People, Place, and Purpose: A Next-Season Framework
By Charles Bowman, MyNextSeason Advisor and Former North Carolina President, Bank of America
Everyone’s transition is different—but the question that tends to throw people off the most at this time is the casually curious “So … what are you going to do next?”
Whether you’ve been preparing for this moment for years or are still catching your breath after stepping away, that question, often asked by well-wishing friends or colleagues, can feel like a pop quiz you didn’t study for.
I always tell my clients that you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a short answer—a gracious and confident placeholder while you give yourself the space to explore. It might be, “I’m taking two weeks to decompress at the beach,” or “I’m spending time visiting family and friends I haven’t seen in a while.” That’s enough. You’re not obligated to deliver a five-year plan. In fact, I encourage you not to.
Because this next stage—it’s different. Not just in structure, but in spirit. And with difference comes emotion. For some, it’s relief and joy. For others, it’s disorientation or loss. Most feel a mix of all of the above.
While the process of discerning what’s next can be overwhelming, with a curious and open mindset, this can become one of the most freeing and fulfilling phases of life. But it’s not just about what you want to do. It’s about how you want to live—and who you want to become. That’s why I encourage clients to organize their thinking with a simple, grounding framework: People, Place, and Purpose.
People: Retirement doesn’t just change your schedule; it reshapes your relationships. Some will fade naturally (such as those daily co-worker check-ins), while others will take on new significance. The big question is, with whom do you most want to spend your time?
This is a rare season in life where you get to choose. Really choose. Who energizes you? Who challenges you in good ways? Who brings comfort and joy? Make a short list. Reach out. Reconnect. This is your chance to deepen old friendships and cultivate new ones.
Place: Our environment shapes us more than we realize. That’s why I recommend having a place, even just one, that draws you out of bed in the morning. It might be a local coffee shop, a volunteer gig, a hiking trail, or just a quiet corner of the library. Get up, get out, and go somewhere!
You don’t have to travel the world (though you can!). Sometimes, the most grounding thing is simply having a spot that feels like yours; a place where you feel present, alive, and connected.
Purpose: This might be the most elusive, but also the most powerful, element of the framework. What will make you feel proud at the end of the day? What gives you that feeling of, “This matters”?
Purpose doesn’t have to mean a new job or a grand cause. It can be learning a new language or helping your grandchild with their science project. The key is to do something that excites you or makes you feel content.
So, the next time someone asks, “What’s next?” Smile. Give your short answer. Then remind yourself that you don’t need a master plan. Just people who matter, places that ground you, and a purpose that moves you. That’s plenty.
