The visual shows that the majority of a retiree's time is spent on sleeping (9 hours), relaxing and leisure (6 hours), and watching television (4.5 hours). Very little time is spent on reading (0.5 hours), socializing (0.5 hours), or exercise/recreation (0.3 hours).
Most of us create this idyllic image of what retirement will look like, but the reality is (likely) much different.
My proposed solution: We need to reframe retirement.
The traditional concept of retirement is grounded in a foundational assumption that there should be a "before and after" within your life—that you grind away for years and years in the before and then get to enjoy the after.
I believe this foundational assumption is broken.
There needn't be a before and after within your life—it can all be fluid, a during.
The goal is to design a life that you don't need to retire from.
A life that has the freedom to balance fulfilling work with the relationships, hobbies, experiences, and pursuits through which you derive joy.
So, do you need to reframe the end goal? Do you need to reframe retirement?
Quote on changing your mind:
"The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." ― Muhammad Ali
Changing your mind is a software update that improves upon the old.
In 2007, researchers from Oxford published a study that found that ceiling height impacted creativity and focus. Specifically, higher ceilings promoted creative problem solving, while lower ceilings promoted logical problem solving.
These results were later confirmed by an experiment that took fMRI scans of participants' brains as they were shown images of high or low ceiling spaces. The parts of their brains that lit up while looking at high ceiling spaces were those used for broad exploration.
A design writer named William Lidwell coined the phrase Cathedral Effect to capture the phenomenon whereby big, tall spaces promote creative, abstract, exploratory behavior.
Interestingly, I've experienced this sensation well before I knew anything about the science to support it. The below excerpt is from a piece I wrote with reflections from a retreat I co-hosted in February:
Learning 1: If you want to think bigger, get in bigger spaces.
Your environment creates your entire reality. When you spend time in big, open, inspiring spaces, your mind becomes big, open, and inspired.
I don't know how it happens, but within minutes of arriving, staring out at the grand expanse of the ocean, seeing the beautiful villa, and breathing the fresh air, everyone independently mentions feeling inspired to think big.
If you're feeling stuck (on a project, or in life), go outside for a short walk in nature, spend a day at the beach, get yourself into a big, open, bright space. I guarantee your entire mindset will shift.
Big spaces catalyze big thinking.
As it turns out, the Cathedral Effect is the science that supports my assertion. Big spaces really do catalyze big, creative thinking.
My recommendation: Once a quarter, carve out a day to place yourself in a large, open space. Think big about your future, question your assumptions, and be bold.
P.S. If you're interested in attending a future Inflection Retreat, feel free to populate the form here.
Poem on the shortness of life:
I recently came across this beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson.
Life is shorter and more fragile than you realize (even when you account for that statement). Embrace what is within your power to control, and forget what remains outside of it.
This is some good, clean fun: A tool from NPR that hits you with random bits of delight to brighten your day.
Highly recommend taking a few minutes to enjoy (and sharing with a friend).
In Case You Missed It:
In Wednesday's issue, I shared 11 pieces of brutally honest advice to my lost younger self.
It's not your lack of time or energy, it's your lack of desire that holds you back.
Advice is overrated (and action is underrated).
Waking up early is as close to a life cheat code as you will find.
Don't do your best, do what is necessary.
Take the small things seriously, because small things become big things.
Creating your 5-year plan is mostly a waste of time.
External competitiveness is a curse, internal competitiveness is a blessing.
Happiness is found through service of others.
Reliability will take you much further than brilliance.
You should probably take that leap of faith.
You'll have a lot more success finding the things you're looking for if you start embodying them yourself.
What would you add to the list?
Preorder My First Book:
The 5 Types of Wealth offers a new way to measure what matters, make better decisions, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting joy and fulfillment. No matter who you are, or where you are on your journey, this book is for you.
If you've enjoyed any of my work, you're going to find immense value in this book. I guarantee it.
P.S. You get access to special bonuses (a video series, live AMA/office hours, and a book club appearance) if you preorder today. More info at the link below.
I get asked about my morning routine all the time. It changes from time to time, but AG1 has been the one constant since 2011. I drink it with a big glass of water every single morning to start my day on a positive tone.
It replaced an entire cabinet of supplements for me in one daily scoop—seriously, its latest iteration covers a multivitamin, multi-mineral, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, greens, and more. It keeps me feeling healthy and strong throughout the year, even when I'm traveling (thanks to the travel packs).
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