I like the Boy Scout motto, so I am going to use it here, as I have mentioned it in my book, “A New Wrinkle: What I Learned from Older People Who Never Acted Their Age.” We are in an age of change. Change allows us the opportunity to either go with it by being flexible, or go against it by doing some other kind of behavior. A seven point primer for aging boomers is as follows:

1. Be prepared. That is be prepared for change and what you may need to do to adapt or change yourself.
2. Plan to work and work to plan. We all need a plan on where we need to go and how we are going to get there. As the late, great American philosopher, Yogi Bera once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” So, formulate your goals from your core values and make them part of your strategic life plan. Set time aside to think about what it is you want to accomplish in the next three to five years. Write these down. Then set a list of objectives on paper supporting your goals. Then develop an action plan.
3. Plan to change. Be open to change. Be ready to change your plan if necessary. Plan for retirement the same way you plan to work. Be accepting of change.
4. Know thyself. In all of your planning, get to know how you think, what you want for yourself, and why. Be accepting of yourself.
5. Learn to give your gifts away. I have always advocated that none of us know what gifts we have until we give them away. Volunteer and get out of yourself. This will help to empower you and others.
6. Challenge yourself. Work your brain and stay young. Exercise your brains. Exercise your bodies. Stay social. Stimulate and rekindle your inner child. This will enable you to continue to be curious and spontaneous. Have fun and enjoy each day. Live in the moment.
7. Forgive. Forgive yourself for not meeting the expectations of others and forgive others for putting their expectations on to you. This way you can continue to develop your sense of self, be yourself and increase your self-esteem. Forgiveness is freeing and brings on new vistas and capability for achievement and introspection.

Having a sound work ethic is of basic importance in all that we do. Work allows us to feel useful, wanted, needed, worthy of praise, and it increases our self-esteem. Without work of any kind, even in retirement, we lose some part of ourselves that we deem important. This can be unconscious or conscious enlightenment. By working we give ourselves ability to perform a function that will empower us in the scheme of things as well as empower others; making a difference in the process.

Work gives us direction. Work gives us activity for improving ourselves. Work stimulates our minds. Work serves others. Work makes us productive members of a great whole. Work gives us value. Work can bring fun and excitement. Work is opportunity. Work is rewarding. Work staves off boredom and inactivity. If you are retired and feel bored, unfulfilled or sad, then find work that will empower you in many ways.