In the dramatic countdowns of ’60s and ’70s space missions, mission control meticulously checked every system before launch. It was to make sure they every critical system was working properly. As I approach my own countdown ‘T-8’ mark to retirement, it’s time for a similar, honest systems check: Am I truly ‘All Systems Go’

I have never been process or system-oriented; I tend to fly a little bit by the seat of my pants. I would say I am unstructured at best. That likely would not have worked for the Apollo missions, and it likely won’t work for retirement either.

I read articles and listen to podcasts about having a system—a plan you execute on autopilot, without thought. Something easy with no resistance that you just do. In James Clear’s Atomic Habits, he uses the example of placing his sneakers and workout clothes by the bed, with the workout equipment in the basement. When he wakes up, there’s no excuse not to exercise; no resistance.

There’s another quote from John C. Maxwell that I like about systems: “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

Both James and John focus on my favorite word “Do”.

The Maxwell quote hit me pretty hard because, for me, it’s true. I take from it that I need a daily structure. Period. I am an all-or-nothing type of guy. A stretching routine four days a week? Never going to happen. Do it seven times a week? I can do that. I find it just easier if its every day.

I have to say I’ve craved a better structure in my life. One instance comes to mind from the COVID years. I remember taking the dog out to pee in the morning at 6:30. Like clockwork, my neighbor would be pulling out of his driveway and going to work. I was weirdly jealous. I wanted it to be me—to be that repeatable every day for the 20 years that I’ve seen him drive off. He had a system.

I think that to plan a successful launch into retirement, emotionally, I need to have a system in place. I always agree with the system strategy when I read about it, but to be honest, I haven’t put it into practice. I need to. My self-confessed momentum issue is hard to break. A system is needed

So, at T-8 to launch, I thought I would list the systems I need in place to retire, with a current honest grade to see where I stand.

• Spouse (Mission Control) on board – B I have advertised my date but haven’t gotten the head nod from Padme yet. Not a no, but not a definite yes. Further open conversations need to be had. I can see she doesn’t think it’s real.
• Physical Fitness (Engines) – C On and off this month and not what I would describe as regular.
• Hobbies 1 – B+ Started this writing thing on a fairly regular basis. It’s a B+ as I’m at 20K published words. Hopefully they were good 🙂
• Hobbies 2 – F Need to find a second hobby like guitar. It may be hard while working. Winter is coming, so maybe there will be more time.
• Social Life – C+ I was stronger until I started to get deeper into work. It has fallen off since then.
• Health – F Need to go to the doctor to get physical therapy started on my knee. It needs to happen as my knee is getting worse.
• Stop Social Media Habit – F Still rabbit-holing on the internet for no reason several hours a day.
• Proactive Plans with Kids – D- Need to get closer to my kids and do one-on-one activities while they are still in the house.
• Connect with a Tribe – B Reviewing which Camp FI to go to in the spring. Have not committed yet but getting close.
• Money – B+ Last for a reason, as it likely doesn’t matter as much. We will hit my milestone goal by next June, as long as no unforeseen job loss happens to Padme or myself. However, my longer goal is to have the nest egg invested for retirement. Right now, I am too conservative – B+.

Overall Grade – C

So, aside from money and this writing habit, I can’t say “All systems go.” For me to launch successfully, I need to actively work on some of the holes in my plan above.

No one wants to see the rocket fail on the launch pad. Especially not me.