Rewire or Retire?

It is an interesting time for Baby Boomers. Many decided long ago that they would retire at 55. Are you one of them? Have you found that upon reaching that age, you:

• Aren’t ready yet?
• Haven’t the finances to continue that preferred lifestyle you have become accustomed to?
• Have plenty of money but not sure you can give up contributing in an employed sense?
• Want to make some choices and explore some possible options but don’t know what they are?
• Would love to retire but not sure of your readiness for all that free time and what to do with it?
• Want to find some part-time working options but don’t know where to start looking?
• Are concerned about health and fitness but corporate life has prevented you from making that a priority in the past and you are not sure how to tackle this?

Your Career Coach is geared to assist you with your Retirement Success.

I have coached many people in their 50’s and 60’s who have been contemplating all of the above. Some did retire successfully and rewired by making a commitment to leisure pursuits and community volunteering or just to spend more time with their family, while others chose part-time business (maybe in a completely different service) consulting or contracting.

There is a shift in corporate awareness regarding the retiring baby boomer. Gradually the corporate world is realising the current and ever growing loss of skill, knowledge and organisational intelligence. Companies are beginning to re-assess the huge downsizing of the over 50’s that has been happening for the past 15 years or more. Some of the more forward thinking are already assessing ways to retain their senior employees on a part-time basis.

Feeling better or maybe confused? Read this article that was in the BRW in June 2005. It’s 'Rich Retired and Restless' and a section of it is as follows:

“Some baby boomers have shaken off society's expectations of early retirement and are redefining the years between 50 and 70, creating new terms such as "portfolio lifestyle", which involves a mixture of commercial and volunteer work. One 60-year-old entrepreneur, Yvonne Row, says she is called a workaholic by her peers because she continues to work hard. "I am also called a sports fanatic because I enjoy exercising. These terms associate you with failure, instead of celebrating the fact that you are fully engaged."

The danger is that many in this generation might disconnect with the workforce just as the nation begins to feel the full effect of the skills shortage and low birth rates. Andrew Inwood, a market-intelligence researcher at Brand Management, says: "The skills are still there but the nation doesn't understand how to use them. We are in danger of losing a generation of skills from the workforce."

Interesting?

If you are one of these wonderful people, whatever your level i.e. executive, manager, employee or self-employed and you want to have some coaching about your direction, maybe to:

• Assess your true readiness for retirement
• Make the right choices
• Rewire with a completely new venture
• Focus on lifestyle satisfaction
• Work towards optimum health and fitness
• Aim for financial security
• Ensure enjoyable family relationships and lasting friendships

Then just contact me and we can discuss some coaching tailored to suit your needs.

Fran Whittingham
Your Career Coach