You can plan how your retirement will look, just as you were able to choose how your previous career progressed. You can enjoy the retirement that most fulfills you with some vision and forethought. In the latest episode of Creating Your Encore Career, Lynn reviews Mike Drak’s book Longevity Lifestyle by Design and discusses the concepts behind creating the retirement you want.

The next 20 to 30 years of your life will be impacted by your decision to retire and how you choose to retire. While you may decide that a life of leisure is exactly what you want from this period of your life, many people anticipate a new kind of retirement in which they can choose when and how much they work, possibly in an area completely unrelated to their prior employment.

There are three main types of retirees, and while none are right or wrong, they take different directions with their lives.

• Comfort-oriented. These retirees want to live a life of leisure, doing as they please and enjoying a lifestyle they couldn’t enjoy while pursuing a full-time career.

• Working to make ends meet. Without a solid financial foundation, some retired individuals need to continue working on at least a part-time basis.

• Growth-oriented. These individuals aren’t content to pursue leisure. Instead, they want to continue their growth, which may not necessarily be related to their prior career.

Once you’ve determined what type of retiree you may be, you’ll still need to understand that there will be a retirement dip. The retirement dip is a period of confusion for many and can cause you to feel there is no path forward, but there are some ways to recognize it for what it is.

• Your daily routine is disrupted.

• Your day-to-day life no longer looks the same.

• You are actively looking for what life looks like when you stop working.

• It can lead to unfulfilling retirement.

Mike Drak’s book identifies six distinct principles for pursuing a happy retirement. Whether you’re planning to pursue an encore career or simply enjoy your newfound freedom, these principles apply.

• Relationships and community

• A healthy lifestyle

• Financial security

• Spirituality

• Attitude

• Purpose

No matter what phase you’re in as you plan your retirement, the book Longevity Lifestyle by Design is a must-read on the path to planning your post-career years.