Second Half Success Blog
A generation of women defined by their work
Women have traditionally followed their partners into retirement. Based on current trends, many women will continue to work long after their partners stop working fulltime. In particular, those women who are considerably younger than their partners will continue to work.
Take the example of a 64 year old administration manager who has completed 48 years of paid work. She admits to being part of the career generation of women. She says she is attached to her work as she has always been and is likely to continue this way. She is aware that she and the owner of the business she works in are older than other workers, who are in their 30s and 40s. She wonders if it is time to retire and do what she wants to do. Travel overseas to spend time with family, get involved in voluntary work and perhaps work on the garden that she sees every day. Her superannuation savings may not be the basis to consider stopping work altogether – rather, she plans to work part-time to pick up some spending money. What about your own view of continuing to work as you grow older?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 5th September, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Men who stay in paid work
Recent articles suggest that the Global Financial Crisis is the reason men use as an excuse for staying on at work. It is that the crisis reduced their planned savings unexpectedly that they continue to work? Barbara Pocock, head of the Centre for Work + Life. For men, they may be daunted by the prospect of permanent leisure. They have been so attached to work and their identity with what they are paid to do. The prospect of considering what they would do after forty years of working is delaying the decision to stop work.
Certainly men and women face the prospect that they will earn no more as they work longer. Additional research shows that younger workers are demanding and commanding higher salaries than their managers. . Salaries for most workers aged 25-44 years rose at least twice as fast as those of workers aged over 45 years. It is the skills shortage such as in information technology and engineering that is attracting higher salaries. Are you interesting in upgrading your skills to meet these skills shortages? Why are you working still, as you grow older?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 22nd August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Being in paid work as you grow older
Australian statistics show that older workers (over 55) are staying in the workforce. Sure, they may change the nature of the work they do, the working hours, and the workload, but they are not retiring. Research shows that over the last 20 years many workers form their sense of who they are, and what is meaningful to them, by working. Workplace social networks and support structures occur more frequently now and for people considering leaving the workforce these factors need to be considered.
One interesting statistics is that the biggest increase in workers across the country is among women older than 65. Certainly the actual number of older women in the workforce who are over 65 is small. However, it may be worth exploring - what could this participation mean? Could it be that women are seeking both income and purpose by doing paid work? It is known that women are often the backbone of volunteer work done in charitable and non-for-profit organisations. Women are great organisers and build social networks wherever they are involved. Are you continuing to stay in paid work? What are the reasons you do so?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 14th August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Preventing mental illness as you grow older
It is known that dementia, in particular zheimer's disease, can be reduced but not overcome or ‘cured’. There are a number of ways to reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s, the most common of all dementia form. One way appears to be people who have a diet that is rich in antioxidants, that is, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. People who eat the so-called 'Mediterranean diet' for example – containing plenty of fruit and vegetables, bread and pasta, fish, olive oil and a little red wine, but low in dairy products and red meat – have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. So do people who exercise regularly. These activities tend to lower the risk of arteriosclerosis – disease of the arteries – and hence may in some way help protect from Alzheimer's.
People who keep mentally active – read, do crosswords, play board games, go to the theatre and so on – also have a lower risk of Alzheimer's. So do people who have good social networks. Alzheimer's has also been linked to education levels – the more education the person has, the lower the risk seems to be. Just why this is isn't known – though it may be that mental stimulation helps keep neural networks in the brain from deteriorating. (source Peter Lavelle, 2006)
What do you know about Alzheimers disease? – take the quiz http://abcmail.net.au/t/926074/614256/16338/0/
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 8th August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Work as you grow older
Heard of these job titles? General Manager of Humour? Director of the Future Department? Chief Energy Officer (CEO)? Well, they are made up roles, but would any one of them be for you? Consider that jobs for your grandchildren have not even been created yet. Technology, communications, product and services to be invented yet will provide them with employment in ways you may be able to imagine.
So why not imagine work or roles for your own life, here and now? Imagination may take you on a zigzag course where one offering seems attractive yet as you draw closer there are more interesting courses. For example, a magistrate became a primary school teacher and a financial wizard became an author and motivational speaker. Your imagination may need to be cultivated and encouraged. Start with a piece of paper and list all the work activities you would like to do. Do you have older people in your life who provide the way to live as they age? Have a look at the web site www.theelders.org/elders for some inspirational role models.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 1st August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Putting money in its place as you grow older
You accept that money is a part of life, neither the most important nor something to be avoided. As PT Barnum said: ”Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant’. It takes resolve and daily reinforcement to rid yourself of non-stop spending or buying what you do not need.
It may be time to face the fact that you have emotional ties about money and that you want to reduce that dependence and move to managing your money and income. Start with any expenses over $5 and write them in a daily journal. Find out if you are living within your means or beyond your means. Looking after the ‘small stuff’ now may mean financial independence and freedom as you grow older. You may even work out what is important and that enough is enough to live well and meaningfully on less income. Create a financial reserve of 6 to 12 months expenses – go on, start your expense journal now. Discover your patterns and ways of spending and investigate any changes you want to make.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 25th July, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Transitions as you grow older
Each person handles transitions differently. You may seek new ways of doing and thinking on a constant basis. The downside is that you are always in action and may not take the time to think things through before you act. You may need extended and in-depth time and thinking before you start new activities. Again, the downside is that you may suffer ‘analysis paralysis’ where you may never to move to action, until all the facts and consequences of the change are known.
It may be a balancing act for you to move to action, to change direction and take on new experiences. For example, one couple in their mid-50s, an engineer and a lawyer, quit their jobs, sold their home of twenty years and went North. They sought a new, less stressful more meaningful life. They discovered how to live cheaply, yet well and entertained through free or inexpensive services along the way. Eventually they settled in a small coastal town that met their criteria for the good life. The couple balanced action and a thoughtful approach to what they wanted. What are your stories about managing change?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 18th July, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Positive emotions and retirement planning
Did you know that your personality remains relatively stable during your adult life? That is, your interaction with the world, how you take in information and make decisions and your preference to be with people or be alone, does not change. What does change more dramatically is improvement into late adulthood of your emotional well-being. As you grow older you are likely to be more adjusted and happy with life than when you were younger. You handle distressing or traumatic events with more equanimity which helps you maintain your physical and mental health. Perhaps you develop better control of your emotions as a result of having had more life experiences. Perhaps you tend to involve yourself in more emotionally meaningful goals and activities than you did when you were younger. Perhaps you are more meaningful engaged in life as a result of an awareness that the time left in life is decreasing. Think about your life to date and how you plan to live after you stop working full-time. What are your plans for social engagement and how do you support those around you? Perhaps you can make time for positive experiences by giving of your time. Perhaps you can donate to charities or other support institutions to enhance your well being as you grow older. Being positive about your world and the wider community is good for your health and contributes to your well-being.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 11th July, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Successful ageing and transitions
Successful ageing is about living your life to the full, fit and active, as long as you live. You may not live to be a centenarian but maximising your years of physical and mental health is to be welcomed. You can plan to stay fit and active. You may consider this planning as a series of transitions – from where you are now to where you want to be. When older people are asked about successful ageing they report that success is about adaptation to physical changes. Rather than see growing older as a series of declines and disappointments, older people judge their ability to manage the changes successfully as having a happy and fulfilling life. For example, emotional adjustment to distressing life events helps avoid depression and anxiety. It is the acceptance of chronic illness and/or disability as you age that keeps you engaged and focussed with what you have, rather than be pre-occupied with what you do not. Thinking about the inevitability of change and needs for adjustments may help you plan your life transitions. Attention to diet, exercise and mental stimulation start with your willingness to have success in older life. Your social engagement, healthy eating, managing stress and physical activity reduce the likelihood for depression and anxiety now, and in the future. In fact older people report that having a positive attitude and being socially engaged are more central to successful ageing than physical aspects of their life style. What are your plans to transition to developing and maintaining a successful lifestyle as you grow older?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 4th July, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Successful ageing and retirement planning
Your life in retirement will be successful based on how you have aged to date. If you are free from disability and disease now then it is likely that you will continue to be well and thrive, although perhaps at a slower pace. If you are physically and mentally active then it is likely that you will continue to be active. And how social you are now predicts how social you will continue to be as you grow older. So with all these predictions for a healthy life what are you doing to plan how you will continue to live, fit, active and engaged with your family and community? For example, if you play sport such as tennis, you may experience decreased speed and power. So to continue to play tennis, you may work to emphasise and perfect a specific shot and enhance your accuracy to compensate for loss of power. What about your approach to work? Are you wanting to slow down and perhaps step down from a responsible and demanding role, yet not stop work altogether? Retirement planning can help you decide on the roles and hours you want to work at and set your career towards those plans. How do you plan to support your community? Perhaps you will seek a board or committee position and contribute your skills developed over your life to date. Or perhaps you will volunteer the hours and times to suit your other interests. Retirement planning is more than having the finances you need as you grown older. You need to plan your lifestyle also.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 27th June, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Extra income for planning your retirement?
As you plan your financial affairs for when you stop working full-time, what about the lifestyle you plan? Considering that you may live well into your 80s, as suggested by recent Australian research, what will you do? What are your interests that you would like to pursue further? For some of my clients they take up a hobby or get training in a topic they are interested in. One man made wooden toys for his children and grandchildren and developed a gift for teaching other men to do the same. He volunteered his time and was offered a part-time position with a technical college. Now he teaches all generations the classic art of wood turning.
Some of my clients have developed an initial interest in having an investment property. Bernard Kelly a colleague of mine offers advice on his site, www.retirelaughing.com that may be of interest. Have you an interest in building a business that suits you parttime with the hours you want to work? Another colleague of mine Pesi Weir has a successful business in telecommunications; here is her website www.pesiweir.acnrep.com for what she has to offer. Opportunities for the income you want in retirement are always in the offing – keep your eyes and ears alert to them.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 20th June, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Who is your retirement role model?
Have you considered that your parents or others may not have provided the roles that suit you, as you grow older? For example, you are likely to live longer than the previous generation, due to medical advances. You are probably exercising more that your parents and know how to eat well and nutritiously. But who are the people whose lives you admire and demonstrate success in growing older? Do you have older people in your life who provide the way to live as they age? Have a look at the web site www.theelders.org/elders for some inspirational role models.
What about being a role model yourself? Take some time to reflect on your life to date and how you are living with meaning. What it is you do to wake up each day, enthusiastic and engaged with the day? Look at the organisations you are involved in, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. Decide what give you joy and passion to stay involved. Who are the people you are surrounded by that support you and encourage you? Look at what is meaningful in their lives and discuss what is important for both of you. Perhaps you are own role model for planning your life, in retirement?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 13th June, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Live longer as you transition
Recently, a study of adults over 60 found that those who live a goal-driven life were nearly 60% likely to live longer than those who had little direction. Are you planning for your future with an idea about something you want to achieve? With your plan you may be able to live a longer time to pursue and achieve that goal. The study confirms other research that suggests that in spite of ill-health you may experience, your positive attitude to living in the present offers you greater opportunity for living longer. Stay active and you stay longer!
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 6th June, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Retirement Planning for Change
Imagine you have three buckets to label all your activities. These buckets are labelled Musts, Shoulds, and Wants. Put into the Must bucket all the things that you do as part of your everyday – caring for children and other dependants. Put into the Should bucket activities that you have no enthusiasm for, such as having a difficult conversation with a loved one. Put in the Want bucket activities you care about, your interests that draw you to spending your time there. Review and focus on the Wants bucket, while reducing the Shoulds in particular. Please share your Wants with us.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 30th May, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Retirement Planning
You may consider that retirement is about a lifestyle that can be supported by your financial assets. Have you considered that your other assets, such as your health, relationships and hobbies, contribute to your lifestyle also? When you stop working full-time, you can plan to manage the time you have. There is now time to travel, read and perhaps pursue an interest you have been unable to pursue while you were working. Is it hard for you to think about doing something new, moving out of what you know into the unknown? Tell us your stories of doing something new in your retirement.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 23rd May, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Ageing well as you transition from full-time working
Research has found that an environment that provides little stimulation results in boredom and cognitive decline. Similarly, an environment that is overstimulating causes anxiety and cognitive withdrawal. It’s a balance between the extremes that supports you to maintain your cognitive abilities as you grow older. You can plan activities to bring this balance. Activities include building and maintaining relationships with loved ones and new friends. Other activities involve keeping yourself mentally alert through physical exercise. You may even seek to learn a new skill. Is your environment, your work, relationships and hobbies helping you now? Are you ready for your transition? If you need some help contact us.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 16th May, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
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