Planning a Happy and Healthy Retirement

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I started using Simon Sinek's Golden Circle when I worked and have continued to use it throughout my 15 years of retirement. I use it to create a Vision Board for the coming year and its fun to go through the process. But, more important almost all the 'goals' come true. 

This short video is of simon explaining why Apple are such a successful company.



Planning a Purposeful Life in Your Senior Years: Using Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle

As we move into our later years, life becomes less about rushing and more about choosing. Choosing what matters. Choosing how we spend our time. Choosing the people, activities, and routines that bring meaning, joy, and connection.

Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle—a simple but powerful model built around three words, Why, How, and What—offers seniors a wonderfully clear way to plan and organise life with purpose. It helps cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

Let’s explore how this model can support seniors in shaping a life that feels intentional, energising, and deeply fulfilling.

1. Start With WHY: The Heart of Your Life

Sinek says that great leaders and great organisations always start with WHY—their purpose, cause, or belief. For seniors, this is a beautiful invitation to pause and reflect.

What is your WHY at this stage of life?

It might be:

  • Staying healthy and active so you can enjoy time with family
  • Sharing your wisdom and helping others
  • Exploring new hobbies and interests
  • Building deeper social connections
  • Finding peace, balance, and wellbeing
  • Having fun and embracing joy every day

Your WHY doesn’t need to be grand. It just needs to be true.

How seniors can uncover their WHY

Try asking yourself:

  • What gives me energy
  • What do I look forward to
  • What do I want more of in my life
  • What values matter most to me now

Write your WHY in one simple sentence. This becomes your compass.

2. Define HOW: Your Personal Principles and Routines

Once you know your WHY, the next step is HOW—the habits, behaviours, and approaches that help you live your purpose.

Examples of HOW for seniors

If your WHY is staying connected, your HOW might include:

  • Saying yes to social invitations
  • Scheduling weekly calls with family
  • Joining a club, group, or class

If your WHY is staying active, your HOW might be:

  • Walking every morning
  • Doing gentle strength exercises
  • Playing pickleball or bowls
  • Keeping movement fun and social

If your WHY is lifelong learning, your HOW could involve:

  • Reading daily
  • Taking online courses
  • Attending talks, workshops, or museum visits

Your HOW is where purpose becomes practice.

3. Clarify WHAT: The Activities, Plans, and Actions

Finally, the WHAT is the visible part of your life—the things you actually do.

This is where planning and organising become simple, because your WHAT is now guided by your WHY and HOW.

Examples of WHAT

  • A weekly schedule that includes movement, social time, and rest
  • A list of hobbies you want to try
  • A monthly outing plan—galleries, theatre, gardens, sports
  • A volunteering commitment
  • A tech-learning routine to stay confident and connected
  • A wellbeing checklist you follow each morning

The WHAT becomes meaningful because it’s anchored in purpose.

Putting It All Together: A Senior-Friendly Golden Circle Template

Here’s a simple version seniors can use:

WHY

My purpose at this stage of life is to…

HOW

I will live this purpose by…

WHAT

The activities and routines I will commit to are…

This can be printed, pinned to the fridge, or added to a wellbeing journal.

Why the Golden Circle Works So Well for Seniors

  • It reduces overwhelm by focusing on what matters most
  • It builds confidence by turning purpose into simple steps
  • It supports wellbeing through clarity and intention
  • It encourages joy by aligning life with personal values
  • It helps with planning—from daily routines to big adventures

Most importantly, it reminds seniors that life is still full of possibility, growth, and meaning.

A Final Thought

The Golden Circle isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about rediscovering yourself—your passions, your strengths, your joys—and organising your life around them.

When seniors start with WHY, they don’t just plan their days. They shape a life that feels purposeful, connected, and wonderfully their own.



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