| Untitled Document | | | | benefits, and volunteering at an agency or hospital. Bill's |
| Work Reorientation | | | | homework consists of doing more research at the |
| | | | library, finding volunteer agencies and doing |
| Some people are forced into retirement, or haven't | | | | informational interviews to help narrow his focus both |
| truly figured out what they will do each day once they | | | | in the volunteer and travel worlds. Armed with this |
| are retired. Whatever the reason for leaving work, it's | | | | information, we review and discuss what options will |
| true that many people caught up in this dilemma are | | | | be right for him. |
| heavily invested yet in work. Work is a HUGE priority in | | | | The coaching also looks at his current employment, his |
| their lives. | | | | concerns about staying with the company, and his |
| Bill is a 58-year-old male, who recently sold his | | | | options for other employment. Some of the coaching |
| business and is now working for the new company. | | | | focus is on how to interact with his new bosses so he |
| He was finding this arrangement frustrating since he no | | | | can discuss his feelings and concerns. He's set some |
| longer made decisions to progress the business or had | | | | work goals and felt that he could work toward them, |
| much control over how the business ran. Bill had | | | | rather than react to his circumstances. His wellness |
| several issues that he wanted to work on: he wanted | | | | and illness are discussed and perspective becomes a |
| to find satisfying work if he decides to leave his | | | | key coaching topic. |
| current position with the new owners of the company. | | | | Bill decided on a phased retirement, meaning that he |
| He disagreed with how they were running the business | | | | would work at his current position for three more |
| and felt if that could not be worked out, he wanted to | | | | years and then leave that employment. Over those |
| look for more satisfying work. Unfortunately, he wasn't | | | | three years, he will gradually cut back his work time, |
| sure what type of work would fulfill him, or whether he | | | | and explore more leisure and travel opportunities. At |
| wanted to work part-time or full-time. Since Bill had | | | | this time, Bill is contemplating moving to a warmer |
| been a workaholic, pouring his time and energy into the | | | | climate for part of each year. He also committed to |
| business, he had made little time for hobbies outside of | | | | making changes in his attitude around the current |
| his work and wanted to explore that possibility. At the | | | | employment and is taking a more proactive role in his |
| time, Bill was suffering a second round of cancer, and | | | | work. He will continue to explore his leisure interests, |
| was concerned about his health and happiness, since | | | | and commit to the volunteer opportunities he chooses. |
| he thought he had conquered this completely the first | | | | As for leisure, Bill has settled on bridge, travel and |
| time and was quite surprised and disappointed that it | | | | exercise and will continue to find ways to enjoy those... |
| had reoccurred. He also wanted to find activities that | | | | his wife will explore some of those with him. In the |
| would contribute towards his wellness. | | | | coaching process Bill, after completing the initial |
| Bill was clearly still VERY invested (to the point of | | | | coaching sessions, will work on this path and check in |
| over-invested) in his work. This became one of his | | | | with his coach on a regular basis. He feels that closer |
| focus factors. A focus factor is an area in your life | | | | to the time of his phasing out he will start up coaching |
| that we focus on to progress you towards your | | | | again regularly as he would like the support. |
| retirement. | | | | Your Assignment: |
| Bill was not a happy camper. He questions where his | | | | What are some positive things about your job you will |
| life is going and realizes he needs to take steps | | | | be leaving? What things will be gained by leaving your |
| immediately. Bill hasn't developed interests outside of | | | | job? |
| work, and doesn't know where to turn. He feels much | | | | Contrary to what many believe, when people retire, |
| older than he really is and his illness drains him, making | | | | personal productivity does NOT nosedive. |
| him feel older than his age in years. | | | | Achievement may actually increase, because you are |
| In a coaching relationship, Bill finds a sounding board to | | | | finally doing what you love. |
| discuss his concerns. He'll make some significant life | | | | Some strategies for change are: |
| changes to impact his wellness. His non-working life will | | | | A. Plan for another career after 'work'. |
| have some direction, and generate some options. He | | | | B. Go back to school/college/university. |
| wants to get more involved in leisure activities with his | | | | C. Take up vocational/service career. |
| wife and for himself. A coach can help him assess | | | | Think about your work you have done. Prior to moving |
| where he is currently at, help him with insights, help plan | | | | into retirement, you need to ask yourself: how |
| a roadmap for the future and help him get started with | | | | emotionally distanced are you from your career? |
| the process and steps. | | | | If you're looking for ways to figure out what your |
| Some areas he'll want to pursue can begin by getting | | | | retirement will look like, and you know you definitely |
| more information about travel, especially by tour bus | | | | DON'T want to leave it to chance, contact me for a |
| with travel clubs, purchasing a motor home, playing | | | | 30-minute 'Get Acquainted Session' to see if there are |
| bridge, woodworking or stained glass making, | | | | ways I can help you. Simply email me at and we'll set |
| exercising, perhaps through a health club so he enjoys | | | | up a time to chat. |
| it as a social activity as well as enjoying the health | | | | |