Landing The Plane: Powering Toward Retirement

There comes a point in many careers when the fast pace of building and striving begins to slow. The days of climbing the ladder may be behind you. Instead, you find yourself pausing more often to reflect – noticing the changing landscape and what might be coming next. Retirement is on the horizon.

This is the phase I like to call “landing the plane.” You’ve had a long journey. You’ve navigated challenges, adapted to change, and kept moving forward through good times and rough air. Now, you're preparing for something just as important as the climb: a thoughtful transition into a new stage of life.

For mid- to late-career professionals, this phase can bring mixed feelings. On one hand, there’s relief. You’ve earned the right to slow down. You’re not trying to prove anything anymore. You’ve built something – possibly even a legacy – and it feels good to look back on what you’ve accomplished. But it also can feel strange.

There are still challenges that show up late in the game. Health concerns, workplace shifts, or the rapid pace of change in areas like technology (I’m looking at you, AI) can make this time feel uncertain. Underneath it all, the question looms: What does purpose look like after full-time work?

Retirement sometimes happens gradually – through more selective projects, mentoring younger colleagues, or cutting back on hours. For others, it’s a hard stop due to job loss or health events. However it unfolds, it helps to step back and think carefully about your next steps. You’re entering new territory, and it’s okay to take your time.

Talking with others – colleagues, a therapist, close friends – can bring clarity. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Some people feel a strong pull to stay useful and connected, just in a different way. Others may be ready to explore parts of life that were long put on hold. Both paths are valid. What matters most is that you’re the one choosing how to move forward.

It’s tempting to see the process of retiring as simply something to get through. But this time of transition can be deeply meaningful. It’s an opportunity to finish well – not in a rushed or reactive way, but with care and intention. That’s different from earlier stages of life, where major events like unexpected births or deaths often swept us along. Now, there’s a chance to define success differently – not by titles or deadlines, but by peace of mind, integrity, and freedom.

You’ve come a long way. You’ve weathered enough to know what matters. This next chapter doesn’t need to be rushed. With the right perspective and support, you can enter it with confidence and clarity.

Here if you need me.

Tom