Dear Bruce,

As for many, retirement is an upcoming event for me. I had a vision of retirement based on what I saw my parent's generation doing. I knew that style of life wasn't going to work for me! Fortunately, my Mom didn't' fit into the picture I envisioned.

When she retired she already had some plans in place. Today, after 18 years of being retired I need to make a date with her she is so busy! Bridge, bird watching, dancing, art appreciation, travel abroad, and exercise just to mention a few activities she does.

My Mom is a good role model for me. She is active and goes after things she wants to learn or do. At the age of 78 she decided she wanted to learn about the computer, how to use MS Word and surf the net!

I admit she struggled and it is still a challenge for her. Yet she never gives up. What she told me is by challenging herself with new things, she keeps her brain active. She feels that she is apart of things and feels alive

At 84 years old she is still active as ever despite the fact she fractured her hip several years ago. Had she not been active, had a purpose in life, the incident would have been devastating as I've seen happen in others!

Planning for your retirement is so important to do. Your plan will help you establish a purpose in life, give you direction and meaning. Planning helps you decide what things will please you to do.

Seeing my Mom is a testimonial you don't wither away in retirement rather you can flourish in this Age of Fulfillment.

There are few social guides in our culture that guide us in organizing our retirement. The Baby Boomers are going to redefine retirement. Retirement as our parents knew it will come to an end.

Today's retirees aren't looking to fade away or become a "couch potato". They want to find fulfilling activities and enriching endeavors. We are looking for our own fulfillment, our own sense of purpose and meaning. What we want is something new, something different and something interesting at a deep personal level.

Retirement is a portal that marks a transition from the life of work and production to a life of personal accomplishment, leisure and choice. Look at retirement this way - It is YOUR reward for all the hard work you've done over the decades!

Most of us have no experience with the concept of retirement. What we know is what we've seen, read or heard about. Moreover, it happens to someone else but not me!

We're unprepared for retirement after a lifetime of work. What do we do without work, our job, our career? How are you going to wrestle with the emotional question - "What do I do with the rest of my life once I've stopped working?"

To date, most companies and government programs focus on the financial aspects of retirement, pensions and health care. The psychological shock of retirement, however, is not being addressed.

Some of the anxieties and uncertainties of retirement may cause you to feel -worried; a sense of aimlessness; loss of goals without work; missing the routine you have at work; loneliness and a lack of contacts with colleagues at work.

By better understanding your feelings, you can position yourself to decide what to do next. And do spend time exploring how you feel about retirement because effective planning for retirement requires a long-term focus. By having a good understanding of yourself and your feelings puts you a step closer to having a clear mind to the other aspects you need to consider about retirement.

Retirement is a commencement. Yes, it is an end to one phase of our life and it is a NEW beginning of something bigger, brighter, and more rewarding than any of us would imagine right now!

For more assessment questions go to my home page under "Tools".

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Coaching is a relationship between client and coach in which the client and the coach collaborate for the purpose of meeting the client's needs. The agenda comes from the client. The client is guided and supported in making desirable changes in one or more parts of his or her life, leading to a life that is more fulfilling and balanced. It is a co-creative process - two people working toward the goal of one, the client.

Do you need a retirement coach? No, no one really needs a coach. It is an investment in you! Are you worth investing in yourself? Would you like to develop a compelling retirement? Would you like to create an action plan that suits your life with the support and assistance of someone who believes in you?

If your answer is yes, then you may want to explore hiring a retirement coach!

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Most retirees wish they had planned more for retirement

Women tend to begin planning later and tend to plan less than men do.

Third Age focuses on serving the needs of midlife adults by rewriting the rules of getting older and transform the voice of aging from one of limitation to one of possibility. http://www.thirdage.com

Visit my web site for tools you can print out. Also, I invite you to subscribe to my Special Report to see some key catagories you must focus on to have a rewarding and compelling retirement.

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