Posts by inspired_admin

It occurred to me, while writing a recent book review for the PeopleTalk magazine, that so much of our lives are influenced by the contents and the dynamics of the conversations we have.  My book review was primarily focused on Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results by Judith E. Glaser. This book explains that we all have biases in our minds that shape our perceptions which in turn affect how we react, respond and interact with others.  When we are aware of those biases, we are more likely to be able to converse in the spirit of transparency, to be fully present and to uncover some of the unstated assumptions that sometimes block the truth from coming to light. The centerpiece of Glaser’s book – the Conversational...

It’s not uncommon for me to hear “I’ve never heard of retirement coaching” when I interact with a boomer. Some think that it is about getting advice on how one “should” retire. Having been a life transitions and certified retirement coach for several years, I can certainly say “it’s not about advice”. What is it then? It’s a structured process that includes focused, insight generating conversations, pertinent information about this major work/life transition, assessments and tools, all of which serve to foster a shift into expanded perspectives, to partner with potential, and to develop a clear, engaging, values-based vision of one’s life beyond “retirement”. It’s about supporting a leadership approach so that you lead your life from what matters most to you, not...

Remember the days when campaigns like Participation would encourage us to exercise 3 times a week for 20 minutes? Well, now research emphatically shows it is not enough. The World Health Organization and the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines now recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity per week. One of our local fitness experts Ron Zalko, now 64, affirms that exercise can help prevent many diseases including diabetes and cancer. He also points out that a landmark study published in the Lancet Neurology last year showed that even just one hour of exercise per week can help prevent dementia in eldership years. While in Ontario last year I read an article quoting a study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine which found that those 150...

Perhaps you are among the people who know that New Year’s resolutions are not likely to be sustained through the year. Indeed by the end of March, most have forgotten about resolutions they may have made. The wise understand that it’s much better to review our core values, set intentions and apply course correction to make the most of our journey through the year. In the course of leading my seminars for boomers who want to re-engage rather than merely “retire”, I’ve observed that many of them are intent on making more time for exercising to become more fit. They know that as we age, it is even more important to actively invest time and effort in maintaining our health and stamina. A few weeks ago, I also decided I wanted to upgrade my commitment to fitness but...

After February each year, many people in mid-life and beyond feel the satisfaction of having made a contribution towards their future financial security in retirement. But then, what else is there among imperatives to consider in preparation for that future “retirement”? Hopefully, you would rather envision a fulfilling and dynamic re-engagement than merely retire. During my Beyond Retirement seminar at SFU on February 21st, participants truly appreciated the framework and interactive process I provided while presenting and discussing the 10 success factors of this major work/life transition. If you would like to attend this event or a similar one, new opportunities will come in the next few months and in the fall. If you work for an organization that employs a...