How to Retire like The Boss
So last night, I went to see Springsteen at Hyde Park.
Springsteen is 73 years young, which also means that he is two years away from being automatically defined as a vulnerable customer by age, according to most compliance professionals. (Thank you, regulation!) 👍
Being one of the last few living legends that I hadn't seen play, the gig was enjoyable, albeit slightly disappointing due to significant omissions in the setlist from the back catalogue. This left my wife slightly furious. As we trudged out of Hyde Park, we couldn't help but echo the words "absolutely criminal" and "gutted."
However, with some time to reflect in the morning, it was undeniable that not hearing several of the well-known tracks on Thursday's playlist was disappointing. The show ended with "Twist and Shout," which is often the go-to song for touring artists with a weak back catalogue when performing in the UK. We felt a bit unlucky with the set choice for the night.
Despite this, Springsteen's performance was remarkable. The two-and-a-half-hour set was filled with movement and energy that would put many artists a few decades his junior to shame. With the summer season in full swing, various headline acts from yesteryear have been performing. Some of the comments circulating on social media about living legends have been both slightly ageist and undeniably funny. See below:
"Baby, we were born to run" - Born to Run
Springsteen was quoted as saying, "I can't imagine retirement." The Boss defies the typical view of a 73-year-old. Retirement is often seen as a transition from active work to a quieter existence. However, there are instances that challenge this notion and prove that retirement doesn't necessarily mean slowing down or stepping away from what one loves.
Of course, it's easy to say that when your job is being a rock legend. Nonetheless, witnessing the energy of the show made me contemplate the concept of retirement and how flexible it can and should be.
In the book "Changing Gear," they discuss the third act of life, where individuals consolidate everything they have learned. It's a stage where careers are accompanied by hard-earned wisdom and perhaps even mastery. Like Springsteen, his live performances are a testament to the enduring energy that can be found in a commitment to one's craft. This begs the question:
Is the absence of these pursuits in retirement what truly ages us?
On a similar theme, in the book "The Infinite Game," Simon Sinek explores how adopting a mindset of continual play, learning, and dare I say it, work, can lead to a fulfilling life.
The central idea behind the infinite game is that life is not a finite game with predetermined rules and winners; it is an ongoing journey without an endpoint. Unlike finite games, which have clear winners and losers, infinite games have no fixed boundaries or time frames. They are played for the love of the game itself, rather than focusing solely on reaching a destination.
Sinek argues that many individuals and organisations fall into the trap of playing a finite game, obsessing over short-term goals and metrics at the expense of long-term success and growth. Instead, he encourages us to adopt an infinite mindset characterised by a focus on purpose, adaptability, resilience, and playing the game for the love of it.
"Everybody needs a place to rest. Everybody wants to have a home" - Hungry Heart
We all need time to reassess our views on work and find moments to rest, reducing the burden of a non-stop life.
While financial freedom is a goal, what to do once it has been achieved is often left too late in the planning process. Here are three important questions to consider regarding your retirement, courtesy of Mitch Anthony:
Have you had enough? (Of what you are doing)
Do you have enough? (To retire)
Do you have enough to do?
I suggest taking some time to contemplate the third question. Much like Springsteen, there is no reason why you should conform to traditional retirement norms.
Retirement can be an opportunity for reinvention and exploring new avenues in later life. While many individuals view retirement as an endpoint, it can also be a time for growth and creativity.
Of course, there is always the risk that you haven't saved enough. And if that's the case...
