I’m coming out of retirement.
And yes, I appreciate the irony: I’m coming out of retirement to help people think about theirs.
This is a new chapter for Accelerant Coaching, with a focus I describe as Retire from Work, Not Life. I’ll be sharing ideas, questions and practical exercises for people approaching retirement and those already exploring what comes next.
To begin, I want to ask you one question:
What do you want more room for in your life?
You might have an answer immediately. You might have several answers that seem to compete with one another. Or you might need a little time with the question. Any of those is a useful starting point.
Start with something smaller than a life plan
“What should I do with the rest of my life?” can feel like an enormous assignment. Try bringing the question closer: What would you like more room for in the next month?
Perhaps you want unhurried conversations. A creative interest you have kept postponing. A way to contribute without taking on another demanding role. More time outside. Or simply a little breathing room before deciding what comes next.
Your answer does not need to sound impressive. It needs to mean something to you.
Before you sign up for a full calendar of activities, give yourself ten quiet minutes and a blank piece of paper. Set aside what you think retirement is supposed to look like. Consider what you would actually welcome into your days.
Finish three sentences
Write these prompts, leaving space beneath each one:
I want more of…
Think about experiences and relationships, as well as activities. “More connection” is a beginning. “A regular walk with a friend” gives that wish a shape you can try.
I want less of…
This might be rushing, saying yes automatically, or feeling that every hour needs to be productive. It may also be a commitment that no longer fits. You do not have to change it today; first, notice it.
I’m curious about…
This is the place for unfinished thoughts. A class, a cause, a neighborhood group, a creative practice. Curiosity does not require a promise that you will be good at something—or even that you will enjoy it once you try it.
Read your answers and circle one that catches your attention. Resist the urge to turn the whole page into a to-do list.
Turn one answer into an experiment
Choose something small enough to try this week. If you wrote “more learning,” look for one class to visit. If you wrote “more connection,” invite one person to meet. If you are curious about volunteering, arrange a conversation before agreeing to an ongoing commitment.
Define the experiment in ordinary terms: what you will do, when you will do it, and what you want to notice afterward.
For example: “On Thursday, I’ll call the community center about its photography group. I want to find out whether beginners are welcome and whether I can attend once before joining.”
That is a useful next step. You have made room for exploration without assigning yourself an entirely new identity.
If you’re a couple, start separately
Sharing a transition does not mean you will experience it in exactly the same way. One of you may want a busy social calendar while the other wants more quiet. One may be ready to explore a new community while the other misses familiar routines.
Try the three prompts individually before comparing your answers. Give each person time to explain without immediately solving, persuading or compromising.
Then identify one experience you would like to share and one interest each of you would like to pursue independently. The aim is a conversation about how you want to live together, with room for each person’s preferences.
Notice what the experiment tells you
After you try your small step, ask: What did I enjoy? What surprised me? What would I change? Would I like to do it again?
An activity that does not fit is still useful information. You can choose a different group, a different pace, or a different experiment. You are exploring, not taking a test.
My Five Ps framework offers other starting points: Purpose, People, Passion, Projects and Pace. You do not need to tackle all five at once. Choose the question that feels most relevant now.
Whether you are retiring, stepping away from a business, or settling into a new community, you can begin with one manageable choice about the life you want to create.
If you would like support exploring those choices, learn about retirement-transition coaching. You can also find more ideas in the Accelerant Coaching resources.
For today, return to that first question: What do you want more room for—and what is one small step you could take this week?
Arthur Schwartz, PCC
Accelerant Coaching