Introductions

Hundreds of thousands of us are approaching ‘retirement’. Some of us will retire, some of us won’t. Virtually all of us will create an approach to retirement that works for us rather than opting for the one-size-fits-all permanent weekend that our parents experienced. And therein lies the challenge: if we are to ‘create’ our retirement we need to really know and understand who we are and what our needs are, we need to become aware of ourselves in ways that many of us have lost touch with over the decades spent focused on the needs of employers, family and clients. We need to re-learn how to be Self-ish so that we can live the last half of our life in ways that fulfil us and provide us with a meaningful life. Exploring Retirement is a conversation that will help you discover the kinds of questions that will make a difference for you. Exploring Retirement is an opportunity for you to reconnect with yourself before you have to confront the day-to-day reality of life after work.

Heading for 60, I am very aware that life has become so much easier to live now that I don’t give a hoot what other people think of me.  I love life, I love people and I love to help people create the kinds of life that they’ve always wanted for themselves.  I’ve published two books, am actively working on my 3rd and have begun plans for my 4th.

 Like many people of my generation, I have no intention of retiring.  Having started my own company, Odysseys Unlimited Inc. (www.ouicoach.com) about a decade ago, I have the freedom to create exactly the kind of work life that works for me.  And I believe that with the coming worker shortage most of us will be able to be the authors of our own destiny …if we can get off the treadmill of thinking that has kept us as wage slaves for decades.  My mission in life these days is to help as many people as possible awaken to the fact that they are much more in control of their lives than they have been taught to believe that they are …and then to help them to craft an approach to living that is emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially rewarding.

 I am a very ordinary human being who lives an extraordinary life full of fulfillment and joy.  I know absolutely that if I can create this life for myself anyone else can.  Therefore, I coach, create and lead workshop and entice folks to spend time with me on professional development retreats to exotic locales so that they too can discover that a wondrous second half of life is possible for us all.  No matter how many challenges, disappointments, disasters or successes you’ve had to date in your life, the future is yours to craft in whatever way you wish.  The big question is:  can you move beyond the limits you have set for yourself?  I know you can because you are the same as me and I have done it!  As you read Exploring Retirement you’ll discover many more bits of information about me and my life.  For now I think that knowing that who I am is a stand for irrepressible possibility will help you decide whether to read further!