Keeping your mind active is one of the most important health and wellness retirement topics. And so, how can we keep our minds active as we leave the workplace and enter retirement?
SEIZE the OPPORTUNITY:
Sometimes, an opportunity can present itself which is totally out of the reach of your comfort zone, and which you would never think of doing. But, these kinds of events can sometimes turn into some of the most enriching and rewarding things that you could experience.
After I retired from my corporate career, I was a part-time assistant teacher. Working with 17 2nd graders certainly kept my mind, as well as my body very active; and I was enjoying the camaraderie with the other teachers, as well as the interaction with the students.
During the beginning of the fall semester, I was asked by the General Studies Principal whether I would be interested in teaching Common Core Math to the 3rd, 5th and 6th grade classes. Apparently, the regular Math Teacher was on Family Leave, and they needed someone to fill in, full-time for 3 months. I was pleasantly surprised, but I had never studied the Common Core curriculum. Additionally, taking on 3 different Math classes would certainly involve a tremendous amount of work and time on my part. However, the opportunity intrigued me, and I said that I needed a few days to think it over.
I VETTED THE OPPORTUNITY AND REACHED BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE!
One of the strengths that I had acquired during my career, and which I enjoyed immensely, was Math. I am also incredibly perseverant. After giving this a lot of thought, I realized that teaching 3 different Math classes was not going to be realistic; however, I did agree to teach the 5th grade class. I then spent many hours teaching myself the Common Core 5th Math curriculum. It was incredibly time-consuming, but very gratifying. I really felt as if my brain cells were being overly stimulated and in tremendous overdrive. After I mastered the lessons that I was going to teach, I felt a tremendous degree of accomplishment and satisfaction. And, I believed that I was doing something to allay a fear of potential cognitive decline.
I spent those 3 months doing lesson plans, and scheduling homework, and exams. In addition, I prepared all of the report cards, and participated in parent-teacher conferences. I reached way beyond my comfort zone, and I learned a great deal, as well.
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION BE HELPFUL TO YOU?
Perhaps you might be asked to do something that is way beyond what you are used to doing. Maybe you might be asked to volunteer on a new committee about which you have very little knowledge. Someone might ask you to do a presentation in front of an audience, which is something that might scare you a bit. Instead of turning down the request immediately, take a few days to think about it. Perhaps you could ‘modify’ the request a bit and morph it into something that is more reasonable for you. But, seriously, think about taking on the opportunity. It may stimulate those brain cells and open up new doors for you, too!
(Thank you to CDC – Unsplash for the photograph).