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Greetings! This month we've added a new feature to help readers zero in on what they want to do in this next phase of life. The block is entitled "Finding Your Calling." Each time we find a new perspective on discovering your passion or purpose in life, we will share it with you. As author and trainer, David Swartz says: "Life is too short to waste. Dreams are fulfilled only through action, not through endless planning to take action." Our goal is to help you fulfill your dreams!! Happy March, Gail and Ed
------------------------------------------- Don't forget to check what your passion is, click here to take our FREE preliminary passion test, the test we give those who sign up for Discover Your Passion coaching with us. You may find your answers right there. If you want to go further, sign up for the 30-day Explore Your Passion course, which will be available next month. Check out our website, Retired-NextPhase.com. |
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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
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"Old age has its pleasures, though different, are
no less enjoyable than the pleasures of youth."
- W.Somerset Maugham
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RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS TO BE!
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Jerry and Marlene Nightingale from Wickenburg, Az.
No stranger to hard work throughout his life, Jerry still thoroughly enjoys taking on the projects that come his way these days. If you were to spend a day with him, any day, you would find yourself marveling at his obvious enthusiasm for any work effort, especially if it involves physical activity, and his sense of purpose in planning the job down to the very last detail. His projects these days center around his two most obvious passions, continually updating, along with his wife of forty-nine years, Marlene, their magnificent home in the foothills of Wickenburg, Arizona, and making custom doors and furniture for their friends. Jerry was raised in both Oregon and California where he finished high school and then entered the Navy where he learned he had an aptitude for the detailed work of assembling electronic components. Following his discharge from the Navy, he held supervisory positions for a number of medium sized manufacturing firms, married the love of his life, Marlene, who worked at Lockheed, bought a home and settled in the area of Northridge, Calif. That could have been the end of a "they lived happily ever after" story, but that was not the case. That was only the beginning.
Jerry and Marlene, at the suggestion of a friend, took advantage of a real estate promotion trip to Lake Havasau City, Arizona and realized the area was on the verge of exploding as a phenomenal vacation and tourist destination. With that recognition, they purchased their first investment property and started an adventure that preoccupied the next twenty plus years of their lives.
The first vacant lot led to a second property, a new condo, that led to their first piece of commercial property, which soon became an outrageously successful Mexican restaurant that had to be expanded twice within the first three years of opening. Jerry and Marlene started the Taco Hacienda when they realized there was a need, and without any prior experience in running a business or knowing very much about Mexican cuisine, were rewarded with success for their vision, hard work, and pursuit of their passion for having a business of their own. For the first four years of the business, Marlene continued to work at Lockheed and would ferry supplies to Jerry for the restaurant as he developed the business and would go home to Northridge on alternating weekends. They officially moved to Lake Havasau in the fifth year and continued living there for the next thirteen years until they sold the restaurant, but not the property, and moved to Wickenburg, Az. In Wickenburg, they continued to exercise their astute understanding of real estate values and built a handsome portfolio of properties there.
Marlene volunteers at the Habitat For Humanity store and does the same for the Soroptomist organization each week. Jerry now has time to pursue the passion and talent he has for designing and building southwestern furniture and custom doors. He has been blessed with abundant talents, an indefatigable work ethic, a perfect match in Marlene as his wife, and he is now reaping the rewards of it all.
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BOOK REVIEW - DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
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Robert Anthony's book, Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do, is one of the most influential books in my library. It was well worth the time it took to type my underlines and notes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Because of its length, only one part will be presented at a time. ENJOY!!
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
DR. ROBERT ANTHONY
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
1. What, exactly, am I trying to sell? (If you cannot clearly define your product or service, you are going to have a hard time trying to publicize or advertise it.)
2. Is my product or service something people need or want? What specific benefits can I offer?
3. Who is my ideal customer? (Customers fall into various categories according to age, sex, profession, income, etc.)
4. How can I reach these people? (What trade or consumer periodicals, organizations, trade shows, directories, or mailing lists are available?)
5. What kind of competition will I have on a local, regional, or national level?
Beginners, especially those who are still employed elsewhere, should endeavor to devote at least 20 hours per week to starting up their new business. One of best and least expensive methods of advertising involves writing up a press release and sending it to your local newspaper. You can also print and distribute inexpensive fliers, post notices on community bulletin boards, give speeches around town, or join a network of related business owners who are willing to start referring clients your way.
Next month we will cover "CASHING IN ON YOUR MISTAKES."
Read more book summaries on our website. |
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FINDING YOUR CALLING. . .
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I'm fascinated with the various ways people find their passion or purpose or calling in life. Below are articles you may want to click on to read more about what others have done to find their purpose in life.Have You Found Your Calling in Life?
One of the questions I tend to get asked frequently by people who start reading my blog is "How do I find my passion?" or some variation of that question. It's a tough question to answer because there's no real formula for it. It's not "if you do A, you'll find B." It's a question that requires you to look within and usually it's the start of a lengthy, but very fulfilling journey.
* Time Ceases to Exist or Just Flies. I was so caught up in what I was doing that my sense of time had become distorted. Look for when and where this happens in your life and make note of it.
* You no longer distinguish between work and play. When you look at your work and you feel like a kid in candy store or a five year old in a tub of legos, you've probably found your calling.
* You look forward to to every single day, it's a sign that you've found your calling.
* You're addicted to whatever it is you love. Look for your addictions (as long as they're not the kind that kill you).
* You're inexplicably happy in life. Keep your fingers on the pulse of the moments in your life that make you feel like this. Those are the signals that will let you know you've found your calling in life. Class dismissed.
Written on 2/10/2012 by Srinivas Rao. Read more
How to Find Your Passion?
"Doing what you truly love" and "Finding your passion" are common sayings that come from many individuals who want to make a difference in the world.
I think it's important to find something you love doing and to find your passion in life. I think you can do this on a daily basis. This can be shown through your relationships, extra-curricular work, and career.
Have you ever met someone who is doing work which they truly love? Their excitement about their work can be infectious.
These people will probably be quick to tell you that they didn't get their special job overnight, that it took a lot of time and effort and chance encounters to get there. The people who I have heard from will also tell you that the job that they have now and LOVE was not the specific job they had in mind when they started out a long time ago. They turned their interest into a career.
How did they find their passion? Well as a wise friend once told me (who is doing an incredible job doing what he truly loves): Follow the 'Watched Pot Never Boils' principle. If you look for something awesome, it won't come. Just do something and keep moving forward.
Read more....
Three elements to consider for your quality of life in retirement
Question: It looks like I will be facing retirement in the next year, which is sooner than I had anticipated. I am going to be meeting with a financial planner to sort through my financial needs and requirements, but the bigger question for me is how to approach retirement from a quality of life standpoint?
Answer: When work has constituted the bulk of your waking hours, the prospect of retirement can be both exciting and daunting. To shape a lifestyle and a schedule that produces the quality of life you're seeking, Martin Seligman, the chief proponent of positive psychology and author of Authentic Happiness, offers a framework that focuses on three basic types of happiness:
* Flow: This is being wholly absorbed in a task that is neither too easy nor impossibly difficult. It's the experience of getting so caught up in an activity that you lose track of time. You might find this kind of involvement in a project that uses your greatest talent, a sport that you love, or a volunteer experience that fully absorbs you.
* Pleasure: Activities that are enjoyable and pleasing to the senses, Seligman suggests, are central to happiness. Preparing and eating flavorful meals, taking walks and enjoying the sights and sounds of pristine wilderness, and listening to music that touches your soul are examples of potentially pleasurable experiences for you in retirement.
* Meaning: This represents the overall fulfillment that comes from using your strengths in service to something larger than yourself. As you contemplate how to spend your time in retirement, consider societal needs and community causes that you care about. Commit to a legacy that will contribute to the world and bring meaning to your life.
Written by DEB KOEN
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MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
| | CAN YOU PUT THESE EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER ?
- The first mobile phone call is made in New York - Elvis Presley dies at his home in Graceland - Neil Armstrong is the first man to set foot on the moon - The Soviet Union is officially dissolved - The "official" beginning of the Viet Nam war
(ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER)
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TAKE A BREAK AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.....
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BUMPER STICKERS CELEBRATING SENIORS......
"OLD AGE AIN'T FOR SISSIES, SO GET READY FOR THE RIDE."
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Profit From Your Passion - a thirty-day E-course
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Retire to Your Passion!! Treat yourself to a thorough review of all of your likes, dislikes, successes, challenges, and everything that has made you who you are today. Find not only what most interests you but also what your purpose in life is. In thirty lessons, you will unlock the secrets of who you really are. To learn more, visit our website.
Introductory Price: $97 - Six Weekly Teleseminars. AVAILABLE NOW!
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Rightsizing Your Life
|  Imagine finding what you need when you need it! That pair of slacks you wanted to wear...right there on a hangar. Your favorite shoes...sitting neatly on the floor. Getting and staying organized makes every day life easier, and allows you to start the day without feeling so flustered and rushed. It becomes even more important when you are experiencing or preparing for a major home or life transition, whether you are downsizing, rightsizing, divorcing, remarrying, retiring or making a career change. Living only with those things you need and love leaves more time to do the things you love to do, more time to develop your creative side, and more time to explore your passions! Less is much more!
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ANSWERS TO MOVING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK:
- The "official" beginning of the Viet Nam war (1965)
- Neil Armstrong is the first man to set foot on the moon (1969)
- The first mobile phone call is made in New York (1973)
- Elvis Presley dies at his home in Graceland (1977)
- The Soviet Union is officially dissolved (1991)
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Gail Cassidy, gail@coachability.com; (908) 654-5216
http://www.Coachability.com
Ed Topar, edtopar@gmail.com |  |
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