MyNextSeason

Retiring During a Pandemic

My first months of retirement were made even more uncertain because of COVID. The world was already “retiring” from day-to-day normalcy. There were very few opportunities to connect in person with clients, colleagues, and friends to reminisce and say goodbye and thank you! In some ways, it was a quiet, peaceful start to my next season, but I felt a bit of a void not being able to visit with people who had meant so much to me for 37 years. I also felt like I needed to be more thoughtful and deliberate about what was next. I was entering uncharted waters in many ways. While there were happy and exciting moments, I often wondered, “What will tomorrow really feel like?” The closest thing I can equate it to is the feeling the day after my oldest child was born—everything changed, all very good and exciting, but very different. It was the same on my first day of retirement.

Should I, or Shouldn’t I?

In the beginning, there was a lot of exploring. I felt one way at night and a different way in the morning. Should I consult, teach, serve on boards, work part-time, or do it all again and build a business development strategy for another organization? I was presented with many great opportunities and have kept several doors open I will likely revisit as I move further into retirement. It’s an amazing gift to have the flexibility to simply enjoy your life in whatever way you choose. I’m now in a place where I enjoy doing what I choose to rather than what others think I should. For the first time in decades, I’m in control of my schedule, and it feels great!

Valuable Validation

MyNextSeason helped me sort out what I really wanted. I got close to signing up for a few new roles when I realized they may not have been the right fit. I realized I absolutely loved the complete freedom and flexibility to try different things and explore! I was never bored, and my schedule was actually too busy with fun things. I remember calling my Advisor at one point and saying to him, “Am I crazy? But I’m really having a good time and want to enjoy it. I want to sign up for a few of the right things but leave lots of room on my calendar and see what’s next.” He said, “Absolutely not. It’s your next season, and you just figured out what it’s going to be.” If I hadn’t talk it through, I might have made some decisions I would have had to unwind.

Take Your Time

Give it a year, at least. Put your feelers out. Initiate your conversations. Keep them alive. Don’t close any doors, but avoid signing on the dotted line too often or too early because I can’t imagine anybody is going to feel the same way a year after they retire as they did on the first day.

No Structure, No Regrets

I have no sense that I should have continued working full-time. I was several months in when it started to become pretty apparent that I had this passion to just enjoy every day and pursue some personal interests I had never had the time for. I don’t want to have a fully booked calendar. I absolutely love the freedom to wander. I just booked trips to a classic car show in February and a boat show in March. No conflicts on my calendar!

Finding New Joy in Giving Back

I represented KPMG in many philanthropic efforts throughout my career. Now, I’m enjoying giving back on a more personal level through philanthropy, coaching, and mentoring. I remain very active with the American Cancer Society, the finance committee at my church, and my alma mater, Long Island University. Those organizations bring issues to the table I feel I can have a real impact on. I now also have the opportunity to support my wife and her interests, most notably her efforts to address hunger and homelessness on Long Island. Now, I can be there for her as she was for me during my time at KPMG.

The Gift that Keeps Giving 

It’s a great gift to be able to retire. I loved my career, the friends I made, the clients I served, and the experiences I had. But 80% or more of everything about me went to KPMG for 37 years. To now redirect 80% of who I am to other priorities and interests is a great feeling of freedom, happiness, and satisfaction. Can you remember the summer after Senior year of high school? It’s like that, but it doesn’t end! It’s all about being with your friends and family, doing things important to you, laughing, and enjoying each day. It feels like endless summer!