A phrase highly reminiscent of a Michael Franks tune is the perfect description of someone who is on the borderline of what I'd call "technical retirement" and yet, not being fully prepared for retirement in its totality.  "All dressed up but nowhere to go" is that frantic state wherein one reaches the retirement mark as outlined by the office/company parameters and yet, failing to plan out the next step(s).

This is where a retirement strategist comes in.  In the US, they call folks like me, a Retirement Coach.  I like the term Retirement Strategist much better.  I used to be a Media Strategist (still am by way of consultancy) so shifting to being a Retirement Strategist is much better.  What does a Retirement Strategist do anyway?  Well, he/she is supposed to help chart out a person's retirement especially, the non-financial aspects of it.

My favorite dentist, Doc Gina, commented in my last post, "How'd you friggin retire so early?  You're younger than I am".  Folks, retirement is not just having your retirement fund in place and going around the world on a cruise.  The whole concept of retirement has changed over the past few years as we stepped into the new millenium.  The amazing thing is that in today's retirement scenario, the financial aspects only constitute 15% of the entire subject matter.  The rest of the issues are non-financial in nature.  These are issues which cannot be answered by your financial planner, insurance agent, or banker.

I was reminded of this phrase as an ex-colleague and I (someone who also slipped out of advertising agency life for a "life-redirection") were chatting over some luscious crepes.  The guy talks about another ex-colleague who recently hit the retirement mark and yet with all her money stashed away, is only beginning to rediscover the next step.  Proof of the thesis that you can be technically retired but unprepared for this phase in life.

As it was, we could best describe the situation as being "All dressed up but nowhere to go". 

"All dressed up but nowhere to go" is just another form of being....blindsided.