Retirement Coaching.

How it Worked for Me.

As a practicing and qualified Coach, I was aware that retirement was one of life’s most difficult transitions, and it was not an area for self-coaching.

I decided to work with a coach and I will share with you what the process entailed. We agreed on five sessions over a three month period.

I had begun funding my pension from my mid-thirties, and I was satisfied that I had adequate financial support for the decades ahead. I wanted coaching on the non-financial aspects of retirement.

At the outset the coach reminded me that the transition to retirement was a phased process, to be lived through, and I should anticipate incremental gains rather than arriving at a definite destination with him one day.

When we first met I was in the pre-retirement phase and eagerly anticipating the change in life. He cautioned me that this would be followed by a honeymoon phase ... free at last after a lifetime of following other’s schedule! But free to do what? Without a plan a disenchantment phase can follow. In this phase the retiree may be depressed and long to return to work. Then a reorientation phase would follow to hopefully arrive at a stability phase in which I would be happy and fulfilled. (This model of retirement was proposed by Robert Atchley).

One of the first activities we did together was to write my own retirement speech!. This was an incredible challenge, but very worthwhile in the clarity and focus it provided to me.

When it comes to Retirement for my age group - the "Baby Boomers", that lucky generation born between the ending of the war and the coming of the Beatles - the traditional retirement of rest and leisure is not sufficient.

I was looking for novelty and challenge, and provided my health was ok, I would act accordingly into my seventies.

My Coach helped me to clarify my expectations about retirement. He encouraged and supported me in making a plan, reviewing options and taking action. From this I got a clear picture of my retirement dream.

In the meantime, I have gone on to live most of my Retirement Plan - touching my dreams from time to time!


Please feel free to Contact Myself to find out more about Retirement Coaching.

Back from Retirement Coaching: My Own Experience to Retirement Coaching

Back from Retirement Coaching: My Own Experience to Retirement Planning