Later Life Work
“Prior to our coaching work together I knew that things were no longer feeling right but could not identify what it was or how to fix it. The kids had been launched and work was still successful but I was not happy. With your help I was able to distinguish between success and happiness-a remarkable insight! With that knowledge we were able to determine what is important in my life, what needs to be deleted or reduced and what needs to be added in. We reprioritized and developed a plan that now includes some work, my personal interests and more social life. Thank you so much for your fine coaching/counselling skills and patience to see me through this process.”
- Successful business owner who sought coaching toreassess work
life commitments in later life.
According to New Retirement Survey (Merrill Lynch, 2005) 76% of the boomers plan to keep working and earning an income during retirement. The study further indicated that many boomers also reject the concept of full time paid work, opting instead for work arrangements that provide flexibility and are personally fulfilling at this stage of life.
While older workers are choosing to stay in the work force longer, what constitutes ideal work at this stage is very different from earlier phases in their careers. For many, the goal is to scale back to pursue part time or flexible work arrangements that allow more time for personal interests and priorities. For others, it is to “retire” from one job/career and launch an entirely new one. Still others seek paid or unpaid work to pursue social goals and give back to their communities.
The average life expectancy in Canada is now approaching 81. As people live longer, healthier, and more active lives, planning for later life must include consideration of how we will choose to spend our time – whether paid or unpaid – in activities that will challenge and engage us and bring purpose to our lives.
Insight to Action provides a comprehensive later life planning process to help individuals sort through these important life decisions. The process culminates in the development of a vision for later life and actionable strategies to achieve it.
The process includes:
- Self-reflection exercises and assessments to uncover interests, values, and personality style factors that help determine work life direction
- Guided research of potential options
- Development of a transition strategy and action plan
- Coaching through implementation of the plan, which, depending on the circumstance, may include:
- Work search support – networking, resume building, interview training
- Assessing suitability for self-employment, market strategy consultation, profile creation and referral to other development resources as needed
