The Final Countdown

With the month of June starting on Saturday, it has been hitting home even more that my career in education and activities is winding down and that life as I have known it is about to change in a large way. The instructional coaching/teaching side of my work has wrapped up and I have been blessed with some really humbling and greatly appreciated words and gifts from my colleagues. My principal had a good reflection at one of our gatherings and mentioned that everyone at some point will hit the retirement plateau and these events are always good times for others to reflect on their own journeys and are they on the path that they really want to be on.

I can definitely say I did not spend enough time during my career “beginning with the end in mind” but definitely have very few regrets about how things have turned out. Most people are aware that I originally went to school to become a meteorologist (still love the weather) and found out quickly that high level math and science were not my thing. Fortunately, I took a basic education class at Morningside early on and the professor (Dr. Sharon Ocker-amazing teacher and athletics supporter in Sioux City) heard me give a presentation in class and asked after that what my career path was. When I said I didn’t know any more, he said, “you do a great job in front of people and have excellent rapport with the class-you should be a teacher and a coach.” Here I am, all these years later, ready to retire, after a long and productive career! Thank you Dr. Ocker and I wouldn’t change a thing!

I am truly thankful to have worked with amazing people throughout my career including colleagues who have become great friends as well as awesome students and athletes who made coming to work every day. I still have a few more weeks of athletic director work remaining as well as another retirement celebration but these weeks will go fast.

After talking to a number of retirees, the two things that keep coming up as struggles they have had in retirement are keeping up relationships with people without daily contacts and finding a purpose for their lives without the daily routine associated with working. Finding ways to keep connections to people going forward is a very real concern and I will need to be intentional about staying in touch.

I have also been putting in a lot of time working on “what is next,” and what my purpose will be after June 30. I’m not going to bore you with any details at this point as not everything is finalized yet, but my goal is to give back to the many areas I have worked with throughout my career and impact people in a positive way. I am reading a great book by Joshua Medcalf called Chop Wood, Carry Water and one of the themes of the book is that our value comes not from what we do but who we are. We should never be definied by our work, but instead on the type of person we are, how we treat people, I have always believed this to be true and it will definitely continue to be a focus going forward.

Most of you reading this are still involved in your careers and have a day of retirement still to come. If that day would be coming this year, are you ready-have you accomplished all that you have wanted to-would you have any regrets? For those already retired-do you have a purpose? What gets you up in the morning and gives your life meaning? I would love to hear where you are at in your process! Have a great week!

Coach K