Paul Mitchell | Financial and Retirement Planning Coach
Find him here at: Your Smart Retirement Coach
Most people approaching retirement ask….
- “Do I have enough?”
- “Can I afford to stop working?”
- “How do I draw from my pensions tax-efficiently?”
These are valid and important questions. But there’s another, quieter one that often goes unspoken:
“What will I do with myself?”
And that question — more than anything to do with tax or money — is the one that makes retirement feel exciting… or terrifying.
Meet Steve: 64, Successful… and Lost
Steve had done everything right. A great career. A healthy pension pot. Debt-free. Financially speaking, he was ready to retire next year.
But when I asked him, “What do you want your retirement to look like?”
He froze.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve been so focused on getting here, I never thought about what comes next.”
That’s when we began the real planning.
Money Is Just the Start. Purpose Is the Goal.
Most people treat retirement planning like it’s just about what you’re leaving behind:
- The job
- The commute
- The pressure
But retirement is a transition — not a destination.
💡 The happiest retirees are those who:
- Know what gives them joy
- Understand what they need emotionally and socially
- Feel a sense of contribution and connection
- Structure their time with intention
And none of that comes from a pension statement.
The Emotional Traps of Retirement (and How to Avoid Them)
Retirement can trigger a surprising amount of psychological stress. Here are a few common ones:
❌ Loss of Identity
“Who am I without my job title?”
❌ Lack of Structure
“I wake up… and I’m not sure what to do.”
❌ Relationship Strains
“We’ve never spent this much time together.”
❌ Isolation
“My social life was built around work. Now it’s gone.”
🧭 Coaching helps you plan for the non-financial side of retirement that no adviser talks about.
Reflection Exercise: Your Life After Work
Take a few quiet minutes to reflect honestly:
✅ What activities give you energy?
✅ What did you love doing as a child or young adult?
✅ Who do you want to spend more time with?
✅ What legacy do you want to leave?
✅ What would make you excited to get out of bed each morning?
Now ask: Is your retirement plan built around any of these?
How Coaching Helps You Design the Life You Want (Not Just the Budget)
As a retirement coach, I don’t just look at your pension pot.
I help you:
- Design a purpose-driven lifestyle
- Create a flexible retirement timeline
- Explore passions, hobbies, second careers, or volunteering
- Identify potential pitfalls like boredom or burnout
- Build a rhythm and structure into your days
- Align your money with your meaning
We look beyond spreadsheets. We look at what you want your life to feel like.
Real Coaching Insight
“I thought I was supposed to just relax and do nothing,” said Sandra, 61.
“But after a few weeks, I was climbing the walls. Coaching helped me realise that I need to stay mentally engaged — and that’s okay.”
She now tutors online part-time, volunteers at a community kitchen, and still takes time to travel.
She didn’t need more money. She needed a new vision.
You Don’t Have to Know Exactly What You Want — That’s What Coaching Is For
Many clients come to me saying:
- “I feel weird talking about this stuff.”
- “Isn’t retirement supposed to be easy?”
- “I’m grateful… but kind of lost.”
That’s normal. You’re not broken. You’re human.
And this is a massive life transition — emotionally, socially, and mentally.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Coaching Call
If you’re over 55 and wondering not just when to retire, but how to live after you do — let’s talk.
I’ll help you connect the financial with the emotional… and start building a retirement that actually fits who you are.
🔗 Book your free 15-minute consultation
Disclaimer
These insights provide strategic coaching perspectives. This is NOT regulated financial advice. Individual circumstances vary, and it is crucial to consult qualified financial professionals for specific financial guidance.
Individual cases are illustrative and not predictive of future results. Actual savings and support needs will differ based on personal financial situations.
About the Author
Paul Mitchell is a dedicated Financial and Retirement Coach (Qualified To Chartered Financial Planner status) with over 35 years of experience in financial services. Through Your Smart Retirement Coach, he helps clients build confidence in their financial future and create fulfilling retirement lifestyles. As a retirement transition coach, I’m committed to empowering investors with knowledge, perspective, and strategic support.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to start your journey toward financial clarity.
