Hello {!firstname}:

Summer has (finally!) arrived in New England with blue skies, sunshine and my garden in full bloom. The sun broke through all those rain clouds over the 4th of July weekend, and I managed to spend two glorious hours in my postage stamp sized city garden. And, it really made a difference. With a little bit of effort, it went from overgrown jungle to beautiful summer oasis.

This week’s article is about finding the opportunity when life throws you a curve ball. I’ve dodged plenty of those in my life. Right now, though, I’m taking the opportunity to enjoy summer here in the Berkshires, and at the same time I’m seizing some of the great opportunities that are just showing up on my doorstep, like the phone call asking me to bring The WOW Zone to live internet talk radio on the Voice America network.

It’s the right time, and I find myself in the right place to go for it. I’ll keep you posted as we put together the first 13 shows, and I’m going to ask for your help in creating an awesome viral marketing campaign in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

To your endless possibilities!

Lin Schreiber, Retirement Revolutionary

I’ll be making my third appearance on John Krol’s radio show Good Morning Pittsfield on WTBR 89.7 FM on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 a.m. ET, and we’re taking it way outside the box. Instead of just another radio interview, John’s agreed to take the PRINT® Survey and let me debrief him on the air. How daring is that? :-)

The PRINT® is an online assessment that takes 15-20 minutes to complete, provides you with your Major and Minor personality prints in an impressive report that most clients report “nails them”, and is a powerful and dynamic tool for personal growth.

I’ll have to put on “real” clothes and make-up, because it will also air on local TV Channel 17 in Pittsfield. Not to worry if you can’t listen or watch. I’ll have an MP3 for you to download and listen to in the next issue.

Finding the Opportunity When in Crisis

by Lin Schreiber, Retirement Coach

Of course retirement is scary. Whether you’ve chosen to retire -- or been forced to -- you still find yourself facing the great unknown. The current economy makes it even scarier.

At the same time you have an amazing opportunity. Do you realize you have a blank canvas on which to create the rest of your life -- even if you have to continue working? Instead of focusing on the scary parts, what if you began focusing on the possibilities?

This is your chance to get it right, but you’ll need to give yourself permission to discover what’s in your heart, and uncover what you really want to do.

Claire had spent her entire life taking care of everyone around her, and over the years had lost touch with herself. When she was given 12 months notice that she would be “retired” from her job after 17 years of service, she didn’t waste one minute being angry or upset. Claire realized that her forced “retirement” was a blessing in disguise, and it gave her the time she needed to explore what might be next for her.

As we worked together, she started stretching outside her comfort zone by doing some fun things she’d always wanted to do like taking motorcycle lessons and her first vacation by herself. As her confidence began to build, she discovered her entrepreneurial spirit, and three months before she left her job, she launched her own business -- a concierge relocation business that incorporates what she’s always done with what she most loves to do.

What if, unlike Claire, you’re “retired” with no notice? What if you’re pushed out before you’ve had a chance to figure out what’s next? Don’t panic.

Remember Darlene from my the last issue of LWTBO, and how instead of leaping into any job, she took some time to recharge? Then, within a couple of weeks she had four job interviews, two job offers, and took one of them? Well, what I didn’t tell you is that while she was recharging she discovered that she, too, wanted to start her own business. She decided to turn her love of quilting into a business, but felt that she “wasn’t quite ready” and “needed to start making money again” once she had taken some time off.

After a few months in the new job, though, Darlene saw clearly that she really wanted to work for herself, so she left the job, and committed herself full-time to launching her business -- an online quilt fabric store. She’s about to go live with her dream, and she’s happier than she’s been in years.

You, too, may discover you want to be your own boss. Or, you may realize you love what you do, but want to transform how and where you’re doing it. Or perhaps you’ll uncover a long-buried dream, and make it come true. The only way you’ll know is to take some time to find out.

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 ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement. To claim your free Revolutionize Retirement Starter Kit, visit her site at http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com.

As you know, I’m a big fan of You Tube, and anything that makes me smile. Check out this one minute, 15 second video, and watch the whole thing! :-)

Lin is featured on the PBS series Boomers™: Redefining Life After

Check out my latest Embarking on Your Encore Career blog on REAL Powered by Humana and you could win a really cool prize:

How to Get Started on Your Own Business

If you’re one of the first two people to post your story on the How to Get Started blog, you’ll win a “Do-It-Yourself Business Launch” package valued at $197! Be sure to leave your email address when you post your story, so the REAL folks can send you instructions for how to get your package!

"It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts."

~ K. T. Jong

Pay it forward!

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™, 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™: Redefining Life After Fifty, and is the author of The ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement.

Contact her at www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com.

Pay it forward!

Share the Living With the Brakes Off bi-weekly brakes-free living (in this next stage of life formerly called "retirement") with your colleagues and business associates.

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