Bruce's Story -  The Satisfaction Cycle

A friend recently shared a story about a family member who, quite unexpectedly, self-navigated to retirement success. When you learn the odds he faced in doing so, his achievement can be called none other than remarkable.

Bruce enjoyed his life’s work as a Pennsylvania school administrator, and liked even more having summers off. He hit his ‘50’s ready to shift gears, and took the state’s generous, early retirement package. Bruce’s financials were solid: two grown, self-supporting children; a modest mortgage; continued income from his still-employed wife; reliable pension.

Fast-forward to the happy ending: Jake withstood aggressive treatment with flying colors. His prognosis is positive. Witnessing Jake’s marriage to a fabulous young woman this past summer transported Bruce to a surreal place.

When Bruce first got Jake’s news, he retooled his life around his son’s care and comfort. His retirement took on new meaning. Bruce felt fortunate to not have the burden of work diverting his time, or his focus, and his vague notions about leisure retreated onto the horizon. He readily deployed the “crisis” version of a retirement plan, shuttling between his suburban Pennsylvania home and Jake’s New York City hospital bed, coordinating care, and doing anything and everything else necessary. Day after day, week after week. Month after month, and into two new years.

Somewhere, somehow, in the middle of it all, Bruce found his way to a fundamentally fulfilling retirement. He found it in bike riding. Yes, bike riding become his passion, an essential element to happy retirement.

Bruce had always enjoyed recreational riding. But he had no idea how it could focus his life until he discovered Team In Training, which raises money for leukemia research and other potentially terminal health issues through sponsored rides. Beyond fundraising, Team in Training hooks new members up with local networks to train and travel with.

What Bruce originally pursued to honor his son became one of his own life’s anchors. Many 100-mile rides later – California, Colorado, New England and beyond – Bruce is in the best shape of his life. Maintaining his bikes, shortening his times and improving his teamwork all challenge him mentally, and physically. He’s richer socially, connected to a whole new network of like-passioned comrades. Finding, and enjoying, the right kinds of mental and physical challenges -- like finding a passion, as noted earlier -- can literally make or break a retirement.

Bruce even has a new part-time job, as his local bike shop’s first 60 year-old ride leader, guiding tours of the rolling, Eastern Pennsylvania countryside.

There’s an important disclaimer. In truth, Bruce backed into his non-financial retirement plan, borne of profound circumstances that called for pragmatism. In psychological parlance, his ingrained, flexible planning style flipped from a potential “planning negative” (a desire to keep options open and not commit) to a “planning positive,” because it enabled him to easily shift gears to caretaker mode, while also opening him to a wide set of possibilities, including cycling.

Under most circumstances, and for most people, a more proactive approach is the way to go (as we’re certain even come-what-may Bruce would now attest). Understanding how key ingredients like a passion, physical activity and mental challenge all marinate to season a fundamentally fulfilling retirement is a great way to start. Reflecting on key personality traits that affect planning (either on your own, or with some guidance) plays a big role, too.

Give it some thought before you ride off into retirement sunset.

Happy trails!