Stop Planning, Start Doing: Make Your Year of Retirement Action

Surcon Mahoney Wealth Management

Helping Canadians build financial clarity and long‑term confidence through thoughtful guidance and personalized wealth strategies.

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If you’re like many people I talk to retirement planning has been on your mental to-do list for…Six months? A year? Maybe longer?
You know you should do it. You genuinely intend to do it. But somehow it keeps getting pushed to “next month” or “after things settle down” or “when I have more time to really focus on it.”
And I say this because I see it all the time. People aren’t avoiding retirement planning because they’re lazy or irresponsible. They’re avoiding it because:

• It feels so far away. Why stress about something that’s years down the road when you have real problems to deal with today?
• They don’t like thinking about it. Retirement planning means confronting aging, change, and an uncertain future. That’s uncomfortable.
• They don’t feel old enough. You’re still in your prime, still feeling vital. Planning for retirement feels like admitting you’re getting old, and you’re not ready for that.
• They have no idea where to start. The whole thing feels overwhelming—so many moving parts, so many decisions. When something feels that big, it’s easier to do nothing.

Sound familiar?
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: while you’re waiting for the “right time” to start, time keeps moving. And when it comes to retirement, standing still isn’t neutral. It actually costs you real time, real opportunities, and gradually limits your options.
Come As You Are (Not As You Think You Should Be)
Remember the Nirvana song, “Come As You Are”? It’s opening lyrics perfectly captures what I want to say to everyone who’s been putting off retirement planning —“Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be.”
Kurt Cobain was singing about acceptance and showing up authentically, but it also applies to retirement planning.
Here’s what I hear all the time:

• “I’ll start planning when I’m closer to retirement”

• “I need to understand more first”

• “I’ll do it when I feel ready”

• “I should wait until I feel old enough to take this seriously”

• “Once I figure out where to start, then I’ll begin”

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to wait until you’re closer, older, more knowledgeable, or completely ready.
You just need to come as you are. Right now. Today.
You don’t need to have read every retirement book. You don’t need to become a financial expert. You don’t need to wait until retirement feels “real” or urgent. You don’t need to have zero doubts or complete certainty. You don’t even need to know where to start.
You just need to be willing to take the first step—as imperfect, uncertain, and unprepared as you might feel.
Confused? Overwhelmed? Feeling too young for this? No idea where to start? Still think retirement is far away? Come as you are.
Because waiting until you feel “ready” is just another form of procrastination. And while you’re waiting, time keeps moving.
Why We Keep Putting It Off
Some of the smartest, most capable people I know—folks who’ve successfully navigated entire careers, raised families, made countless major decisions—suddenly become master procrastinators when retirement enters the conversation.
Retirement planning sits in this weird space of being incredibly important but not urgently pressing. There’s no deadline breathing down your neck. It’s one of those big, important things that can always wait one more month.
And let’s be honest: retirement planning makes us think about getting older. It forces us to confront that our careers will end, that life has phases. When you’re still feeling vital and energetic, that’s uncomfortable. Plus, it feels overwhelming—where do you even start?
So we tell ourselves:

• “I’ve got time”

• “I’ll deal with it when I’m closer”

• “I need to do more research first”

But here’s what happens: people wait and wait. Then suddenly they’re 5 years out, then 2 years out—and they’re scrambling to make decisions that would have been so much easier with more runway.
The overwhelm you’re avoiding by not planning is actually creating more stress than facing it would.
While you’re waiting for retirement to feel “real”:
- Your options are slowly narrowing
- Your flexibility to course-correct is decreasing
- That low-grade anxiety about “am I going to be okay?” is affecting your wellbeing *right
now*
The people who successfully retire aren’t the ones who waited until they felt completely ready. They’re the ones who came as they were—uncertain, imperfect, and still learning—and started anyway.

The Four Things That Actually Move the Needle

Forget the overwhelming 47-step retirement checklist. If you’re ready to actually make progress this year, let’s focus on four key areas. Each one requires you to actually *do* something, not just think about doing something.
And remember: you can do these things right now, exactly as you are, without waiting to feel more prepared.
1. Figure Out What You’re Actually Retiring To (Not Just From)
Most retirement planning gets obsessed with one big question: “Do I have enough money?”
But honestly? That’s the second question. The first one is: “Enough for *what*?”
You can’t build a retirement plan that actually means something without knowing what you’re retiring to. Not just what you’re escaping from—though let’s be honest, we all have those Monday mornings where we dream about that—but what you’re moving *toward*.
This takes some real thinking:

• What does a great week actually look like for you? And I don’t mean vacation week—I mean a regular Tuesday in retirement. How are you spending your time?  What gets you out of bed in the morning?

• What’s absolutely non-negotiable for you? Maybe it’s living near your grandkids, keeping your gym membership, or having the freedom to travel whenever you want.  What are your must-haves?

• What’s your relationship with work, really? Are you completely done, or would you actually enjoy consulting here and there, volunteering, or finally pursuing that passion project you’ve been putting off? A lot of people discover they don’t actually want full retirement—they just want freedom from obligation, not from purpose entirely.

• How do you define a successful retirement? Is it adventure? Peace and quiet? Leaving a legacy? Creative expression? Giving back? Your answer to this shapes literally everything else.

And here’s where “come as you are” really matters: You don’t need to have this all perfectly figured out. You don’t need to wait until you’re older and it feels more “real” to start thinking about this. Your retirement vision doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—it just has to be true to who you actually are right now.
Your action step: Block out two hours sometime this month—I mean actually put it on your calendar—and write down your retirement vision. Get specific. Describe your ideal day, your ideal week, your ideal year. And here’s the key: don’t filter yourself with “but is this realistic?” or “but that’s so far away.” Just capture what you actually *want*. You can realitycheck it later, but you can’t plan for a destination you’ve never even defined.
Come as you are. Even if retirement feels distant. Even if you’re not sure. Even if you feel too young for this. Just start where you are.
2. Know Where You Actually Stand (No More “Probably Fine”)

Look, “I think we’re probably okay” is not a financial plan. It’s a hope wearing a business
suit.
You need real numbers. Not guesses, not assumptions, not “we should be fine.” Actual
projections based on your specific situation:

• What you’ve saved and how it’s invested

• What you’ll get from Social Security or your pension

• What you’ll realistically spend in retirement

• Your healthcare costs and insurance strategy

• Your tax situation and withdrawal approach

• Your estate and legacy plans

Now, I’m not saying you need to predict the future with crystal-ball accuracy—that’s impossible and honestly, a bit silly. But you do need to replace that nagging, anxiety producing uncertainty with clear, actionable information.
Think of it like getting a full health checkup. You might find out you’re in fantastic shape, which feels amazing and reassuring. Or you might discover a few areas that need attention, which gives you time to actually address them before they become bigger issues. Either way, knowing is way better than wondering.
And here’s the thing: you don’t need to become a financial genius to do this. You don’t need to wait until you “understand everything.” You don’t need to feel old enough or close enough to retirement for this to matter.
Come as you are—whether you’re a spreadsheet wizard or someone who’s always found numbers intimidating. Whether retirement feels far away or around the corner. Whether you think you’re in good shape or worried you’re behind. Just come as you are and get the real picture.
Once you have real numbers, retirement stops feeling like this vague, distant concept and becomes something concrete you can actually plan for. And often, people discover they’re in better shape than they feared—which immediately reduces that background anxiety.
Your action step: If you don’t have a real, comprehensive retirement projection, make getting one your goal for this quarter. This is literally the foundation everything else is built on. If you’d like help with this, I’d be happy to walk you through it—that’s exactly what I do. You can reach out anytime to schedule a conversation.
You don’t need to have all your questions answered first. You don’t need to be an expert. Come as you are, and we’ll figure it out together.

3. Test Drive Your Retirement (Yes, Really!)

Here’s where most retirement planning completely falls apart: it lives entirely in spreadsheets and hypothetical scenarios. People retire based on projections they’ve never actually tested in real life.
Would you buy a house without walking through it first? Would you accept a job without understanding what you’d actually be doing? Of course not! So why would you retire without testing whether your plan actually works in reality?
The Money Test: If your projections say you’ll live on $6,000 a month in retirement, try living on exactly that amount for 6-12 months while you’re still working. Set aside everything above that threshold. This will reveal whether your spending projection is realistic and how it *feels* to live on a fixed income—which is psychologically very different from having a paycheck.
The Lifestyle Test: If possible, take extended time away from work to experience “pretend retirement.” Don’t treat it like vacation—build a routine, find activities that engage you, and notice what you miss about work (if anything). Some people discover retirement is more fulfilling than expected. Others realize they need a “portfolio life” with volunteer work, consulting, or creative projects.
You can do this even if retirement feels far away. In fact, testing earlier gives you more time to adjust. Come as you are—whether retirement is 10 years away or 2 years away.
Your action step: Starting next month, commit to living on your projected retirement budget for at least 90 days. Track every single expense. At the end, compare what you projected to what actually happened, and adjust accordingly. And if you can possibly swing extended time off work, schedule it for this year—even if retirement itself is still several years away.

4. Get Professional Support for Your Journey

The people who successfully transition to retirement usually work with someone who can guide them. Not because they’re not smart enough, but because retirement planning isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about judgment, experience, and accountability.
Working with me, you get:
A starting point: I’ll show you exactly where to begin based on your specific situation. No more paralysis from overwhelm.
Customization: Generic advice can’t account for your specific tax situation, employer benefits, health considerations, or what actually matters to you.
Objective perspective: I can spot blind spots and ask questions you haven’t considered.
Experience: I’ve guided many people through this transition. I know what works, what doesn’t, and where people typically stumble.
Momentum: Working together creates structure and forward movement. No more “I’ll get to it next month.”
Making it real: When retirement feels far away, it’s easy to keep postponing. Professional guidance makes it concrete and replaces anxiety with clarity.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before we talk. Come as you are—with your questions, concerns, and uncertainty.
Your action step: If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about your retirement timeline, let’s talk. I offer initial conversations where we can discuss your situation, answer your questions, and figure out if working together makes sense. No pressure, no obligation—just clarity. You can reach out through my website or give me a call.
What “I’ll Do It Later” Actually Costs You
Every month you delay has real consequences:

• Time gets tighter: Adjustments that are easy with 5 years become painful with 6 months.
• Missed opportunities: You might be able to retire sooner than you think, but you won’t know until you do the math.
• Your health won’t wait: The retirement you could enjoy at 62 might not be available at 68.
• Compounding anxiety: That low-grade stress of “am I going to be okay?” affects your wellbeing right now.
• The illusion of time: Retirement might feel far away, but it arrives faster than you expect.

How to Make 2026 Actually Different

Here’s what separates people who successfully retire from those who stay stuck in “I’ll get to
it eventually” mode:
They come as they are. They don’t wait to feel ready, old enough, knowledgeable enough, or certain enough. They start where they are—uncertain, overwhelmed, feeling too young for this—and they begin anyway.
They stop waiting for “closer.” They recognize that waiting until retirement feels “real” or “urgent” is just procrastination with a nicer name. They make it real by starting to plan for it now.
They set actual deadlines. Not vague intentions, but specific dates: “By March 1st, I’ll have a real retirement projection. By June 1st, I’ll finish a 90-day spending test. By September 1st, I’ll make a decision about my timeline.” Dates make things real and pull retirement out of that distant, “someday” category.
They take imperfect action. They understand that waiting for perfect information or the perfect moment is really just fancy procrastination. They make the best decision they can with what they know, fully aware they can adjust as things change.
They get help navigating the overwhelm. Instead of letting “I don’t know where to start” keep them stuck, they work with someone who can show them exactly where to start and guide them through the process.
They build in cushion. Instead of cutting things so close that everything has to go perfectly, they build buffers—financial buffers, time buffers, flexibility. This reduces risk and makes the whole thing way less nerve-wracking.

Your First Three Steps
If you’re genuinely ready to make 2026 your year of action—to finally move retirement planning from that distant, “someday I’ll get to it” category into actual, concrete reality—let’s start with three commitments:
1. By January 31st, write out your retirement vision. Not the financial spreadsheet—your actual life. What does success look like? What matters most to you? What are you excited about? What worries you? Just get it out of your head and onto paper. Even if it feels far
away. Even if you feel too young for this. Come as you are and write it down.
2. By March 31st, get a comprehensive retirement projection that shows you exactly where you stand right now. No more guessing. No more “probably fine.” No more “I’ll do it when I’m closer.” Real numbers. If you need help with this, reach out—I’d love to walk through it with you.
3. By June 30th, start your dress rehearsal. Live on your projected retirement budget and, if you possibly can, experience an extended stretch without work structure. Test your real life, not your theoretical one. Even if retirement is years away—especially if it’s years away—
because then you have time to adjust.
These three actions will give you more real clarity and confidence than another whole year of “meaning to get to it.”

As You Are, Right Now

Think back to that Nirvana song for a minute. “Come as you are, as you were, as I want you
to be.”
You don’t need to transform into someone else to start planning for retirement. You don’t need to wait until you’re older, more knowledgeable, more certain, or until retirement feels “real” enough to take seriously.
You just need to be willing to start. Right now. As you are.
Uncertain? Come as you are.
Overwhelmed? Come as you are.
Don’t know where to start? Come as you are.
Feel too young for this? Come as you are.
Think retirement is too far away to worry about? Come as you are anyway.
Another book won’t retire you. Another podcast won’t retire you. Another year of “I’ll get to it when I’m closer” definitely won’t retire you.

Action retires you.

Not perfect action. Not action taken when you feel completely ready. Not action taken by some older, wiser, more prepared future version of yourself.
Just action. Your action. As you are right now. Starting today, not someday.
Look, you’ve spent decades working hard and saving diligently. You’ve earned the right to approach retirement with confidence. The real question is whether you’ll give yourself permission to actually start planning for it—uncertain and imperfect as you feel—or whether you’ll spend another year keeping it in that comfortable “future problem” category.
2026 can absolutely be the year you get real clarity. The year you test your assumptions. The year you make actual decisions instead of indefinitely postponing them.
But only if you’re willing to come as you are.
Not as you think you should be. Not as some future version of yourself. But exactly as you are right now—questions, concerns, uncertainty, overwhelm and all.
So… what’s your first move going to be?
If talking through your situation would be helpful, I’m here. No judgment about how long it’s been on your list. No expectation that you should have it all figured out. No requirement that you feel “ready.”
Come as you are. Let’s talk. Let’s make this the year you finally move forward.
Because retirement is coming—whether you plan for it or not. The only question is whether you’ll be ready when it arrives.