Identify your passion.

The first step in creating your life plan for retirement is to identify those activities and interests that make you feel happy, alive, and invigorated. Ask yourself:

• When in my life have I felt truly alive?
• What was I doing at that time?
• What talents, skills, and gifts are most recognized by others in my life? Are they related to what I was doing when I felt so alive?
• Where do I see God consistently leading me?
• What was I doing when I thought, "If only I could do this for the rest of my life?"

Discern Your Vision. 

Now that you have identified the activities that bring "life" to your life, you should develop your "vision" by setting goals to help you live a fulfilling retirement.

• Look at the different aspects of your life - family, career, finance, community, and spiritual. 
• Review them and evaluate the time you are spending on each
• Determine how you would like to spend your time. What aspects are your priorities? What do you want to accomplish?
• Envision your life if you spent your time on your priorities

Set Your Goals. 

Now that you have a vision, it's time to set your goals.

• Determine what you want to accomplish in the next couple of years. Make sure that the accomplishments are realistic and specific - and that you are enthusiastic about reaching these goals. Are they your passion?
• Write down at least three goals.
• Identify family, friends, and resources that will help you achieve your goals.
• Identify challenges that you will face so that you will be prepared to deal with them.
• Enlist the support of your family and friends. They will encourage you, help you, and hold you accountable for your goals.
• Evaluate your progress toward your goals on a regular basis.
• Envision your success and enjoy the journey!

Practice your spirituality. 

Continue to engage your spiritual side. It is a source of strength and purpose during our lives. When you are undergoing major changes in your life, it can be easy to forget to touch base with your spirituality and use it as a guide through those changes.

Redefine your vocation. 

Even in retirement, we continue our ministry. While you may not be serving in a parish, your ministry can touch and help many people. Explore the options available to you — working with people in need in your community, assisting in the parish or diocese, or missionary work.