StemCell Therapy

Dr. Hinohara was still treating patients and clocking 18-hour workdays up to a few months before he passed away. He clearly loved what he did, and he was fortunate to have a sense of purpose saving lives.

Possibly my favorite piece of wisdom he shared was the concept that when you have a long life expectancy, you can spend the first 60 years working for you and your family, then the next 40 years working for the greater good and contributing to make the world a better place giving you a sense of greater purpose.

Remember the Gallup Work Engagement Study?

Lets be realistic about the world we live in today. Only 1 in 5 people truly love their work like Dr. Hinohara did. Most big companies call you family, but in the end, they serve their shareholders. Surplussing is one of the new and more despicable terms for sugarcoating when a company needs to lay people off theres a surplus of humans here, so lets reduce the surplus. Not to mention, from ages 55 to 65, you may not have the choice to keep working at your primary job.

The result? One in 5 people in the U.S. downright hate their jobs, another 3 in 5 could take it or leave it. So, 4 out of 5 workers dont share Dr. Hinoharas love of work and a sentiment to never retire.

Keep in mind I wrote You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think, so Im a little biased toward Americans being able to stop working at their current job long before age 105. However, one of the main components thats paramount to an early and happy retirement is having multiple activities/projects/endeavors that youre passionate about working on. I call these, core pursuits. Its something that Dr. Hinohara clearly had down pat.

Put core pursuits at the center of your retirement planning.

First of all, losing the dignity of work isnt easy for most people. Remember the study from Harrys that said the No. 1 predictor of a mans happiness is his job satisfaction and his feeling of impact at his company and career? Americans, both men and women, love to work and love to earn if their productivity is channeled in the right direction.

It isnt easy to replicate the energy, challenge and accomplishment you get from work its almost like rigorous exercise. The workout or run may hurt, but it makes you stronger, and healthier. In some respects, continuing to work, particularly at something you enjoy doing, offers similar benefits.

Just look at Jimmy Buffett. He made a living of singing about wastin' away again in Margaritaville, but when you look at the empire that hes built with his music, beverages, real estate, restaurants and other merchandise, its easy to see that this guy works his tail off to sell the idea of a relaxing life to others. And based on his success and his reported half-a-billion dollar net worth, its clear that hes not just in it for the money these days.

The end result of working similar to a long run or workout at the gym is very difficult to replace. So, the HROBs Happiest Retirees on the Block of the world re-create their work stimulation by deploying a long series of core pursuits.

Maybe yoga, gardening, fishing, hiking, biking, running, walking, golfing, going to church, crafting or art ends up not being enough. Thats OK. Maybe you can transition your skills into a very involved volunteer role or lower-paying nonprofit job. Maybe its starting your own small business. Consider a teaching, coaching or mentoring role. Write a book. Start a website. Join a band. Become a tour guide or historian in your town. Put your cooking skills to use to feed your community. Your core pursuits can lead you to a more fulfilling future while adding life to your years.

Get going and get growing.

I get what Dr. Hinohara was saying, but beyond following a sparse diet and taking the stairs, his advice to work forever just wont work for most Americans. We have to work and save so we can have the economic freedom to follow our passions. Its something thats typically unrealistic if you have a new mortgage and are trying to raise a family. Happy retirees find themselves in the opposite position. They can take on a job or career thats focused on feeding their soul rather than financing their family.

Remember Dr. Hinoharas reflection that once youve raised your family, the next phase of your life (60-plus) can be focused on you and the greater good around you.

Curiosity killed the cat, but a lack of curiosity is what kills the happy retiree.

Wes Moss has been the host of Money Matters on News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB in Atlanta for more than 10 years now, and he does a live show from 9-11 a.m. Sundays. He is the chief investment strategist for Atlanta-based Capital Investment Advisors. For more information, go to wesmoss.com.

DISCLOSURE

This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment adviser before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

Original post:
Wes Moss: You dont have to work forever, but you can use your talents - Atlanta Journal Constitution

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