When people ask me about how I am coping with retirement, I often say I’m doing well and list off the things I am doing to stay busy, such as cycling, swimming, gardening, and taking care of our home. Each day starts with a to-do list that is extensive. It has come to my attention in the last couple of weeks that this focus on what I do in retirement represents an old mindset. You are what you do. I thought I had moved away from this ancient belief system, but somehow it stills lurks inside of me.

So, I began to ponder what made this creep into my retirement? Straight up fear. Fear of becoming lazy. Fear of becoming irrelevant. Fear of living without purpose. Fear of losing my identity as a doer. Fear of not being worthy. Straight up fear. In conversation with my wife about letting go of doing, I heard myself say in a horrified voice, “What if I play games on my phone or read books all day?” Her response was a very calm, “Then you do. Maybe it is what you need to do.” I’m pretty sure I looked at her as though she was totally insane. But she went a step further. She challenged me to spend the month of August only doing things I felt like doing. She assured me she understood I would still have my usual responsibilities around our home. But even if those do not get done, we will do them together at night. She is sweet, but I’m convinced she is totally around the bend.

And so, my dear readers, I agreed to this crazy idea and accepted the August challenge. I have committed to spending August doing things that “feel right”. And obviously, one of those things that felt right was writing this blog post about the August challenge.

For years, I have given my clients and readers permission to shift and transform as a part of their personal growth experience. I have always believed we have the untapped potential to see ourselves and others differently. The August challenge is my opportunity to do that on a deep level. So, I ask you to consider what small or large way do you want to challenge yourself this August? Stay tuned for updates.