Hello {!firstname}:

Our 20th anniversary trip was everything we hoped it would be – and more. In the past few years, we had talked about going back to Paris where Richard proposed to me in 1988, or celebrating in Mexico City (where we spent our first anniversary on the vacation from h*ll, and last year Richard fell in love with the city now that he's traveling there regularly on business), or my big dream of taking a romantic trip to Thailand.

The economy not withstanding, the truth is that while all those trips sound great on paper, Richard has spent the last 18 months traveling non-stop, I've done my fair share of airplane travel, and what we really yearned for was a stress-free, relaxing, fun time together re-connecting with an easy "commute".

So, we drove 2+ hours to Boston, settled in at the Westin Copley right in the center of Back Bay, and had one of our best anniversary trips ever. We saw extraordinary exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts (Karsh) and the Institute of Contemporary Art (Tara Donovan); caught up on our movie-going both in the theatres and in our room (Milk, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Doubt); breakfasted at Charley's every day; saw Judy Gold at the (new to us) Wimberly Theatre at Boston Center for the Arts and laughed until we cried; ate great meals, read great books, had great conversations; and, celebrated 20 wonderful years of marriage.

The cobalt blue bottle above, by artist Jeff Crandall, was an anniversary gift from Richard. It has "DREAMS" carved into the glass in large letters. Beneath, it says, "Drink deeply and believe." It now sits on the corner of my desk with morning light pouring through it reminding me daily that my DREAM is to help you live your DREAM.

To your endless possibilities!

Lin Schreiber, Retirement Revolutionary

Here is the Wall Street Journal article I was interviewed for that finally ran in the December 12th Encore Section. Read about retirement coaching – and one client's success – here. 

The deadline for Older, Bolder & Better in Costa Rica is less than a month away!

Thinking of a getaway vacation to somewhere warm this winter? How about 7 days and 6 nights in beautiful, exotic Costa Rica with a small group of like-minded women? Would you like to explore new territory (external and internal), drink in the beauty of this amazing country, and reignite your passion, with plenty of time for reflection and recharging your batteries?

We'll spend three nights in a cloud forest, two nights on the Caribbean coast, and a final night of celebration in San Jose – all in luxury accommodations at an affordable price – from March 29th to April 4th. There will be volcanoes, waterfalls, butterflies, dripping rain forests, Venice-like canals, and an array of exotic flora and fauna. I've woven into this fabulous Costa Rica vacation a moving feast of experiences that will be enlightening, enlivening, empowering, and downright fun!

Come celebrate Costa Rica, and the Older, Bolder, Better Woman that you are! For everything you need to know, check out the Hibiscus Tours for Women brochure.

DEADLINE FOR BOOKING THIS TERRIFIC RETREAT IS FEBRUARY 2nd.
 

Can’t Afford to Retire? 5 Ways to Rethink Working So It Works For You

by Lin Schreiber, Retirement Coach

Does the state of the economy have you rethinking your retirement? Are you convinced that you'll have to work at least seven years after you're dead before you can afford to retire? Has the challenge/joy/thrill of what you do long since departed, yet you feel you're stuck in your current job? Do you feel that you can't keep doing what you’ve been doing, the way you’ve been doing it, but are filled with doubts about making a job or career change?

Would you like to do work that you love, and have a healthier balance between work and the rest of your life – for the rest of your life? It's definitely possible. All it requires is a fresh perspective and the discarding of some old, decrepit, limiting beliefs. You can rewire your thinking by realizing that:

1. You don't have to keep doing what you're doing. Maybe you're really good at it, but you just don't like it any more – or you never did. Perhaps you've grown bored with your work. Or, it could be you're simply ready for a change.

You may feel stuck, but you're not. You can choose to find work that's aligned with your values, allows you to express yourself fully (yes, ALL of you!), and fulfills some greater purpose – work that challenges you, pulls you out of bed in the morning, and lights you up.

It will take pushing outside your comfort zone, being proactive, and living bigger and bolder. You can do it.

2. You don't have to buy into the conventional wisdom about what is and is not possible. Who says you can't find a great job, or start a successful business, or write a best-selling book in this economy?

What employer wouldn't want someone with your experience, talent, resources, skills, wisdom and gifts? What service or product is the world in need of, that only you can provide? Who couldn't learn from or be entertained by the words that only you can write?

If you're planning on being conventional, then you may as well resign yourself to more of the same old same old. Otherwise, take the lid off and start believing that anything is possible. Then, go out and show the world that it is.

3. You don't have to start over at the bottom. But you can find a new challenge. Start by looking for it in your current company.

If it's past time for you to get out, then look for that challenge in a new company. But, don't even think of approaching your job search in any – here's that word again – conventional way. This is where you'll want to get rid of the box altogether, and get really creative in how you approach prospective employers.

Years ago, I interviewed for a Producer job at WGBH-TV in Boston. I was the perfect person for the job (how's that for confidence?) and I made it through the second interview. When I didn't hear back in a few days, I called to find out if I was still in the running, then promptly hand-delivered a large box to the Executive Producer. In it she found a mannequin leg with a thigh high black and white stocking, a big red bow tied around the top of the stocking, and a note that said: "Let me get my foot in the door and you won’t be sorry!" I got the job. My out-of-the-box tweak pushed her over the edge, and convinced her that the job was mine.

Or, maybe you're yearning to be self-employed. Go for the challenge of starting your own business. Find your passion, do your homework, research the market, find your ideal audience, and take the leap.

4. You don't have to prove yourself. Honestly, how many times in your working life have you felt the need to prove yourself? Since you've been there and done that, declare "enough!" Instead, make a list of all your many qualities, capabilities, abilities, skills, experiences, and talents. Own them. You've earned every single one of them – most likely the hard way. Now use this list to build confidence in yourself, and what you can do.

5. You don't have to go back to school, unless you really want to. If the idea of learning something new that will catapult you into a new career turns you on, great. There is, however, a lot to be said for experience, and don't you already have plenty of that? Take the time to explore all the many options available to you. Yes, you have options – lots of options! Uncover long-buried dreams, dust them off, and see if they still fit. Discover what you love, combine that with what you're good at that you love doing, and voila, you'll find what’s next.

So, throw out those old ways of thinking, re-ignite your confidence, and get started on creating work that works for you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you keep it intact and include this blurb with it:  Certified Retirement 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."  To claim your copy of her free popular Revolutionize Retirement Starter Kit, visit her site at http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com.

At last, a book that celebrates our beauty, history and wisdom as we age. In Wise Women: A Celebration of Their Insights, Courage, and Beauty, photographer Joyce Tenneson captures women (some famous, most not) in their 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's in all their magnificent glory.
 

Lin Schreiber is a Retirement Revolutionary who loves helping self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement."  Like Lin, her clients have a positive vision for the future, and the idea of riding off into the sunset for the next 30-40 years isn't in the picture.

She is a sought after speaker, Professional Certified Coach and Certified Retirement Coach.  Through her business, Revolutionize Retirement^(TM), she delivers her comprehensive coaching programs to individuals over the phone, and to groups at her Boot Camp live events.  Combining her contagious enthusiasm, non-stop energy, and passion for her subject, Lin creates a fun, dynamic learning environment that energizes and inspires her audiences.

Lin is featured on the PBS series Boomers^(TM): Redefining Life After Fifty, and is the author of The ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement.

Contact her at  www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com.

""Break the monotony. Do something strange and extravagant!" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Come to Costa Rica with me March 29th – April 4th!)
 

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