The Lazy Person's Guide to Happiness

by: Ernie J. Zelinski

Purpose enough for satisfaction

Work enough for sustenance

Sanity enough to know when to play and rest

Wealth enough for basic needs

Affection enough to like many and love a few

Self-respect enough to love yourself

Charity enough to give to others in need

Courage enough to face difficulties

Creativity enough to solve problems

Humor enough to laugh at will

Hope enough to expect an interesting tomorrow

Health enough to enjoy life for all it's worth

Gratitude enough to appreciate what you have

when you start thinking about retirement...

by Ernie J. Zelinski

To best prepare for your retirement (any time) :-

1. Establish a good work/life balance many years before you retire and zealously maintain it.

2. If you work at a regular job, refrain from working on weekends.

3. Do as much as you can to maintain optimum health while you are working.

4. Be open to learning new things at work and in your personal life.

5. Read Barbara Sher's It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at Any Age.

6. Have a major life purpose other than your work.

7. Develop close friendship outside your workplace.

8. Maintain that is, don't neglect your true friendships so that they are still thriving when you retire.

9. Learn how to handle freedom-one good way is to become self-employed for at least a year or two before retirement.

10. Accept that money may buy you style and comfort, but it won't buy you happiness.

11. Spend a lot of time alone while learning how to enjoy solitude.

12. Indulge in regular strenuous excercise so that you will be physically fit and able to enjoy retirement activities.

13. Take all your paid vacation time so that you learn how to be more leisurely.

14. Travel a lot - people who don't get to enjoy travel before retirement seldom develop a liking for it after retirement.

15. Don't tie your identity to your job.

16. Find many ways to connect with the world.

17. Regularly take a day off work and ensure that you loaf it all away to experience what it's like to be a member of the leisure class.

18. Take a preretirement course that deals with the personal issues as well as the financial issues.

19. Above all, don't put off being happy until you retire:the ability to be happy before you retire - regardless of your financial circumstances - is the key to having a happy retirement.