Rethinking Retirement: How to Plan Your “Future Life”
When it comes to my life changes over the past year, I’ve been asked why I use the term “Future Life” rather than retirement.
Well, firstly, talking about retirement when I’m still relatively young at 49 years of age seems wrong!
And secondly, while I have no further ambition to build businesses, I’m enjoying spending some of my time mentoring, and doing advisory and Non-Executive Director (NED) roles.
But I can’t take credit for the phrase “future life”, as that phrase was gifted to me by the wonderful Chris Brown.
Future Life – Rethinking Retirement
Back in October 2025, just as I’d stepped away from work, my good friend Dave Algeo introduced me to author, speaker and coach, Chris Brown.
Chris had just finished writing a draft of his new book on retirement, and kindly asked me if I’d like to read a copy and give him feedback on it.
When talking about retirement, most people focus on the financial preparation. But Chris’s book focuses on the life that follows retirement and how to design it for success and happiness.
This book came at exactly the right time for me — like it was meant to be! I found Chris’s book an incredibly valuable piece of the puzzle for starting my new phase.
And Chris’s book has now been published for everyone to read!
Rethinking Retirement So Your Future Life Works For You
From Scary to Fun. Rethinking retirement so your future life works for you by Chris Brown is now available on Amazon.
This book shows you how to create a Future Life that energises, inspires and fulfils you.
- Escape the outdated retirement script
- Design a Future Life that genuinely excites you
- Turn uncertainty into possibility, energy and purpose
- Replace quiet worries with clarity, curiosity and fun
You can also check out the accompanying website to the book at www.chrisbrownfuturelife.com
Conclusion
Resources on retirement typically focus on how to achieve the financial security to step away from work.
But once you’ve taken that step, how do you make sure you enjoy a Future Life that makes you really happy?
When I made the decision to step away from work at 49, I didn’t think of it as retirement. I now refer to it as my “future life”.
Chris Brown’s book captures the concept perfectly. From Scary to Fun is a guide for anyone who wants the next chapter to be intentional, fulfilling, and truly their own. It’s not about stopping – it’s about choosing what comes next with purpose and curiosity. Chris takes the fear and uncertainty out of the transition and replaces it with practical reflection, warmth and hope.
If you’re considering retirement or a change in work circumstances in the near future, I’d highly recommend that you read it too.
