Larry is not alone. In our survey we found that about one-quarter of retirees work. The truth is many retirees actually liked their careers, and would not have minded continuing in that role if they could re-define their jobs to have less stress, have more choice in the tasks performed, and work fewer hours each week. It’s the constraints on time and the unmanageable set of demands that interfere with a retirees’ belief that they’re retired — and retired is how they want to think of themselves.
So, as part of Larry’s thinking, you have to care about your job, but not allow it to make you crazy, and if it does, go find something else to do. He also brings up another crucial point — he doesn’t work only for the money. For a job to feel right, you have to do it for the right reasons. Money or boredom cannot be the only motivators. Instead, you have to look for the psychological and social benefits, such as feeling productive or having an opportunity for social contact. In that way you’ll feel more emotionally connected to the world, have more self-confidence, and feel your life has purpose, and so you’re happier.
If you can’t tell if you’re working or retired, you’re not retired.
