Today I’m continuing my thoughts on the great retirement book, Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy
So far, here are the posts in this series:
If you missed any of those you may want to go back and read them as they all build upon each other.
And we’ll be giving away a copy of the book at the end of this post. Be sure to check that out if you’re interested.
Be Creative
The book has an unusual way of naming the nine forces we all are (supposedly) battling in retirement.
Today the villain is “inertia.” Hahaha.
And the way you beat it is to be creative!
Ready to dive into this subject? Let’s go, starting with this definition:
Creativity is defined as the ability to produce work that is novel and useful.
Ok…let’s keep going…
Creativity in older adults is a pretty new area of research. Over 72% of the studies on the topic have been done in the last 20 years. A major one, The Creativity and Aging Study, was done by Gene Cohen at the George Washington University and illuminated the benefits people receive from being involved with the arts. Not only did their health improve, but they also had a higher level of social engagement. Cohen believed we have an inner push, a drive for continued growth and creative expression that persist as we get older. In his view, retirement opens up a liberation phase, a time to experiment and explore more creative things.
Being involved in artistic activities now and then is enjoyable but it doesn’t do much else for you. However regular engagement with the arts, and especially sustained involvement, is associated with enhanced well-being. Serious, long-term engagement with various creative activities (such as music, art, dance, writing, pottery, sewing, or woodworking) is associated with higher life satisfaction.
Ding, ding, ding! We finally got to the point I was hoping for!
I was beginning to worry that I was deficient in this area because I am about the least creative person I know.
Sure, I listen to and enjoy music and can appreciate good art, but there’s NO WAY I can create anything even decent.
I sing like a dying frog, dance like a blind mule, and have no skills in pottery, woodworking, or anything of the like.
But then I was saved…by one word: writing.
Hahaha. Writing is one thing I can do (at least enough to be average…and enjoy it.)
So I feel I barely squeaked through on this one…but I’ll take it. lol
Beating Inertia
Next the book introduces the opponent of creativity, inertia:
What gets in the way of creativity in older adults? The next opponent: inertia.
Here’s a straightforward definition: inertia is a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.
Instead of an inner push nudging me to learn and grow, I find myself standing pat.
It’s easier to stick with what you know. There’s comfort in the tried and true. There’s a risk in venturing out to try new things. There’s no guarantee it will work.
Isn’t this the old villain of the Status Quo that we faced a couple posts ago? Sounds like it to me.
I’m not sure where the book is going at this point, but I feel like they’re about to tell me I need to take up the piano or set up an art studio in my house (if I didn’t have writing — it’s my get-out-of-jail card on this one) or else my retirement will be a disaster.
Are you wondering the same? Let’s see where they go…
Creativity is not just about art. Gene Cohen’s work went beyond the arts. Cohen wrote about “Big C” creativity, which includes great works of art, and “little c” creativity, which is how we innovate in daily life.
As an example, financial independence and retiring early are innovations (the book talks about this) and those who follow FIRE (and execute it) are “creative” in how they handle their finances.
I suppose you can be creative in anything: how you shop, what you do with your spare time, how you manage your schedule, etc. To me it seems like an open-mindedness to try new things/look for different solutions to the same old problems. This sounds a lot like taking control of change…which we also discussed a couple posts ago. If nothing else, this section and the one a couple chapters ago are very similar.
Whatever the case, I can see where being “stuck in your ways” (what the book calls inertia) could contribute to a poor retirement because you do need to be flexible and solution-oriented, even when all the time in the world is on your side.
Here’s an example of the sort of creativity the book describes:
More people today are taking a creative approach to retirement by thinking about the role of work differently. A traditional retirement eschews work. the whole point is to leave it behind. But more people today are finding ways to continue working in a way that suits them. Working in retirement may sound like an oxymoron, but for some people, keeping work in the next provides purpose, meaning, and challenge. While a traditional retirement takes an all-or-nothing approach, a creative retirement explores flexible options for people who aren’t entirely done yet. Alternatives such as bridge jobs, part-time work, and consulting open up avenues to craft a version of semi-retirement that suits them well. And following a corporate career, some people choose to reinvent themselves as entrepreneurs.
Working in retirement? I think I’ve talked a bit about this subject. Hahahaha.
Here are some of my highlights:
Should I go on? I could. lol But we need to move on.
Before we do, I want to say how much I agree with this: “And following a corporate career, some people choose to reinvent themselves as entrepreneurs.”
This is exactly what I’ve done (with three businesses now — ESI Money, Rockstar Finance, and Millionaire Money Mentors) and it’s been a great part of my retirement.
When I was working, I couldn’t risk my career by starting a business. We were a one-income family and if my income disappeared, we would be in a world of hurt (at least eventually…we had savings, of course.)
But when you reach financial independence, that downside is no longer an issue and you get the chance to do whatever you like…which may be to start your own business.
It’s been very fulfilling for me. I enjoy it, it’s mentally challenging, and it’s allowed me to meet some really awesome people. And, of course, a few extra dollars here and there hasn’t been bad either. 😉
Takeaways
This chapter ends with the following takeaways:
- Staying in your comfort zone is tempting. It’s familiar and feel safe. But staying in it too long is limiting and constricting. Tune in to your inner push for continued growth to break free of inertia.
- Exploring art can have multiple benefits, including intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and improved health and well-being. Retirement offers the time to experiment with different types of art. Explore, try, and ultimately pursue one or more types that sparked your interest.
- Everyone can be creative. you may have been told you’re not a creative or artistic person, but with time, support, and sustained engagement, you can access your creativity. Embrace a beginner’s mind to cultivate yours.
- Creativity takes many forms. Beyond art, being creative in your daily life offers practical benefits. find ways to apply the wisdom from your life experience to develop novel solutions to challenges and problems. Be open to unexpected opportunities to be creative and think differently.
- A creative retirement looks past the traditional pathways others have followed and shines a light on an alternative way that’s right for you. Consider different ways to meet your unique needs and priorities. Take control of retirement to shape it around your core values and what’s calling you at this stage of life.
My take on these:
- It’s not all comfort zone or all new stuff. In fact, I’d say it starts as mostly comfort zone (because you’ve tried things before you retired and know you like them) and then morphs to “Hey, let’s try this new thing” later. This is how it played out for me and I felt the balance was right.
- I’m considering writing my “art.” Other than that, I go to an exhibit or concert once in a blue moon, but that’s it — and I think that’s ok. Not everyone is an art-minded person. But…
- …I am creative in many other ways (and I feel others are too.) So it doesn’t have to be music, art, theater, etc. to count as “creative.” You can be “creative” in how you get up every morning, eat your lunch, or wash your car. Hahaha.
- I consider retiring at 52 in and of itself to be “creative.” Google says 9% of Americans retire before 54 (which actually seems high to me) which puts me in a very small minority of very creative thinkers. 😉
That’s it for today! Stay tuned for our next post coming up soon.
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As I said above, I’m giving away a copy of Win the Retirement Game on every post I do about the book. Here’s how to you can enter:
- Leave a comment below telling me what you liked best about this post, what you think you can use, or something you learned from it. Basically just share anything meaningful related to the content above (note: “please enter me to win” and similar comments will not be considered out of pure weakness! At least put a bit of effort into it!) This should be fun!
- Be sure to leave your email address when you leave the comment so I will know how to reach you if you win (the email address will not be visible to anyone other than me).
- The winners will be selected by me at random a few days after this post goes live. I’ll announce who wins in my own comment.
- I’ll email the winner, get their address, and send them a book from Amazon.
As with most giveaways, there are rules. Here they are.
Good luck!!!!
