Making Happiness a Part of Your Retirement Plan was a blog post that caught my eye this morning. As Vanessa Chris points out most people’s retirement focus is financial. But money doesn’t buy happiness so you must think of the other dimensions of a fulfilling life. She lists some problems and their solutions.

The Problem: Lack of Preparation

The Solution: Take It Easy Taking It Easy

Avoid a sharp transition from work to retirement if you can. Plan activities to try, with or without family and friends. Don’t count on relaxing for a while, then figuring it out. Especially if you’re cutting your career cold turkey, start something new soon after.

The Problem: Even Busier Than Before

The Solution: Do the Math

Work out realistic timelines, especially if you plan on engaging in many activities at once

The Problem: Declining Health

The Solution: Don’t Plan Too Far Ahead

Make sure you make a genuine, active, thought-about mental distinction between hope and expectation, keeping goals realistic.

The Problem: Sustained Interest and Enjoyment

The Solution: Maintain Perspective, Test, and Diversify

Try not putting all your eggs in one basket. Don’t start too intensive, and allow yourself to enjoy a few avenues for entertainment, stimulation, and productivity. In retirement, there’s no reason why you can’t plan many small things, far from undertaking a big new project or starting a new, heavy venture.

There are more suggestions in the article that are worth reviewing. Alternatively there is a book called Happiness Plan: Simple Steps to a Happier Life.

Finding happiness isn’t easy and life often gets in the way. Happiness doesn’t just happen, people need a clearer vision of attainable happiness, defined in simple terms – people need a plan. This book offers some simple observations about how any individual can be happier, here and now, by choice, self-awareness and practice.

Whichever way works for you, just remember money isn’t everything.

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• Ariane de Bonvoisin: 10 Secrets I’ve Learned about Being a Happier Woman (huffingtonpost.com)

Technorati Tags: Happiness, Human Resources, Retirement plan