Second Half Success Blog 
more about Helene 
ArchivesDecember 2011November 2011October 2011September 2011August 2011July 2011June 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010December 2009November 2009October 2009September 2009August 2009July 2009June 2009May 2009April 2009March 2009
18 Dec 11: Living longer with more You may have heard from financial ‘gurus’ that you will need less money in retirement than you need now. How can that be true? After you stop working full... [ More...] 11 Dec 11: Your brain shall not wither… Exciting new research demonstrates that healthy older brains are not significantly smaller than younger brains! With imaging tools at the psychologists’ han... [ More...] 4 Dec 11: Dealing with the unexpected A coaching client of mine was discussing the possibility of managing her affairs, both financial and family, without her husband by her side. He has died sudd... [ More...] 27 Nov 11: Planning a retirement career With some time away from working full-time, I have been reflecting on the time I have had to do what I want to do, and to celebrate just being alive! During t... [ More...] 20 Nov 11: Retirement planning for women Were you one of the many women who decided to find a career outside the home in the 1960s and 1970s? Today, you are in your mid-60s and considering stopping c... [ More...] 13 Nov 11: Transition: Finding work that matters in your Second Half Retirement is an idea that could be headed for the waste paper basket- if Marc Freedman has anything to say about it. In his book, Encore: finding work that ... [ More...] 6 Nov 11: Retirement planning now Why wait till you are in your 60s to do what you have wanted to do? A client of mine retired from her school principal role at 65, and then discovered she had... [ More...] 30 Oct 11: Reinventing Retirement A growing number of people over 60 are planning to stay in the workforce, on their own terms. People understand that they have options. They may continue in t... [ More...] 23 Oct 11: Transitions William Bridges wrote that transition is not like change – change is about an event while transition is about a process, moving from one life stage to anoth... [ More...] 16 Oct 11: Retirement planning for your next 30 years New figures show that children born in the next few years may have a life expectance of over 100 year; that is, they will live until the 22 nd century. Amazin... [ More...]
|
Second Half Success Blog
Living longer with more
You may have heard from financial ‘gurus’ that you will need less money in retirement than you need now. How can that be true? After you stop working full-time, you may need a less formal clothing wardrobe and travel less to and from your workplace. But what about ongoing costs? Staples such as groceries, petrol, utilities and rates expenses continue and will increase over time. Perhaps with a fixed income you have more discretion for entertainment, travel and other enjoyable pursuits. However, in general, your lifestyle continues in retirement. Plan now for the same, if not more, income than you have now. When you stop working full-time, plan to live the life you want, assured of the income to do what you want.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 18th December, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Your brain shall not wither…
Exciting new research demonstrates that healthy older brains are not significantly smaller than younger brains! With imaging tools at the psychologists’ hands, the world is learning so much more about the possibilities of continuing good health well into our 80s. Current research comes from the Netherlands’ long term aging study from 1994 to 2005. The study authors concluded that as long as people’s brains stay healthy there is no evidence that the brain gets smaller. What does this mean to you as your navigate your growing older? Will you be confident to take on new interests or existing hobbies that you enjoy or will enjoy? Will the knowledge that you are likely to continue good health help you make decisions to follow your interests for many years to come?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 11th December, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Dealing with the unexpected
A coaching client of mine was discussing the possibility of managing her affairs, both financial and family, without her husband by her side. He has died suddenly and unexpectedly and she missed him greatly. As for many older couples perhaps, he had been in charge of their financial affairs and she was left with little or knowledge or ability to carry on these activities alone. Now, with the benefit of a financial planner, she is learning and steering her own course about her future lifestyle with confidence and a ‘take charge’ attitude. This attitude forms the basis of our coaching together to assist her to achieve some early goals. What about you? Are you and your partner able to take on the other’s knowledge and work, in the case of unexpected events?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 4th December, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: planning for retirement, positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement
Planning a retirement career
With some time away from working full-time, I have been reflecting on the time I have had to do what I want to do, and to celebrate just being alive! During this time I have been developing a ‘portfolio’ career and live, where I lecture, write, coach and mentor post graduate business students and thrive as a grandmother. I consider my life now as ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’; that is, while I am busy I make the time to take time to appreciate the present, the now of life and relationships. In reflecting on your own time in what you are doing now, what joy are you experiencing? Are you a happy and fulfilling person, or still in transition, planning your next career, or portfolio of work and activities, as you grown older?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 27th November, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Retirement planning for women
Were you one of the many women who decided to find a career outside the home in the 1960s and 1970s? Today, you are in your mid-60s and considering stopping career or working full time in the near future. There is a helpful book that may assist this life transition. It’s called Project Renewment: the first retirement model for career women (Scribner 2008) by Helen Dennis and Bernice Brattner. The authors explore the identity struggle that career women may face as they move into a new phase of life. While men also may have challenges to find meaningful activities in retirement, the authors believe that the issues women face are unique and need to be addressed. These issues may be financial security; owning their own homes and their health that may have been challenged during their working lives. What are the issues for you?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 20th November, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Transition: Finding work that matters in your Second Half
Retirement is an idea that could be headed for the waste paper basket- if Marc Freedman has anything to say about it. In his book, Encore: finding work that matters in the second half of life, he argues that ‘For the last half century, we’ve had a cultural vision of success in later life that focussed on liberation from work’. As CEO of Civic Ventures, Freedman promotes ideas that organisations can create opportunities for Baby Boomers to start new careers. These careers may be paid or unpaid, voluntary participation. The opportunities offer older adults the opportunity to make a positive social contribution to their current and future lifestyles. Order online from Amazon or check your local library for the book.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 13th November, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Retirement planning now
Why wait till you are in your 60s to do what you have wanted to do? A client of mine retired from her school principal role at 65, and then discovered she had wanted to do ceramics! While it is not too late, she says she would be more established and more accomplished if she had chosen this path earlier. What about you? What dreams or desires are occupying your quiet moments? Are you thinking or imagining what you could be doing now, or working towards as you plan what you will do, after you stop working full-time. You may not be dissatisfied or uneasy about what occupies your time and energy now. However, perhaps you are restless, uncertain about your future or toying with a drive to try something new? Research your options, talk to other people about what they are doing, and of course try something that interests you now. Don’t wait.
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 6th November, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Reinventing Retirement
A growing number of people over 60 are planning to stay in the workforce, on their own terms. People understand that they have options. They may continue in their careers, or change careers and pursue new ones. These careers may involve full-time or part-time work, and have major or minor responsibilities. Now that 60-somethings have more time, they may pursue other than work interests and activities also. For example, three former high school teachers are transitioning to new lifestyles. Maria in her early sixties tutors in final year mathematics and is developing her tutor business. Lucy, aged 64, provides lodging and meals for international students whom she loves to share their experiences with her own. Jacquie, in her late sixties, makes jewellery in her small home and provides weekend care for pets of owners who go away. What do you think about these role models? Are their options maybe options for you?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 30th October, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: planning for retirement, transition to retirement, positive ageing
Transitions
William Bridges wrote that transition is not like change – change is about an event while transition is about a process, moving from one life stage to another life stage. For example, the birth of a child is a change while your role of parent is a transition, or even a series of transitions. Such a parenting transition involves a psychological shift, from being focussed on yourself to attending to a new dependent life and making adjustment to your own priorities and needs. Think of what is happening in your own life now – is it stopping full-time work, or moving to part-time work – what transitions are you making to adjust your focus and attention? How are you letting go of the old way, spending the time required in a neutral space considering your options, and then beginning a new way of living?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 23rd October, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
Retirement planning for your next 30 years
New figures show that children born in the next few years may have a life expectance of over 100 year; that is, they will live until the 22 nd century. Amazing? What about your own life expectancy? If you are in your 50s now, you are likely to live until your 80s; true for both men and women. So, how will you live? Will it be that your you every day is one of importance to be lived to the maximum – or just another day like any other? Will every day mean another opportunity to you to make a connection – or just another day spent with the same people you have always known? Imagine if the next 30 years is filled with new activities, new people, new connections leading you to a more fulfilling life. Is that possible for you? Is that what you want?
Posted by Helene Strawbridge on 16th October, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: positive aging, positive ageing, transition to retirement, planning for retirement
|
|
|