Month: November 2017

It is our mission at Lifelaunch Consulting to help others define their ‘next’ with purpose and intention, and to celebrate as a new chapter unfolds. As part of this, we are highlighting our friends who have successfully navigated the move from ‘now’ to ‘next’ and are thriving as a result! It is our hope that by sharing these stories, we inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.

Name:

Harvey Hook

My pre-retirement career:

I spent 3+ decades as an entrepreneurial, community-based, non-profit leader, creating opportunities of people and communities to thrive, both in the world of urban at-risk youth (Greater Columbus Youth for Christ), as well as highly successful business, professional and government leaders (The Gathering/Columbus & Rela Leadership). Those opportunities allowed me to engage and deliver best practices people across the entire spectrum of socio-economic, education, religious, political and ethnic categories.

Three ways I spend my time in my ‘next’ chapter:

#1 – I am not retiring. My new full time pursuit is pursuing my new full time pursuit. My entire career has been “doing what I love,” so there’s a sense in which I’ve never had a real job. I’ve always pursued my passion and my purpose through my work. I am pursuing those opportunities that will allow me to leverage my extensive background in community engagement, philanthropic advocacy and leadership development.

#2 – I’m reading and reflecting on the writings of, community development expert and apostle, Dr. John M. Perkins, “Let Justice Roll Down,” in addition to the contemplative writings of Richard Rohr, “Falling Upward.”

#3 – I’m listening to God, family, friends and trusted advisors, and talking to scores of people in pursuit of my “What’s Next.”

What I love most about retirement:

I have time at the moment to fully focus on myself, in the most positive of ways. I am using it to continue to grow and learn as a person, husband and father.

My biggest challenge with retirement:

Being one of “those type A personalities,” not knowing what my next career looks like is my biggest challenge. I want to be able to give all of myself to something much larger than my capacities, which will allow me to leverage the time, talent and resources of others in order to create opportunities for people and communities to thrive.

What I did to prepare for retirement:

I’ve been a good listener most of my life. Therefore I prepared for this transition by having a good understanding of my identity apart from any job or career. Plus, a large part of life is about living out one’s purpose, and retirement, in that sense, is never an option.

Something I’ve recently done for the first time:

I spent 30 minutes reading to my 18 month old grandson, and realized there is nothing better in life than spending simple, quiet time with those you love most.

Most recent book/article I’ve read:

My most recent book: “Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life,” by Richard Rohr.

My future:

The future is unknown, and yet the future really is the present. The present is all we ever have, so I am attempting to experience each moment and each relationship to the fullest right here, right now. Now that being said, I am pursuing new career opportunities that will allow me to thrive in the areas of my purpose, passion, gifting and relationships.

My advice for those preparing for the transition from ‘now’ to ‘next’:

Do one “healthy” thing for yourself each day. Do 10 loving things for those you know and those you don’t know, every day as well. The only way we get and remain healthy is to give ourselves away in service to others. And remember, “Seek first the Kingdom of God……and all things…..all things will be added to you.”

It is our mission at Lifelaunch Consulting to help others define their ‘next’ with purpose and intention, and to celebrate as a new chapter unfolds. As part of this, we maintain a blog featuring our friends who have successfully navigated the move from ‘now’ to ‘next’ and are thriving as a result! It is our hope that by sharing these stories, we inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.

Name:

Susan Somers

My pre-retirement career:

I worked at AT&T where I had opportunities working in sales, sales management, training & development and human resources. At the time of departure from AT&T, my job was supporting a global sales force in the area of human resources, whose clients were large corporations headquartered in Ohio. I was fortunate in that at the age of 42, I was pension and benefits eligible due to my 25 year tenure, so a part of my retirement package was a stipend to start my own business (which I took full advantage of). Post-AT&T retirement, I worked for Saks Fifth Avenue for almost five years, as Talent Development Director.

As Founder of WhenYouNeedHR, my focus today is in establishing and maintaining the HR responsibilities for smaller companies. These small business owners are actively trying to run all aspects of their business, so there is no time to read up on the ever-changing employment laws. I offer a unique service via a monthly retainer in support of all-things HR for them, taking that monkey off their back so they can stay passionate about what they do best…growing their business!

Three ways I spend my time in retirement:

1. A good amount of my time is spent focusing on my business. I work with a really fun employment attorney (Mindi Wells) who has a significant amount of hands-on HR experience. Together we facilitate monthly lunch & learn workshops with topics that were requested by our audience and have a focus of continuous learning for HR folks. Additionally, we have developed a “Supervisor Success Series”, a three-part learning workshop, highly attended by newly promoted managers and experienced managers who work for businesses in Columbus and the surrounding communities. We have established a really cool following of businesses who have adopted our series of workshops as part of their on-boarding and developmental best practices for managers.

2. I am called on to give career advice to young people who are starting out, so I have had more frequent requests in this area, it seems. Many times it’s to coach them for an upcoming interview or to review their resume. I find it interesting when more often than not I hear the words “I just don’t know what I want to do the rest of my life”. My advice is always to cut themselves some slack for not knowing, give thought to and then pursue things they have an interest in. It can’t just be all about the money and the title at this point; that will come. Sometimes we just need to give permission. What’s that phrase? Something like “You will never work a day in your life if you love what you do.”

3. In my spare time I travel whenever the opportunity presents itself, I hang with my adult children and my 3 parents, I hang with girlfriends, love to cook, love to garden, I walk, I listen to live jazz bands, I listen to Audible books, I meditate and so so so much more. I am living the dream! “Retiring” has been life-changing and I highly recommend it. It’s nowhere close to being “the end” at all – it’s simply the beginning of something new! And it’s great, BTW!

What I love most about retirement:

Not having to follow such a rigid schedule. Listening to the traffic report on TV and knowing I will not have to fight traffic to get to work at 8:00 a.m. Not having to answer to someone who is the boss of me on the org chart. Choosing how my day plays out. Surrounding myself with people who bring out my best. I realize I am incredibly fortunate, but I chose this path and have deliberately made my way. This alone continues to empower me throughout my life.

My biggest challenge with retirement:

I am not sure I have had any significant challenges up to this point…things play out and things work out for the most part again, because I know I am in control of this in every way.

What I did to prepare for retirement:

I began to network like crazy, discovering what changes small business owners were feeling with the upturn in the economy. I came up with a creative name for my business and created a logo and a website. I subscribed to Business First and took notice of the many goings-on around Columbus. And the reality of this is that I did nothing to really “prepare” for what we have always felt “retirement” is, but prepared for what I could achieve in this next phase of my life. Big difference and much more rewarding!

Something I’ve recently done for the first time:

I am learning how to paint with oils! One of my clients has an employee who is also an incredibly talented artist; she offers lessons each week to anyone who wants to learn. It is a blast and it’s something I never thought I would be good at. But she helps me become better with each passing week and for that, I am grateful. No doubt, the wine selection on paint nights is also helping me become better. 😊

Most recent book/article I’ve read:

“Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty. Soooooooo good in print! Netflix series was excellent, but the book is way better.

My future:

I would like to believe the following words will describe my future: gratefulness, certain, authentic, joyous, untroubled, positive, assured, secure, steady, content, indebted, fulfilled, unworried

It is our mission at Lifelaunch Consulting to help others define their ‘next’ with purpose and intention, and to celebrate as a new chapter unfolds. As part of this, we maintain a blog featuring our friends who have successfully navigated the move from ‘now’ to ‘next’ and are thriving as a result! It is our hope that by sharing these stories, we inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.

Name:

Kathie Houchens

My pre-retirement career:

Spanish Instructor at the Ohio State University

Three ways I spend my time in retirement:

As a Spiritual Director (in one-on-one sessions and as a group spiritual process), writing (poetry, fiction, children’s stories, memoir), watercolor painting, gardening, playing music (organ, piano, dulcimer), practicing yoga and ballet. (Sorry, that is way more than three!)

What I love most about retirement:

Waking up every day excited to dive into activities that bring me joy.

My biggest challenge with retirement:

Slowing down and not jumping into every exciting option that I am offered.

What I did to prepare for retirement:

Trained to become a spiritual director, established an exercise routine that I enjoy and will stick with, bought watercolor paints and instructional videos and began to practice.

Something I’ve recently done for the first time:

Acquired a hammered dulcimer, yet another instrument I will learn to play! And, I submitted a fiction short story to a contest for unpublished writers.

Most recent book/article I’ve read:

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, not the most recent, but one of the most helpful. I also read Anything by Richard Rohr and Cynthia Bourgeault, also Diana Butler Bass and Mark Nepo.

My future:

Stay alive as in active, alert and energized physically, mentally and spiritually. Keep giving myself away to causes and opportunities that spread love and peace, understanding and kindness.

My advice for future retirees:

There is no “formula” for doing this. Slow down at least once a year and take a week to yourself for discernment about where you are and where you are headed. I have to leave town to do this, but I always come back renewed and revitalized.

It is our mission at Lifelaunch Consulting to help others define their ‘next’ with purpose and intention, and to celebrate as a new chapter unfolds. As part of this, we maintain a blog featuring our friends who have successfully navigated the move from ‘now’ to ‘next’ and are thriving as a result! It is our hope that by sharing these stories, we inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.

Name:

Virginia Macali

My career:

My business, High Point Transitions, was founded to support people through change and transition. I started by coaching people in mid-life career transitions, advanced into coaching and leadership development, and now include coaching pre-retirees to plan for the next life chapter. Prior to that, I worked as a lawyer in public policy.

Three ways I spend my time in retirement:

Work, volunteer activities, and creative pursuits.

What I love most about retirement:

Having a lifetime of experience and wisdom and using it to make a difference.

My biggest challenge with retirement:

So many choices.

What I did to prepare for retirement:

Self-reflection, reading about aging, conversations with friends, and experimenting with new activities.

Something I’ve recently done for the first time:

Joined Urban Sketchers to explore creativity with others.

Most recent book/article I’ve read:

Smart Women Don’t Retire—They Break Free.

My future:

Continuing meaningful work and volunteer opportunities, spiritual deepening, lifelong learning, writing, and engaging in communities of care.

My advice for future retirees:

Take your time, explore a wide range of options, find meaning and connectedness, experiment, and enjoy the journey.