Encore Careers: Expand Your Thinking About How You Might Make a
Difference
There are many different ways we can make a contribution in our
encore careers. Often, we think of volunteering when we think of giving
back. And, while there's nothing wrong with volunteering -- worthy
non-profit organizations everywhere survive and thrive because of their
volunteers -- I was reminded this week by one of my coaching clients of
one powerful and very different way of making a difference on the
planet.
Rose and I have been working together for four months, and this week she
had a major breakthrough around her encore career. When we began our
coaching relationship, she didn't know what she wanted to do, but Rose
was certain that whatever it was, it had to include some kind of
contribution.
In our very first session, Rose announced that she thought she would
like to join the Peace Corps and put her talents to work in a third
world country when she retires. So, it won't surprise you to find out
that Rose's entire 34-year career has been spent in various helping
professions. For the past 12 years, she's been the Executive Director of
a non-profit that provides independent living situations for mentally-
and emotionally-challenged adults. She loves her work and the people she
helps, and at the same time, she comes home drained and exhausted at the
end of each day.
Rose plans to retire in four years, and is fortunate that she will not
have to earn an income to meet her financial requirements. She does want
to continue to be productive and is on the path to discover a
meaningful, fulfilling way to continue to contribute in this next stage
of life.
Over the last four months, Rose has identified her values, as well as
many of her needs, wants, and desires. Yesterday, her long-buried dream
of becoming an artist was uncovered. As a child and into her teens she
loved to paint, but put that aside to go to college and get a "real"
job.
How did this long-lost dream lead to her new breakthrough? Rose realized
that the specific way she has served others during her career has caused
her to feel burnt out and yearning for a big change. She was stunned by
the realization that she could express herself artistically and make a
completely different kind of "difference" by creating works of beauty.
This notion of "giving back" by creating beauty for the enjoyment of
others did not fit into her traditional definition of this term.
Moreover, she doesn't have to wait until she retires to start to pursue
her art. She plans to set up an easel in the corner of her den, purchase
some materials, and find a painting class where she can relearn some of
the basics.
Best of all, she's excited about -- and looking forward to -- her
future. Is there some form of creative expression that you've been
longing to try? What's one small step you can take today to begin?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Encore Career Coach
Coach Lin Schreiber, author of the popular ABC's of Revolutionizing
Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next
stage of life, formerly known as "retirement," by designing a new encore
life that includes a fulfilling
encore
career. To claim your free Encore Career Starter Kit,
visit her site at =====>
http://www.EncoreCareerStarterKit.com
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