I recently came across a book called 'The Joy of Not Working' by Ernie Zelinski (Ten Speed Press, 2003) which has apparently revolutionised the lives of a number of its readers through its advice on how to achieve a better work-life balance.

Thanks to our Protestant forefathers the work ethic is still strong in our culture. To many people, leisure represents idleness and a waste of time. Some even believe that if they work longer hours they will be held in higher regard by their colleagues and by society.

Many dual income couples work long hours, not because they have to but as a way of avoiding the turmoil of family life. The combination of these factors means that during their working lives, many people have a narrow focus of just work and family. That's fine until they reach a time in their lives when they are no longer working. These people don't know how to use their leisure time without feeling worthless or bored and they struggle to enjoy themselves on low or no income. To be well prepared for not working, you need to start developing many interests and enjoying leisure while you are still in the workforce.

Let's consider retirement a little more closely. Zelinski writes about a survey done recently which indicated that just before retirement, people's biggest concerns were finances, health and having a spouse or friend to share retirement. Shortly after retirement, health was considered to be the top priority and finances moved to third place. Although the expected income remained the same, retirees realised that they could maintain financial independence simply because they could get by with much less than they first imagined. Many financial advisers paint a picture of a penniless and destitute retirement for those without large amounts of money saved. Unfortunately they emphasise higher earnings instead of lower spending as the key to having sufficient money to retire.

The people most likely to enjoy their retirement are those who have prepared for it both financially and psychologically, and who view it as a whole new life or a continuation of life as it was. If you didn't learn how to live before you were 65, it's hard to learn how to live afterwards. Here are some tips to help you plan for a happy retirement:

• Accept that money won't buy you happiness
• Establish a good work/life balance many years before you retire
• Look after your health and physical fitness while you are working
• Have a major life purpose other than your work
• Develop close friendships outside of your workplace
• Learn how to enjoy being on your own
• Take leisurely holidays during your working life so you know how to relax
• Travel a lot to broaden your horizons
• Have a happy positive attitude before you retire - don't see retirement as the key to happiness

Retirement could well represent 25 percent or more of your life. Why leave it to chance?

Article by Liz Koh

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