10 Tips to Stay More Productive in Retirement (2022)

You're a decade or two into your employment and may be thinking about retirement. But, before you do retire, you'll want to leverage your experience to stay productive in retirement. It may be easy to get things done in your twenties or thirties, but retirement can be a different story at forty or fifty. If you're finding it challenging to remain productive in retirement, here are some helpful tips to help you get back on track.

Retirement can be a tricky transition for many people as they're leaving behind the structure that was their workday. It's one thing to be excited about the things you'll be able to do in retirement, but it's another to keep yourself busy and motivated when there isn't someone assigning tasks or deadlines.

Ten tips to stay more productive post-retirement

1. Plan ahead
   The earlier you start thinking about what you'll do in retirement, the better off you'll be. Set goals for yourself, so you have something to work toward during your later years. These can be individual goals like learning to play an instrument or mastering a new language.
   
   They can also be travel-related goals, such as visiting all 50 states or travelling worldwide. Planning gives you something to look forward to once your career ends.
   
   Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to play the piano or speak Mandarin. Well, now's the time to give it a shot! Studies have shown that having concrete goals can help us stay motivated in our golden years and take advantage of our brain's plasticity (its ability to adapt and change). Be sure to include financial goals in your plans so that money won't be an issue when it comes time to retire.
   
   The best way to boost your retirement productivity is to plan. The earlier you start thinking about what you'll do in retirement, the better off you'll be. Set goals for yourself, so you have something to work toward during your later years.
2. Learn new things
   
   Retirement opens up a world of possibilities for taking classes or learning new hobbies and skills. You may find an interest that becomes a passion or even a side business. Take an inventory of your skills, interests, and hobbies. Your interests may have changed over time. Retirement is an excellent time to explore them. The best way to get the most out of retirement is to take advantage of the opportunities it creates.
   
   If you don't know what you want to do, start by finding a question that is driving your life. Identify your skills and hobbies, and then find a way to put them to use. You may want to start small with a side business or volunteer activity. It's also a good idea to explore topics that interest you outside your job, such as history, philosophy or religion.
3. Get fit
   If you've been putting off exercise because of your busy schedule, now's the time to make physical activity a priority in your life. Regular exercise can help prevent illness, keep your weight down and improve your moods, making it easier to tackle other goals on this list.
   
   Stay active by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. Regular physical activity helps reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes while lowering blood pressure, boosting mood, improving cognitive function and increasing energy levels.
   
   Physical activity is also a great way to keep your mind sharp as you age. It improves memory and mental acuity, making it easier to tackle new goals in life and make plans for the future. As you get older, regular exercise can also reduce the risk of falls or accidents.
   
   Although you might not be able to go running every day at 70, there's no need to stop exercising altogether once you reach 65. Even small amounts of physical activity can benefit your health and lower stress levels while improving brain function.
   
   
4. Keep Working
   It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do for your health and longevity is to keep working after retirement.
   
   Studies show that continuing to work even just a few more years can add up to seven years to your life expectancy — and those are good quality years. Plus, the longer you wait until retirement, the better your chances are of having enough money saved up to last through your retirement years.
   
   Another benefit of keeping up with work is that it keeps you active and engaged in society, which helps fight off depression. Plus, who wants to sit around all day doing nothing? If you love what you do or enjoy the people you work with, there's no reason not to continue working as long as possible.
   
   
5. Start a part-time job
   One way to stay more productive in retirement is by finding a part-time job if you have time. You don't have to spend 40 hours a week at work, but having something small to fill up your mornings, afternoons or evenings can help keep you from getting bored and losing productivity. Plus, you'll need the extra income if you want to retire early.
   
   Volunteering is a great way to get out of the house and keep yourself busy while doing something good for others. There are thousands of volunteer opportunities available throughout the country. Consider volunteering with a non-profit organisation whose mission resonates with you. If you want to continue making a difference in the world, volunteering is one way to do so after retiring.
   
   You could volunteer at your local hospital or nursing home, or perhaps you would prefer to work at an animal shelter or soup kitchen. The best part about volunteering is that there is a suitable job for everyone – you have to find it!
   
   If you want to contribute, volunteering is one way to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. It's estimated that about one in four adults between ages 45 and 74 volunteer for non-profit organisations and that 55% of these volunteers are retired workers.www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02647/full
   
   
6. Be realistic about your skills and abilities
   Your life has changed since your working days — as has your physical condition — so look for opportunities that fit your strengths and interests.
   
   If you're looking for ways to stay more productive in retirement, remember that your skillset is a product of your life experience, so be realistic about what you can and can't do.
   
   For example:
   Many people assume that if they've been out of work, they'll be able to pick up their old job efficiently, but it's often a different story once you move into the new workplace.
   
   You might be able to use all or part of your old skills and knowledge, but that doesn't mean it will translate easily into the new environment. Maybe you never developed those skills in the first place. Perhaps they were buried beneath years of other responsibilities.
   
   
7. Define Success in Retirement on Your Terms
   The first step in being productive in retirement is to develop a vision for how you'd like to spend your days. Some people enjoy focusing on spending more time with family or embarking upon new adventures, while others like staying involved with their careers or volunteering for causes they care about.
   
   Whatever your plans may be, it's essential to have a vision and make sure it aligns with your goals. If you're unsure about what you want to accomplish in retirement, it can be helpful to try out different activities and see what brings you joy.
   
   Taking the time now to assess your values and preferences will help you take advantage of the opportunities that align with your goals and avoid those that don't. For example, if you're an introvert who's always dreamed of travelling, joining a tour group might not be a good idea because you'll feel overwhelmed by forced social interactions.
   
   
8. Establish a Routine
   Just because you aren't going into the office every day doesn't mean you need to relinquish structure from your life. Having some routine can help maximise productivity in retirement. Doing so creates healthy habits and gives you something to look forward to each day.
   
   Creating a daily schedule with some structure can help you keep on track and stay productive. You can leave room for spontaneity, but building in an hour or two of quiet time for reflection — and maybe even meditation — can help you feel more grounded and less stressed.
   
   A crucial part of this is to have some "end" to your day, which might be as simple as shutting down the computer, turning off the television and picking up a book before bedtime. Develop a healthy routine — get enough sleep and eat right.
   
   
9. Maintain Positive Relationships
   Maintaining strong relationships with loved ones will help you stay happy and healthy in retirement. Just because you're not working anymore doesn't mean you have less time to spend with them or share special moments.
   Maintaining good relationships is also a great way to fill your days and keep yourself occupied when you're not working. Research shows that an excellent social life after retirement is an important factor in staying independent and healthy, both mentally and physically.
   
   
10. Create a Budget and Stick to It
    The first thing you need to do after retiring is create a budget. Pay careful attention to the sources and amounts of your income and your spending. Consider both fixed expenses and discretionary spending. Your nest egg isn't last forever, so make sure you're not spending irresponsibly.
    
    It can be tempting to splurge when you retire, but maintaining a budget is essential, so you don't deplete your savings too quickly.
    
    If you've been working in the traditional sense for most of your life, then retirement can be a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the ordinary world. But that doesn't mean you should let go of all that hard-earned discipline. Good money habits are critical in retirement.

Wrapping Up
Many people look forward to retirement, particularly as the years grow longer for them. However, some retirees may find that they begin to feel unsatisfied with their new lives. One of the best things you can do after retiring is to make sure that you stay productive. If you want a detailed analysis of your productivity during this sensitive time in your life, you can try out Timedoctor's productivity benchmarking tool. That said, use the tips we've outlined here to help you stay on top of your game during retirement and ensure a fulfilling life.