Read Chapter 3, Re-envisioning Your Retirement, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Lifestyle refers to activities we choose to experience life at a pace and rhythm that suits us. Our financial situation can impact the standard of living of our lifestyle, but what we really desire is a high quality of life, which is largely independent of financial resources. Consider how you can improve your quality of life simply by having a perspective of being thankful and joyful.
(Read Endnote 2 in Chapter 13, Bringing Your Money to Life, in MaxAMAZING™ Your Retirement.)
Love is how we communicate our deep emotional connectedness with those we value and fully accept. It is by offering and accepting love from one another that we express our mutual care and concern. To make sure you don’t take the love you experience for granted and as a result appreciate it less, take deliberate actions to maintain the marvel of love you share with the very special people in your life.
(Read Endnote 6 in Chapter 10, Love, in MaxAMAZING™ Your Retirement.)
When we retire, we have more flexibility to volunteer. Volunteering provides us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, which can be both enjoyable and fulfilling. Think about the various skills you have that you would be passionate about using to make a difference in lives of others you care about and causes you are interested in…and in the process experience a greater life purpose while building your character.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Peace Partners are the special people in our lives that provide us comfort in upsetting situations when we need it most. Just speaking to them and knowing they are concerned for us can provide us relief. Consider who you can turn to when you need to experience a sense of wellbeing and to whom you can offer peace at this very moment when they really need it.
(Read Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
An External Leading is an intuition or “calling” we sense is a plan or purpose for our life, that compels us. It could be but is not necessarily tied to our spirituality and how we live out our faith that we may periodically or frequently become conscious of. If you are retired (or plan to retire soon) and whether your work was fulfilling or not, discover and live out what you feel is a meaningful life purpose tied to who are you for your life to be truly fulfilling.
(Read Chapter 9, Life Purpose, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
A traditional view of retirement is when our age and financial position allows us to stop working and enjoy life. A “Realizement” perspective provides a deeper understanding of this capstone stage in our life journey when we have unlimited discretionary life to enjoy life, and pursue our life goals, hopes, and dreams, while becoming who we want. Consider how your life would look if it were to be more enjoyable and fulfilling, regardless of how enjoyable and fulfilling it may be now.
(Read Chapter 3, Re-envisioning Your Retirement, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Making an impact has the potential to offer us the greatest fulfillment we can experience in our lives. What we choose to commit ourselves to is tied to our Identity from which a meaningful Life Purpose stems from and it connects us with our need for Love and Peace. When these four Core Soul Needs are met, we are living life to the fullest. Ponder what impact you would be excited to make with your time and financial resources that would make a difference in the lives of those you love while promoting what you strongly value.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
As we go through life we accumulate many possessions, relationships, ideas, habits, and views about the world. Not all these are helpful for living a healthy, happy and productive life…even though we may have some emotional attachment to them. Think about the things you have gathered in your life that do not suit who you are and want to be, and remove them so they no longer hinder you from living the life you want.
(Read Endnote 12 in Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
“Meaning” reflects how deeply we feel connected to an experience or individual. The more closely something is tied to our values and beliefs—what is really important to us—the more meaning it has. When you think about how meaningful you want your life to be, consider what you value most, and be intentional about spending your time doing what is more meaningful to you with the most meaningful people in your life.
(Read Chapter 4, A Framework for Realizement, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Beliefs and values are foundational to who we are and guide our life choices. If how we live is inconsistent with our beliefs and values, we are not being true to ourselves. Examine if how you are living your life and the many decisions you make mirror what you truly believe and value, and if not, make the changes that are necessary for you to live like the person you want to be.
(Read Chapter 7, Identity Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
People who are spiritually minded view life as more than the material world in the here and now. When we have a spiritual perspective, we seek deeper, more meaningful connection with the beauty that surrounds us and appreciate the individuals we know and meet as an opportunity to extend our love. Challenge yourself to de-emphasize your possessions and place greater importance on what really matters to you and offers the richness of life you truly value.
(Read Chapter 7, Identify Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Wonderful experiences and vital relationships go together. When we share wonderful experiences with those we love, we enjoy not just the experience, but also the enjoyment of others. Establish dreams for your life that include whomever you would like to be a part of them, then take the necessary actions to realize them so you can treasure them for the rest of your life.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Most pre-retirees focus on their financial preparation for retirement much more than they do on their emotional and life preparation. Certainly, financial preparation is important, but finances must be aligned with whatever is most important in our lives to experience AMAZING fulfillment. Whether we are retired or are preparing for retirement, consider what you want your retirement to look like and how you need to structure your life and prepare yourself emotionally for this next stage in your life journey.
(Read Chapter 4, A Framework for Realizement , in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Limitations are not roadblocks, but just alternate routes to living a fabulous life. Limitations come in many varieties, but by working around them and identifying other options for living the wonderful life we want, we can experience great enjoyment and fulfillment. Maintain a spirit of joy and thankfulness even in unfavorable circumstances and it will promote a high quality of life despite the limitations and challenges you will experience periodically.
(Read Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Our families offer us the most natural relationships through which we exchange love and experience the essence of a meaningful life. Families certainly have challenges that can cause hardship and heartache, but the underlying love allows us to persevere. Even though you have probably already done much for your family, consider how you can express love for your family in an “over the top” way and how fulfilling that would be to you.
(Read Chapter 10, Love, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
To feel fulfilled at our deepest Core Soul Need level, we must experience a meaningful identity, life purpose, peace and love, all of which are interrelated. A meaningful identity is lived out through a meaningful life purpose which makes our identity even more meaningful. Love promotes peace which, in turn, increases our capacity to love. If you feel unfulfilled, consider which of your Core Soul Needs are not being met and what changes you should make to experience what you are looking for.
(Read Chapter 6, Core Soul Needs, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
The Serenity Prayer asks God to help us accept things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Accepting things we cannot change may require Transcending Peace that allows us to experience a sense of wellbeing in all situations and environments though a power that is greater than our circumstances. If you need serenity in your life, consider asking God for the peace you need.
(Read Endnote 9 in Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
A fiduciary is someone who places the needs of the one they are serving above their own interests. In personal and business dealings there can be conflicting goals where what is best for someone else is not what is best for us, and we have to choose between promoting our own self-interest or giving preference to others. There may be circumstances such as having a personal relationship with the other individual, or situations when yielding is not much of a detriment to us or we may feel yielding to the other person is the right thing to do, but short of a fiduciary obligation we are free to put ourselves first. Be certain that you are not guilty of “misplaced loyalty” by being more concerned about the interests of others to whom you do not have a duty of care, rather than your own well-being.
(Read Endnote 6 in Chapter 15, It Was Nice to Spend Some Time Together, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Who we are is comprised of many “Identity Components” which are meaningful to us, but only one—our Chief Identity—is the most important. Reflecting on what captures our heart, who we aspire to be, and what we spend most of our time doing will help us determine what our Chief Identify is. If you want to change what is the most important part of who you are, live as if who you want to become is already the most important part of who you are, and in time it will become your new Chief Identity.
(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Family is one of the most important parts of our identity and is immeasurably more valuable than all our worldly possessions. For many of us, family is the essence of life and makes enduring difficulties worthwhile, or at least more bearable. Reflect on how precious your family is to you and live in the light of how fortunate you are to have special family relationships.
(Read Chapter 7, Identify Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Whereas enjoyment is a temporary sensation, the feeling of satisfaction lasts beyond the instance we experience something pleasurable. For anything to provide us satisfaction, it must be memorable so our mind can recreate the euphoria of the moment in the future. Take extra effort to craft satisfying experiences that are more memorable by making them unique and including those you love as a key component of them.
(Read Chapter 3, Re-envisioning Your Retirement, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Our beliefs and values largely determine what we choose to do (or not do) and who we aspire to be. When we give ourselves permission to live out our beliefs and values, we are being authentic to ourselves and leave ourselves open to new ways to experience the life we want. Closely consider what you believe and how that impacts who you see yourself as being, and press into those areas of life that will build you in the areas you would like to grow as a person.
(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
We all have the need for a meaningful identity, life purpose, love and peace. If all these Core Soul Needs are met in our life, other than the essentials we need to survive, there is nothing else we truly need. If you believe something is missing in your life, consider whether it is tied to any of your Core Soul Needs being unmet and how to meet them in a way this is fulfilling.
(Read Chapter 6, Core Soul Needs, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
A career is filled with the pursuit of many accomplishments that ends when we retire. However, retirement does not have to mark the end of us pursuing Accomplishment Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams. Think about what you may want to accomplish in this stage in your life when even though you might not be quite as ambitious, energetic and capable as you were earlier in your life, you still may be mentally and physically ready to take on challenges that give your life great purpose.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Growth is a continual outcome of a vibrant life, and when we stop growing, decay sets in. When we become less engaged in a part of our life that might even have once been important to us, we unwind it as part of our identity. Be intentional to focus on what is important to you to stimulate growth in this area of who you are and pull away from those parts of your life that you are okay with them withering away…and perhaps you may even want them to.
(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Communities are groups of individuals we feel connected to by a common interest. The more important the common interest is that we share with others, the more deeply connected we are to the community. Because life becomes more meaningful to you when you share it in community and your association with a community will shape how you grow as a person and who you will become, be careful that the communities in which you decide to immerse yourself because of your common interest also share your deepest beliefs and values.
(Read Chapter 7, Identity Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Our “mental space” is where do a lot of our thinking and planning, weighing options in our head and rehearsing how we want scenarios in life to play out. It could be a healthy place where we gain clarity about decisions we need to make or an unhealthy place of worry and anxiety. Take charge of your conscious and subconscious thoughts and focus them on helping you make better choices that will result in better outcomes.
(Read Endnote 7 to Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Responsibilities we bear require our commitment to meet expectations. It’s okay to have responsibilities—if we place them upon ourselves because they align with our priorities, but not if someone else has saddled us with them. Consider if you feel obligated by guilt or trying to meet someone else’s expectations to take on tasks that you don’t want for yourself, and confidently discard them.
(Read Endnote 4 to Chapter 9, Life Purpose, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
For relationships to endure challenges and changes in life, we must make the necessary effort to maintain our emotional commitment to those we are genuinely concerned about. Unlike expedient relationships which exist solely because our life path crosses conveniently with those of others, an enduring relationship requires dedication to overcome disruptions in life. Identify the special people in your life whom you value deeply and take the initiative to connect by meaningfully expressing your love for them.
(Read Chapter 10, Love, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Peace is essential for experiencing wellbeing at the deepest level of our soul. If our attempts to gain peace in stressful and upsetting situations is unsuccessful no matter how hard we try, it is freeing to recognize that peace is available by simply accepting it into our lives and allowing it to fill our hearts. Consider how you can claim the peace you need in your life by turning to a source that can provide you with the comfort you need.
(Read Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
When using our money for our own benefit, we can spend it (for pleasure), save it (for security), invest it (for success) or plan with it (for control), but what we need at our deepest Core Soul Need level is a meaningful identity and life purpose, peace and love. When we gift money, we are being a compassionate person (identity) who is making a difference in the world (life purpose) because of our concern for others (love) which brings us a sense of contentment (peace), and as a result helps us meet our Core Soul Needs. Consider gifting your money to others who need it more than you and experience greater fulfillment than you would gain by holding on to it and perhaps never needing it.
(Read Endnote 2 in Chapter 6, Core Soul Needs, and Endnote 6 in Chapter 9, Life Purpose, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
We often think of enjoyment in terms of quantity—having a lot of fun. Certainly, it is more enjoyable to spend more time having fun, but enjoyment is an experience of quality; we will not necessarily experience greater enjoyment by engaging in additional activities we find to be only moderately enjoyable. To experience more enjoyment in your life, be discriminating and make more time for what gives you greater enjoyment and less time for what doesn’t.
(Read Chapter 5, Maximizing Your Enjoyment, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
It’s important to have a healthy self-view and to love ourselves. This is not narcissistic self-absorption but self-acceptance, which recognizes we have room to grow but have also made great strides in who we are. Certainly, we have made mistakes that we need to both claim responsibility and forgive ourselves for. And just as certainly, we have successes that is proper we accept credit for while being thankful for those who helped us. Tell yourself what about yourself you feel good about.
(Read Endnote 1 in Chapter 15, It Was Nice to Spend Some Time Together, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Comparing ourselves to others is psychologically dangerous. It can cause us to think too highly of ourselves and look down on others we may feel we are better than, or it can cause us to feel discouraged about ourselves and envious of others who are in a better position. Because it is neither loving to compare nor relevant, we should simply rejoice in the goodness we and others experience. Check how you view others, discarding comparisons in favor of feeling joy in their victories and sorrow in their struggles.
(Read Endnote 6 in Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
More is usually better, but how much more of something do we need to feel satisfied? Because satisfaction has a long-lasting value, not feeling satisfied is an indication that a benefit we experienced only had a temporary effect, which is why we need to re-experience it. It is also possible that how we may have benefitted from something did not meet our deep needs. If you feel unsatisfied in life, consider whether it might not be due to a lack of quantity but because you are looking for satisfaction from something that is incapable of providing you with the lasting fulfillment you need.
(See Figure 4A in Chapter 4, A Framework for Retirement, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
An Internal Longing is a deep desire that is so intertwined with who we are and essential to our life purpose that we couldn’t imagine life without it. As long as it builds us up and doesn’t create imbalance in our life, it can be a healthy source of both enjoyment and fulfillment. Consider if what you would rather do than anything else is consistent with your beliefs and values and who you want to be, and if so, immerse yourself in it.
(Read Chapter 9, Life Purpose, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
An overflowing cup is a good picture of the immeasurable blessings we may be experiencing in our lives—blessings so abundant that we cannot contain them for ourselves. It’s a shame to store up an excess of blessings that we won’t use because we will never need to draw on them. Consider to whom you may want to pass on the blessings that have been entrusted to your care because they can benefit more from your bounty than you.
(Read Endnote 10 in Chapter 11, Peace, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Our complete identity is a complex combination of our Identity Components (aspects of who we are) that are consistent with our foundational Beliefs/Values/Character. Who we see ourselves as being (our identity) changes over time as different parts of our life increase and decrease in importance to us. When we retire, we replace our identity in our work with those Identity Components we deem to be the most important for us to engage in. Think about what is most meaningful to you and who you want to be in retirement, and focus on these aspects of your life that also provide you fulfillment.
(Read Chapter 7, Identity Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams is a progressive sequence of wonder we can experience in our lives: planning to accomplish what we expect to achieve (goals), stretching our vision for what is possible (hopes), and reaching for the improbable …which is also attainable (dreams). Pursuing dreams that offer unparalleled enjoyment and fulfillment can help us live highly intentional and rewarding lives.
If you have not yet, establish dreams for your life and as you strive to realize them, experience just how AMAZING your life can be.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
We all want to enjoy life in retirement when work requirements and family responsibilities can be set aside and we can create the lifestyle we want. However, experiencing enjoyment without fulfillment will eventually result in us feeling empty. Consider whether focusing on having fun is leaving you feeling less than fulfilled, and if you should be more intentional about meeting your need for a meaningful identity, life purpose, love, and peace—all of which are critical for experiencing fulfillment.
(Read Chapter 6, Core Soul Needs, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
An avocation is not just a passing interest, but something we take great delight in because of the wonderful enjoyment it offers. We are drawn to it because it is an important part of our life and who we are, which is why we value it as highly as we do. Consider which special interest(s) you currently have or perhaps did earlier in your life that you value so highly to make you want to pursue it with passion because of the great enjoyment and fulfillment it offers.
(Read Chapter 7, Identify Components and Facets of Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
For our money to be as valuable as it can, it must align with whatever is most important to us. If we value experiences and relationships, we should spend it accordingly. If we are accomplishment-oriented, we should seek to grow our net worth or use our wealth to achieve what money may be needed for. If our intention is to make an impact, we should determine to whom, when and how to transfer it. Be sure to use sound financial planning strategies to empower your Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams with your financial resources, seeking professional advice when helpful.
(Read Chapter 13, Bringing Your Money to Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Thankfulness is closely linked to quality of life—not because thankfulness is the natural result of having a good quality of life, but because an attitude of thankfulness is the determining factor for whether are experience a good quality of life. Having a good quality of life is possible even in harsh situations…when you have a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude. Assess your level of thankfulness and if it is low, list all the wonderful things in your life that you can and should be thankful for, despite the huge challenges you may be facing.
(Read Endnote 2 in Chapter 13, Bringing Your Money to Life, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
The course of our lives is dependent on the relationship of cause and effect; specific things have happened in our lives because of specific actions we took, or didn’t take. Rarely do we obtain the outcomes we want without deliberate thoughts, plans and actions. Think about the retirement you want, make specific plans, and take the necessary action to create the retirement you envision for yourself.
(Read Endnote 2 in Chapter 15, It Was Nice to Spend Some Time Together, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Compassion is a selfless emotion focused on meeting the needs and relieving the pain of others, disassociated from any benefit we may gain from helping. Without compassion, doing nice things for others is primarily a means to feel better about ourselves or an attempt to receive accolades. Consider how compassionate you are by reflecting on whether your motivation for doing nice things is solely to benefit others or if you have an ulterior motive to promote your own wellbeing. If your goodwill is tainted by seeking personal gain, grow in your compassion by staying anonymous (or not publicizing your actions) and humbly recognizing you are privileged to be of service.
(Read Endnote 7 in Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
A legacy is the lasting impact we leave behind after we pass away. The more people we can impact and with a longer lasting benefit to them, the greater the impact is that we are making. When the objective behind a legacy is to benefit others rather than promoting our prestige, leaving a legacy is a truly noble life purpose. Consider what lasting impact you would like to make, on whom, and how, then take the actions that are necessary for your intentions to actually become your legacy.
(Read Chapter 12, Life Goals, Hopes, and Dreams, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
A heart to make a difference in the world makes us more relevant to others because our love motivates us to connect through our actions. Realizing that our life is a gift can foster a heart of gratitude and a desire to share our life and love others. In so doing, we are God’s gift to the world. Consider developing a perspective that your life is a gift you want to share with others in need and allow it to prompt you to lovingly help others while providing you with great fulfillment.
(Read Chapter 10, Love, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
Some parts of our life may need an overhaul. Change is not limited to simply doing things differently but also includes thinking differently. Changing our thinking is necessary for creating new habits—the ultimate change in behavior. The resolve to change (tied to our values) must precede making changes in our behavior, but they work in tandem. The resolve to change empowers us to make important small changes in our behavior which reinforces our values and strengthens our resolve—making it both more important and easier for us to change further. In time, we will have not only reoriented our thinking and adopted new behavior patterns, but we will have also become a person whose new behavior patterns are more consistent with our values. Think about the changes you need to make in your life and how those actions are tied to your beliefs and values, then resolve to make changes in your behavior while experiencing the personal growth you desire in the New Year.
(Read Chapter 8, Creating Your Identity, in MaxAMAZING Your Retirement.)
