I am excited to share that I am now a Certified Professional Retirement Coach! Who knew such a role existed, right? And why did I do this extra training? In my work I already help clients make significant life changes. However, “retirement”, in whatever form it takes, presents its own unique challenges. I wanted to get specific tools to help people anticipate and make a healthy transition. So – with more learning I am now launching my retirement transition program.
“Retirement” is a loaded word. While most people think of retirement planning only in financial terms my coaching focuses on all the rest. Without preparation for this big life change, some people really flounder. The reward for all those years of work may feel after an initial “honeymoon period” a bit disorienting, even a let-down. It helps to know and honestly explore that this next stage can present wonderful opportunity for whatever you want more of in life and also adjustment difficulty.
Coaching can help to answer the question: “What are you retiring to?”
Retirement transition coaching most benefits anyone considering semi- or fully-retiring within the next 6 – 12 months. It can also be useful for those who have already left work and want help to figure out the next stage.
My program includes 10 one-hour sessions, with an optional phone or email check-in between sessions to keep the momentum going.
During the first session we complete an initial assessment of when, why and how you want to leave (or have left) work. Subsequent sessions include exercises & reflections related to topics like:
- What you are looking forward to?
- What are any fears and apprehensions?
- Are you considering part-time work, consulting, volunteering?
- How may social relationships change?
- Who will accompany you in the next stage?
- What new experiences do you want?
- How do you feel about identity/status outside of work?
- What are your interests and pleasures?
- How will you manage less structured time?
- What will you do for your physical and mental health?
- What will provide everyday purpose?
The aim by session 8 is for clients to develop their own personal retirement plan. I include two follow-up sessions to discuss how the plan is moving along, further reflections and questions.
This guided process gives the client a choice to delve into the topics most important to them. It will be exploratory, thought-provoking and sometimes surprising. My role is to ask the good questions and to provide the right exercises and reflections to help you figure out what you really want – next.
Contact me for a free half-hour consultation to find out more.
Program fee: $1,250 + HST