It's that time of year when we reflect on what we accomplished (or didn't accomplish) during the past year and set our goals for the coming year. What will your goals be?
Have you been doing the same things over and over and expecting different results? Often people get stuck in a rut because they've done the same type of job for most or all of their careers. Maybe you aren't happy, but you figure "it's too late to change now." Well...that just isn't true! In fact, that may be what is holding you back! That is the most common mistake identified in a recent Met Life Mature Market Institute Survey. People often assume that they have lots of experience and have done this kind of work forever, so they should be "good to go." Hmmmmm...not so fast!
There are several reasons you may want to step back and consider your options. You may be burning out in this career. Maybe you're doing it because it's comfortable and it's what you know; but, the passion isn't there any more and you're going through the motions rather than living your life on purpose! There are very likely things you absolutely LOVE about what you've always done and that you are passionate about. Maybe you can build an "encore career" around those things--and, really begin to be excited about life again? Wouldn't that be fun?! To have balance; to be excited about what you do again; and, to truly live your life ON PURPOSE--and, with passion! WOW!
I'm sure you're thinking that all sounds great, but is it realistic? (Yes, it is!) You're also probably thinking I would have no idea how to go about making a change like that. But, it may not be as hard as you think. In just a few sessions, the 2Young2Retire course helps individuals identify the questions they need to ask and answer; find their passions; set their goals--and, develop a plan and take action to begin accomplishing those goals--even before the course is finished.
So, if you are wondering "what's next," or, in transition or considering retirement you may want to take action now to start living YOUR life on purpose. Find out what questions you should be getting answers to, find your passion, set your goals and create your plan to get there. Make 2010 YOUR YEAR!
Contact me at lindam@2young2retire-mn.com or call 952-895-1013 to discuss how we can work together to complete your puzzle!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Make the next part of your life the best part...
I recently heard Art Linkletter doing an interview on television. He's now 98 years old...still making jokes and still keeping busy. In fact, at the age of 95, he wrote a new book titled, "How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life." I believe he's "walking the talk."
Since the age of 70, he's done so much good for others that he was awarded a prestigious humanitarian award--of which he is most proud!
In 2005, at the age of 93, he opened the Happiest Homecoming on Earth celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland. Half a century earlier, he was the commentator for opening day celebrations at Disneyland in 1955. For this, he was named a Disney Legend in 2005.
Linkletter is a spokesman for the United Seniors Association, now known as USA Next, an alternative to AARP. He is also a member of Pepperdine University's Board of Regents. He received a lifetime achievement Daytime Emmy award in 2003. Also, he was recently a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the council ended in November 2008). He also suffered a mild stroke in 2008 and had knee surgery this year; but, that hasn't stopped him.
His secret? Humor, keeping busy and faith. His perspective is that you have a lot of life to live and much to give in your later years.
Most people will have 20-25 years to live after they leave their core careers. Then what? An encore career? A new business? More balance in your life? Travel? Some of all of these?
Think about it, ask--and answer--the right questions. Put a plan in place and "Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life."
If you want help with the questions and the plan, contact 2Young2Retire-MN. (http://www.2young2retire-mn.com/, 952-895-1013)
Since the age of 70, he's done so much good for others that he was awarded a prestigious humanitarian award--of which he is most proud!
In 2005, at the age of 93, he opened the Happiest Homecoming on Earth celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland. Half a century earlier, he was the commentator for opening day celebrations at Disneyland in 1955. For this, he was named a Disney Legend in 2005.
Linkletter is a spokesman for the United Seniors Association, now known as USA Next, an alternative to AARP. He is also a member of Pepperdine University's Board of Regents. He received a lifetime achievement Daytime Emmy award in 2003. Also, he was recently a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the council ended in November 2008). He also suffered a mild stroke in 2008 and had knee surgery this year; but, that hasn't stopped him.
His secret? Humor, keeping busy and faith. His perspective is that you have a lot of life to live and much to give in your later years.
Most people will have 20-25 years to live after they leave their core careers. Then what? An encore career? A new business? More balance in your life? Travel? Some of all of these?
Think about it, ask--and answer--the right questions. Put a plan in place and "Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life."
If you want help with the questions and the plan, contact 2Young2Retire-MN. (http://www.2young2retire-mn.com/, 952-895-1013)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's about more than dollars and cents
It seems whenever we read about preparing for retirement, the focus is financial. Will you have enough $$ to retire? How is your 401(k) doing? How much money do you need to retire?
In reality, there are many other questions that need to be answered beyond the financial ones. Even if an individual chooses to stay at his/her core career until retirement age (66 or above), they likely have 15 or 20 years (or more!) of living to do. Are most boomers prepared to "sit on the sidelines" for that long? Probably not...yet most haven't really thought about what they DO want to do.
Do they want an "encore career" or to become an "encore entrepreneur"? Do they want a mix of leisure and work? If so, what does "work" look like for them? How does travel fit in? Do they want to volunteer--where? how much? Have you given up on your dreams? Can you still achieve them?
I love one of the advertisements for the new show, "Men of a Certain Age." It asks, At what age did you give up your dreams? At what age do you want to take them back?" I believe NOW is the time to take back those dreams. Put a plan in place and ACT on it!
There are countless examples of people who have "retired" from their core careers only to achieve a dream that's been dormant for years! Some examples include: a former executive who went to clown school and is now having the time of his life; a corporate leader who became a professional dog trainer; an attorney who is now a bookstore employee with expertise in wine and motorcycles; and, a teacher who turned a love of carpentry into a lucrative second career. The possibilities are endless...
According to the Rutgers University Heldrich Center for Workforce Development study, "Most workers now see their 'retirement' not as a time for leisure and travel, but as an opportunity for more balance in their lives and as an opportunity to do fulfilling work and find avocation in what they do."
Thinking about what really matters to YOU, putting a plan in place and knowing what to do to make it happen is key to making the next phase of your life the very best it can be! Think about it: At what age did you give up your dreams? Is it time now to take them back?
"We spend the first half of our lives learning what we love--we should find a way to do those things in the second half. ---David Whyte
In reality, there are many other questions that need to be answered beyond the financial ones. Even if an individual chooses to stay at his/her core career until retirement age (66 or above), they likely have 15 or 20 years (or more!) of living to do. Are most boomers prepared to "sit on the sidelines" for that long? Probably not...yet most haven't really thought about what they DO want to do.
Do they want an "encore career" or to become an "encore entrepreneur"? Do they want a mix of leisure and work? If so, what does "work" look like for them? How does travel fit in? Do they want to volunteer--where? how much? Have you given up on your dreams? Can you still achieve them?
I love one of the advertisements for the new show, "Men of a Certain Age." It asks, At what age did you give up your dreams? At what age do you want to take them back?" I believe NOW is the time to take back those dreams. Put a plan in place and ACT on it!
There are countless examples of people who have "retired" from their core careers only to achieve a dream that's been dormant for years! Some examples include: a former executive who went to clown school and is now having the time of his life; a corporate leader who became a professional dog trainer; an attorney who is now a bookstore employee with expertise in wine and motorcycles; and, a teacher who turned a love of carpentry into a lucrative second career. The possibilities are endless...
According to the Rutgers University Heldrich Center for Workforce Development study, "Most workers now see their 'retirement' not as a time for leisure and travel, but as an opportunity for more balance in their lives and as an opportunity to do fulfilling work and find avocation in what they do."
Thinking about what really matters to YOU, putting a plan in place and knowing what to do to make it happen is key to making the next phase of your life the very best it can be! Think about it: At what age did you give up your dreams? Is it time now to take them back?
"We spend the first half of our lives learning what we love--we should find a way to do those things in the second half. ---David Whyte
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