DIY Retirement Speech

Retirement is a bittersweet occasion.

Retirement is a time any people look forward to, but according to articles.cnn.com, it is also a time of "adjustments and difficulties." Retirement can be a difficult time because individuals develop strong feelings for their colleagues and for the work that they do. Writing your own retirement speech provides an opportunity to say goodbye to old friends and to your company in a personal and meaningful way.

Instructions

1. Create a list of sentiments that you want to express to your co-workers. After years of working at a specific company, you have developed strong friendships and gained a lot of skills and experience. Your list should contain sentiments that you want to share with long time colleagues, and wisdom that you wish to impart to younger ones.

2. Write out a few happy memories or funny stories from work. Write out anecdotes that will let old friends know that you have enjoyed your time working with them. If you have trouble thinking of stories, ask co-workers for help.

3. Organize the points that you want to make and the anecdotes that you want to share into an outline. According to casaaleadership.ca, a speech should contain an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

4. Write the first draft of your retirement speech. Write out your speech on a piece of paper. Don't worry about spelling or grammar.

5. Read your speech to friends or family members. Ask for feedback to help you improve your retirement speech. Don't read your speech to co-workers so that it will be fresh when you present it at your retirement party.

6. Revise your speech. Based on your own feelings, and any feedback you received, revise your speech so that it is ready for your retirement party. Double check that you haven't forgotten any specific thank-you's.

7. Practice in front of a mirror. Make sure that you appear calm and poised when you say "goodbye" to your company.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to be well groomed, relaxed, and emotionally present when you deliver your speech.

• Include some information about your plans for the future. Your co-workers will be happy to hear about travel plans and new projects.

• Don't make changes to your speech based on feedback with which do not agree.

References

• Casaaleadership.ca: Public Speaking
• Articles.cnn.com: Emotional Changes of Retirement Can Tarnish Golden Years