Rockin' The Third Act

Welcome to the rest of your life! Living the DREAM in retirement!

You didn’t really have much choice about your First Act. Suddenly, you were in this big bright world! You learned to talk and walk and do your multiplication tables and pretend to pick up your room and people asked you “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Then, you were faced with the Second Act. You actually had to figure it out. And figure it out, you did. You diligently learned and grew and accumulated and contributed and made your mark on the world. You probably changed majors, jobs and/or careers (and spouses?) at least once or twice while you were sorting it out, but then you figured it out and, 30+ years later, the last song of that Act has been sung. Bravo to you!

Here’s the thing…

You know that Act you just performed? You’re probably going to have time to do it all over again! You planned and learned and worked on what that Second Act was going to look like for years. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to do the same thing for the Third Act? Yes! You do! And it can be as beautiful and healthful and fulfilling as the Second one. Even more so, since you have much more of a sense of who you are now! If you leave it to chance, there is every possibility that you may end up on the couch binge watching Netflix and looking for someone to pass you the potato chips and beer. But if you start now, planning and learning and working on the next act, you can make it whatever you dream it to be! Everybody knows you need to get your financials in order before you retire, but what about your social circle, your health and wellness — heck even the reason you get out of bed in the morning will have to change.

Do you have a dream? Do you have a plan to make it come true? Here are the first steps to creating the Third Act of your dreams!

Define your PURPOSE: Whether you want to change the world or just change your grandchild’s diaper, you need a reason to put your feet on the floor in the morning! Will you volunteer? Consult? Start your own business? Be there for your family? Find your purpose. Live your dream.

Create your WELLNESS plan: We all know that as we age, we need to be more mindful of our health. How are you focusing on yours? Will you add a vegetable to every meal? How about starting a walking club with friends? Maybe you’ll finally go to the dermatologist and have them do a full exam? Be well for your future, my friends!

Understand your FINANCIAL situation: Without a solid financial plan, it can be very difficult to figure out a life plan. It doesn’t have to be fancy! Just know how much money you have coming in each month and how much money you have going out each month. If they match, or the outflow is less than the inflow, you’re good! If there is a shortfall, there are tons of things you can do about it, including freelancing, downsizing and cutting out the Starbucks, among others. Are you ready for a life where Finances just work? You can do it!

Cultivate your CONNECTIONS: Sometimes, when you aren’t at the office or the mom’s group every day, those connections fade away. The last thing you want in your Third Act is to go it alone! Connecting with people is the spice of life! How will you continue connecting? Will you join other groups with your interests like Meetup? Will you host parties and get-togethers with your current group of friends so you don’t lose touch? Will you join in with friends of friends that you only know as acquaintances now? (A word of caution on this one. If you are expecting your significant other to be all the connections you need, maybe check that out with them. It can be very difficult for a significant other to be everything to their partner. A larger group of connections can be very helpful.)

Don’t forget the FUN!! Why did you work so hard to get here? So you can have FUN, of course! But do you have leisure activities that you want to do for hours at a time? Are you the traveling type? Do you prefer hobbies like knitting or drawing or woodworking? Maybe you like activities like fishing or cooking? Whatever it is, enjoy it with all of your free time! But BE FLEXIBLE! If you love baking, but now you’re doing it 7 days a week and it’s lost its luster, don’t worry! There are TONS of other activities to try! And now you have the time to try them! Go fly a kite. Take some pictures at the local duck pond. Sign up for salsa classes. You do you! It’s totally your life now!

I hope you will fill up your bucket in the Third Act! Have a purpose. Love your friends and family. Love and take care of yourself and have a little FUN while you are at it! I want you to have a full bucket because it’s WAY more fun that way! Not to mention the fact that a full bucket is much harder to kick! Enjoy making your Third Act exactly what you want it to be!