Career-change expert Richard Bolles (What Color is Your Parachute has sold 10 million copies) doesn’t like the term retirement because it implies “being put out to pasture.”

I don’t like it either, but for a different reason. It defines me by who I was, not who I am.

When I started teaching in the 90s, I didn’t introduce myself as a former summer camp director or former pastor. I was Dr. Bellah, Professor of English at Amarillo College.

And when I introduce myself to someone next year at this time, I don’t yet know what moniker I will choose—maybe writer, entrepreneur or discoverer—but I do know that I will get to choose it.