Author and psychologist, Morrie Shechtman, posed some interesting ideas in the mid-1990s in his book, “Working Without a Net,” that are applicable today to the notion of phased retirement.

In the 90s, you may recall, personal accountability was a big deal.  Newt Gingrich was a fan of Morrie’s and touted many of his principles of self-reliance during the “Republican Revolution” of the 1994 elections.

The principle I think most appropriate to a better approach to life and to retirement is this:  “Who we are personally is inextricably connected to who we are professionally; the goal is to lead blended, not balanced, lives.”

Morrie was ahead of his time here; the consensus writing of the time was to strive for ‘balance,’  and principally work-life balance.  Work life was work life and home life was home life – but not according to Morrie!

In Morrie’s eyes “balanced lives” referred to the traditional notion of work-life balance, where individuals strive to allocate their time and energy equally between their professional responsibilities and personal pursuits. The idea is to create a sense of equilibrium between work and personal life, ensuring that neither aspect dominates at the expense of the other.

Morrie preferred the “blended lives” perspective. Blended lives emphasize the integration of work and personal life, rather than strict separation or balance. He suggested that the boundaries between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, with technologies and flexible work arrangements enabling people to interweave different aspects of their lives.

And remember, this was in the mid-1990s when voicemail was still the killer app and remote work was still mostly two decades in the future.

He argued that a blended life involves finding ways to align your values, passions, and purpose across various domains of life, such as work, family, relationships, and personal growth. It’s about, “creating a sense of harmony and synergy between different areas of life, allowing them to complement and support one another.”

The concept of blended lives encourages individuals to cultivate a holistic approach, seeking fulfillment and satisfaction not only from work but also from personal relationships, hobbies, self-care, and other aspects of life that contribute to overall well-being.

This is a perfect way to describe what I’ve advocated for with a phased approach to retirement; a holistic view and approach to your life that allows you the best of both worlds.  The challenge, purpose and financial rewards of continuing your work while at the same time exploring the other aspects of your ‘blended life.’  It’s about integrating different roles and identities, embracing the interconnections between work and personal life, and finding meaning and purpose in all areas.