Preferment: Embracing a Life You Prefer Instead of Retiring from It

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what retirement really means?

We’ve been told that the ultimate goal is to work hard, save up, and then—one day—retire. But the more I see people reaching that stage, the more I realize that very few are actually thriving in retirement. Instead, many seem to slow down, fade into routine, and wait for life to happen to them rather than with them.

That’s why I want to introduce a new concept: Preferment.

It’s about living life on your own terms, not just stepping away from work but stepping into the life you truly prefer.

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An Epiphany at 30,000 Feet

The idea of preferment hit me unexpectedly through a story my husband shared. He was on a flight and struck up a conversation with an older woman—a woman I know I would have absolutely loved.

She and I had so much in common:

• She and her husband had the same 14-year age gap that my husband and I do.
• She had built successful businesses alongside her husband, just like we have.
• And most importantly—she wasn’t retired in the traditional sense.

Instead of slowing down and settling into a predictable routine, she was out exploring, trying new things, and embracing life as if she hadn’t retired at all. She called it living a life of Preferment—a life designed around what she wants to do, not what society tells her she should do after a certain age.

And let me tell you, that word hit me like a lightning bolt.

Retirement vs. Preferment: The Choice We Often Overlook

I am 54 years old, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: Life isn’t about slowing down just because you hit a certain milestone. Yes, I’ve had my fair share of successes and setbacks. I’ve learned, I’ve built, I’ve evolved. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to sit back and just watch life go by.

I’ve got another 50 years to live, and I plan on making the most of every single one.

Why should retirement mean disengaging from what lights you up? Who says it has to look like long afternoons in a recliner, waiting for something to catch your interest on TV? (And hey, no offense if that’s your thing—everyone’s idea of preferment looks different!)

But for me? Preferment means:
– Continuing to contribute in ways that excite and challenge me.
– Finding new ways to inspire and uplift others.
– Taking every experience—good and bad—and using it to fuel my next chapter.

Living Life on Your Terms

Preferment isn’t about grinding yourself into exhaustion. It’s about designing a life that aligns with what you want, whether that’s traveling, starting a new business, mentoring others, or finally diving into passions you never had time for.

This shift in perspective is everything. It means that instead of stepping away from purpose, you’re stepping toward more of it.

What Does Preferment Look Like for You?

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For years, we box ourselves into routines, responsibilities, and expectations—often without questioning whether they truly serve us. But real freedom isn’t just about having fewer obligations; it’s about shedding the pressure to meet external standards and finally living on your own terms. And when that moment comes—especially at a certain stage in life—why not fully embrace it?

Yet, so many people hesitate. They fear how it might look, the judgment of their peers, or even the opinions of younger generations about what is or isn’t “age-appropriate.” But if you don’t live your life, who will? Do what excites you and let the rest be just that—opinions. Because that’s all they are. Real life isn’t shaped by what others think; it’s shaped by what you do.

Maybe that means finally taking that safari you’ve dreamed about for decades, just because you can. Dressing up and feeling your best, not for an occasion, but because you deserve it. Trying that Zumba class you’ve been too shy to join, just for the fun of it. Retirement isn’t just an end; it’s an opening. It’s the chance to finally do what excites you, to live with intention rather than obligation, and to shape your days in a way that brings you joy and to choose how you spend your days rather than letting them be dictated for you.

However it looks, I hope you give yourself permission to prefer your life—not just retire from it.

So tell me, does this idea of preferment resonate with you? Because if it does, I think you and I have a lot to talk about!