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 Hey Mindsetters! TGIF and welcome to The Retired Mindset’s second rendition of Five Minute Friday! 

Podcast Host, Bob Preston, shares his biggest surprise about retirement —  it’s harder than it seems. Most of us spend years dreaming about retirement: freedom, travel, long mornings, no deadlines. But when it finally arrives, you realize… this is a massive life shift: one that touches your identity, your routine, and your sense of purpose. 

Main Reflection
For decades, work gave Bob structure, direction, accountability, and even self-worth. He didn’t realize how much of who he was was tied to that professional identity until it was gone. 

 And he learned something: you can’t just subtract work. You have to replace it with something meaningful. 

Personal Story / Turning Point
It took me a good six months to find my footing. He started paying attention to what gave him energy — what made him feel alive, curious, and connected.
And for Bob, that meant three things: 

1. Giving back — donating my time as an advocate and ambassador.
2. Mountain life — living part-time in the Eastern Sierra and skiing as much as I can (without going full-on ski bum).
3. Storytelling — creating, sharing, and connecting through The Retired Mindset.

Insight / Lesson
It’s not just about staying busy — retirement is about redefining success.
In your career, success is measurable: goals hit, deals closed, teams led.
In retirement, it’s quieter. It’s found in peace of mind, connection, giving back, and learning something new.

That’s the real growth in retirement — learning to slow down without losing purpose,  to enjoy the moment without needing constant validation,
and to stay curious about what’s next, even when there’s no formal roadmap.

Wrap-Up / Close
So yeah, it’s hard. But it’s also one of the most rewarding journeys you will ever take.  Retirement isn’t an ending — it’s an evolution. Give yourself grace. Stay curious. Keep exploring.  Because the best version of yourself? It hasn’t retired at all — it’s just getting started.

Key Takeaways 

• Retirement is a significant identity shift, not just a lifestyle change.
• You don’t just lose a job — you lose structure, community, and rhythm.
• The secret is to replace work with something meaningful that gives you purpose and energy.
• Redefine success — it’s now about peace, connection, and curiosity, not performance metrics.
• Give yourself time and grace — your next chapter might just be your best yet.

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.