Beyond your career
After years of focusing on professional goals, the question naturally shifts to, "What's next for me?" This article offers a framework for thinking about how to make that future your most fulfilling chapter yet.
Transitioning from your primary career to the next step is a significant milestone. It’s a time for reflection on what you’ve done to this point and an opportunity to look forward to what’s next. As focus shifts from the day-to-day of your career, you get to design the future you’ve always wanted. Whether that means shifting to part-time work, starting a new business, or dedicating more time to a passion project, it’s a time to re-evaluate and ensure your financial plan is aligned to support that vision.
What does this next chapter look like to you?
Everyone lives their life in a deeply personal way, and this next transition is no different. The idea of simply “stopping work” doesn't capture what retirement means for most people. The important question is: What do you want your life to be? Is it a time for new adventures, for deepening connections with family, or for exploring long-held interests? Your answer is the blueprint for your future.
Navigating life’s rebalancing
For decades, a career provides a certain rhythm to life—a structure, a routine, and a sense of identity.
My view is that you don’t need a plan so much as a balanced routine that is adaptive to your life now and as it evolves over time.
As that rhythm changes, a natural process of rebalancing begins in terms of your time, energy, mindset and focus. Experience shows that replacing such a dominant force with new routines, social connections, and personal goals can be a gradual process, and for some, feel quite overwhelming. This transition is the epitome of “one size does not fit all,” as each person’s answer is uniquely their own. A solid financial foundation provides the stability and confidence to navigate this change, allowing you to freely explore new hobbies, build new routines, and strengthen the relationships that matter most.
The timeless pillars of a well-lived life
When you look at what makes a life truly rich, it often comes down to a few simple, powerful truths. Experience shows that a deep sense of fulfillment is built on these timeless pillars:
- Nurturing your relationships. The ability to support family and create lasting memories is what gives wealth its deepest meaning.
- Engaging your passions. Having the freedom to pursue the activities, travel, and interests that bring you joy is what makes every day meaningful.
- Planning your adventures. A life filled with anticipation for future goals—like a special family milestone or a new home—is a life filled with optimism.
Ultimately, this chapter of life is defined by the freedom to be intentional. It’s the time to consciously build your days around these timeless pillars, using the experience and wisdom you've gained to create a life that is, in every sense, truly your own.
This report has been prepared by ATB Investment Management Inc. (ATBIM). ATBIM is registered as a Portfolio Manager across various Canadian securities commissions with the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) being its principal regulator. ATBIM is also registered as an Investment Fund Manager who manages the ATB Funds, Compass Portfolios and the ATBIS Pools. ATBIM is a wholly owned subsidiary of ATB Financial and is a licensed user of the registered trademark ATB Wealth.
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