Imagine you’ve been following a customized financial plan diligently for the last decade. I say 10 years because, in my experience, most people don’t truly buckle down and take retirement planning seriously until they are about 10 years away from the milestone.

Now, imagine "the number"—the one that represents your total financial independence—has finally been reached. You’ve kept your head down, saved, and made it to the finish line. Retirement is calling you.

But for many, reaching the goal doesn't bring immediate peace; it brings a new kind of anxiety.

The Psychology of "Just One More Year"

If you are 5 to 10 years out from retirement, you might already be feeling the weight of the "transition." Suddenly, the thought of withdrawing money instead of contributing to it feels risky. You might tell yourself, "I’ll just work another year or two to play it safe".

This lingering worry is often a "black belt" habit we’ve carried since childhood. It becomes an emotional safe place, even when every financial stress test proves there is absolutely no risk of running out of money. But to find true peace, you must break the habit of worrying

The Ultimate Trade-Off

When the numbers show unequivocally that you have enough to retire, your decision comes down to a simple T-junction in the road: More Time or More Money.

• The Cost of Working Longer: If you stay in the arena just to watch the bank balance grow, the trade-off is time—precious life energy you can never regain.
• The Perspective of the Wise: When I ask clients in their 80s or 90s what they would do differently, they almost all wish they hadn't worried so much about money and had retired earlier to enjoy more time.

Choosing the Road of Abundance

A financial planner can guide you to the point of independence, but they can’t make you stop working. Whether you feel "out of sorts" without your career or fear the empty space in your calendar, the choice is ultimately yours.

Will you take the road less traveled and keep working out of outdated fears? Or will you take the road of abundance—the one that leads to more time for yourself, your loved ones, and true peace of mind?

The numbers say you're ready. Are you?