So, what now?

The Guardian magazine has a good piece by John Harris on how Prime Ministers cope with retirement. One day they are ruling the country with hoards of people at their command. The next, they are at home, with nothing to do and no-one to help them do it.
It chimed with a conversation i had last week with a friend about how CEOs cope with retirement, whether voluntary or enforced. In his case, he sold his company for a considerable sum and in his 50s had to decide what to do with the rest of his life. To his credit, in the american tradition of philanthropy, he set up a non-profit organisation which is now recognised as a leader in its field and saving lives.
But he told of a friend of his who, a few weeks away from enforced retirement from being CEO of a global brand, went to a charity dinner. Only when he arrived did he discover his company was sponsoring the event and the rest of his management team were on the VIP tables at the front. He was at the back. He was confused and puzzled - but his wife just said "Get used to it"....Some men, used to making major moment by moment decisions in their careers, are paralysed when they have to decide about their personal future.
How people cope with this sudden life change, the choices they make and the reasons why is fascinating. There's a book here I think...