Our lives can be cyclical at times, ending back at a starting point. The same thing sometimes happens with our jobs; you start by working at a fast food restaurant, begin your career and move through the ranks and become an executive, and then end up working at Tim Hortons in retirement. The circle of life, it certainly gives you something to look forward to, doesn’t it? Of course this doesn’t happen to everyone and for many, it is by choice. I remember speaking with an executive from a former company I was employed with and he was working at the local hardware store. When I asked him how he felt about going from company executive to hardware clerk, his reply was that he loved it because he didn’t have to make any decisions or worry or have employees to consider. This was his personal choice and money may or may not have been a factor in his decision, but how many of us are in similar situations? When people speak about retirement they often focus on the money end of life and not the other more fulfilling part of retirement such as hobbies.

You may not be ready to think about retirement, but it is something you should be thinking about well before that time arrives in your life. I will let you handle the money factor of retirement but I think we all will want something to do during that part of our lives. I look at my father as he is going through that portion of his life. He focused so much on his position as an accountant and due to bad eyesight never really developed any hobbies. Now for the last few years, he has other problems and is very bored with life. Even in my own life, although I am not close to retirement or have plans to retire anytime soon I have started thinking about what I will do in later life. For instance, I started golfing a few years ago and hope that will be a hobby I can continue into my later years. As long as my eyesight and arms hold up I should be able to continue to work in my businesses for as long as I wish.

So where are you in your journey in life? If your position has been on the road for many years you may find that you don’t have any skills other than driving. After twenty five years of driving it is hard to learn new things all of a sudden. Since most of the trucking population is currently at an average age of fifty; myself included, now is the time to start thinking about our later years. Even if you’re already in your later years and still on the road how will you gradually move into retirement mode? Many think you just get to that age and you stop, boom you’re retired! I have heard people who have that type of retirement program that pass away shortly afterwards due to the fact they have nothing to look forward to. So if you don’t have a plan for your later years in life, now is the time to think about it. Maybe start learning new hobbies now while your mind and body are in good shape so that you can continue those hobbies into later life. Think about your job or what you will do down the road. I hope to continue writing, drawing, and golfing. What will you do?

About the Author

Bruce Outridge has been in the transportation industry for over 30 years and is author of the books Driven to Drive and Running by the Mile. Challenger Motor Freight Inc. is one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies (platinum member) and is looking for quality team members. To learn more about opportunities with Challenger visit their website at www.challenger.com