Community: A group of individuals leading a common life according to structure and goals.
Whatever part of the industry or profession we have worked in, chances are we unwittingly developed a second family—a community. This group’s contributions, influences, troubles and victories touched our life in significant ways. I would venture to guess that whether we believed these contributors were a part of our direct circle or members in our periphery, we became attached to their hopes, dreams and accomplishments, as well as their disappointments.
For many of us, life-long devotion to improving healthcare became central to our being. Our families, although one of the strongest areas we held in our heart and soul, often ran parallel to our bonds toward various healthcare partners. Every day, as well as many nights and weekends, were consumed with our unswerving mission. With our colleagues by our sides, we ate, strategized, shared frustrations, stayed past the times we had intended to go home, and, on occasion, even cried alongside one another.
Many of us did not have the time to develop another community outside of our work. Some had religious groups or golf and tennis games, grandchildren to adore, all bringing us pleasurable moments, but often overshadowed by the bond we held to our medical-centric community.
Now the great day has arrived! After 30, 40 perhaps close to 50 years, we are retiring. The party is held, we are off to enjoy, relax, spend time with family and turn ourselves over to new interests. We look back and see our familiar communal, for the first time fading in the distance.
Are we lost?
I am not sure many of us realize the impact of our work community. We pass the medical centers which are now calling us to turn toward them, but we don’t. It’s no longer our place, it is now the time for others to excel in our spaces. There is a grieving period, but it will end and be replaced by a period of reflection and the question: Now what?
But here is the additional secret…. A new community awaits us!
This unit, which we will individualize, will be built to reflect our value in this new environment. It will possess the opportunity for us to develop and mold it to be conducive to our unique retirement schedule. For the first time we can truly build life balance. Time for family, for interests, for work along with a possibility to share the knowledge we have acquired throughout our career
Whatever the path we choose for ourselves, there is now time to cultivate our connections to our redeveloped cooperative. This innovative and personalized collective encompasses a group of individuals who now routinely surprises us by their enhancement of our world.
It is startling to recognize the amount of knowledge we have acquired on our journey. We have lived the mistakes and the triumphs. Now the opportunity exists to not only enrich the unique collective we have chosen to become part of but to enhance our own sense of relevance.
There are numerous possibilities open for us to rewire our daily lives. Consulting, nonprofit, charity or religious work are all environments for us to rebuild in.
Using our own intentional listening skills—to actually take the time to listen to ourselves—we can appreciate this self-awareness and move forward, bringing value to our new community, as well as ourselves.
Susan Brown is president, Kiwi Healthcare Consulting, White Plains, N.Y., and an ACHE Member. She is also emeritus executive vice president, Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health System.
Retirement Recipe: The Secret Sauce to Successful Retirement
As with any recipe, a basic formula is created to follow. What and where the preparation and the implementation occurs has the best success when methods are modified to current situations and end goals.
I am including tips I found helpful on my own journey as an addendum to the accompanying article. You may have heard of and even used the Five Ps of Professional Success: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Below are the Five Ps of Retirement Success: Plan, Preserve, Partake, Partnership and Patience. Use them, modify them and prepare for your new world.
Plan
Prior to moving forward with thoughts of transitioning, whether it be toward retirement or just stepping away from your current role, be prepared.
- Review your insurance coverage. If you are going to use Medicare, check on secondary insurances that will provide you with coverage for physician visits and pharmacy needs.
- Find a senior citizen benefit advisor. It should be available at no cost to you.
- If you are absorbing a commercial insurance, look at your health needs and choose the plan that will best provide you the appropriate coverage blanket.
- Register at the Social Security office when age appropriate. Be knowledgeable that if you choose Medicare, these payments may impact your benefits.
- Create an initial daily plan, including your wake time, walking out times as well as other social activities. This new version of scheduled time may feel strange until you develop your rhythm.
Preserve
- Remember your identity is being challenged, your work persona may feel as though it has been stripped away, leaving you exposed and perhaps a little uncomfortable. Remember, who you were is not the sum total of who you are.
Partake
- Seek opportunities to participate in new endeavors, including social gatherings, new projects, hobbies, sports: things you always told yourself you would like to do, but never could really find the time or energy.
- Allow yourself to feel just a bit uncomfortable, accept this as part of the process.
Partnership
- If possible, participate with those working through similar experiences, friends, religious or sport groups, walking or book clubs or even your spouse.
- Not only does this fill your space, but each of these individuals has the potential to assist in developing your new community and expand connections for you to join other cooperatives.
- Tip: never burn any bridges along this journey. From the time you leave your current position and throughout this entire process, each encounter has the potential to enhance your future life.
Patience
- This experience is a process and a journey, which does require patience, a plan and a willingness to participate.
- Regard this transition as an exciting new opportunity: A chance to manage your life before you allow your life to manage you.
Susan Brown is president, Kiwi Healthcare Consulting, White Plains, N.Y., and an ACHE Member. She is also emeritus executive vice president, Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health System.