Does this sound like you?
Are you bored?
You probably know a life of passion and fulfillment doesn’t have to end at retirement, but still, the gift of endless free time at retirement can bring unexpected frustration, boredom, confusion, and procrastination. You start to notice (you’re) not as connected to others — and yourself— as you once were.
Do you wish you had a plan?
You may not have a plan for how to get the most out of this next phase of your life. You may have challenges in the areas of family, friends, good health, and other intangibles that too often aren’t discussed, let alone planned for.
Do you feel like it’s too late?
Maybe you feel that it’s too late to live up to your own hopes and dreams. Or, you may have long-held dreams but aren’t certain how to achieve them.
I’m a Retirement Clarity Coach.
For the past 20 years I’ve studied ageism, with an emphasis on ageist language and its harmful effects. I’ve coached individuals to discover approaches to their later lives that bring them joy and transformation. My passion is to inspire and empower individuals to go beyond society’s notion of who we are based on our age.
I’ve explored the inner game of aging and retirement through my own life experiences.
As a matter of fact, I’ve walked my talk
- At 51, I earned my Master of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Administration.
- At 58, I was certified as a Profiting from your Passions Coach.
- At 61, I became a graduate of Visionary Business School.
As a result of some of these remarkable experiences in my later life, one of my core beliefs is this:
We have more to do and the time to do it
This Jane Fonda quote reminds us that the current paradigm is no longer suited to today’s retirees:
This attitude can lower personal expectations.
Research shows that ageism can hurt your health. If people believe that mental and physical deterioration are inevitable, they lose their motivation. This attitude can even hinder our ability to stay involved and continue making significant economic and social impact as we age.
What is Ageism?
We experience Ageism any time someone assumes that we’re “too old” for something—a task, a haircut, a relationship—instead of finding out who we are and what we’re capable of.
DID YOU KNOW?
The geriatrician Robert Butler coined the term “ageism’” in 1969. He defined it as ‘a combination of prejudicial attitudes toward older people, old age, and aging itself.’ He also cites discriminatory practices against elders and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotypes about us.
Rampant Ageism is on the rise, and the current paradigm is no longer suited to today’s retirees.
Introducing Colleen
When I first met Colleen, she was not giving herself credit for her skills and talents. She was running a successful AirBnB in town, as well as a VRBO in the mountains of Oregon. She was teaching group ballroom dance classes as well as private lessons. As you can see, she was a very busy and productive woman earning more than adequate income — And yet, the first thing she ever said to me was, ‘I need a job.’
I should have been surprised, but I wasn’t.
Like many women, Colleen wasn’t giving herself credit
for what she was really worth and what she was already accomplishing!
I asked Colleen a series of thought-provoking questions to discover her underlying beliefs about fun and work and other ideas. She realized, for her, ‘FUN’ and ‘WORK’ are one and the same.
As I guided her through some easy exercises that anyone can do, she began to see her own worth. Gradually, she understood that she was looking at herself through someone else’s eyes.
Ultimately, we redefined her business as a ‘Playness’ and she started seeing both the value, the accomplishments, and the play in her work more realistically. This brought her a great deal of happiness. I’m proud of our work together, and I’m proud of Colleen.
Samela’s laser-focused questions get right to the heart of the matter! The result: “ah-has and clarity!” Thank you Samela for getting me on my path!
Colleen
Retirement is a relatively new concept.
A few generations ago, Elders remained productive members of society. They were relied on by communities and families for their insight, wisdom and skills. But this reliance on the wisdom and experience of elders has diminished in recent times, leading many to feel unsure about the best way to use their ‘Bonus’ years.
Are you asking yourself such questions as:
- Who am I now without my job? I’m not sure how to find a new life balance.
- How do I even begin to make my dreams a reality? I can’t sort through it all.
- How do I stop feeling so lonely? I miss my coworkers/family/old friends.
- What exactly DO I want to do next? I’m so confused.
- Why don’t I ever finish these projects? I’ve got the time.
- Am I too ‘old’ for that? My kids/friends/neighbors all seem to think so.
Retirement Clarity
My company, Your Next Option, arose from my passion for supporting/encouraging transformation in older adults and my determination to help them find clarity in their ‘Bonus’ years.
You can expect the following to change if we work together:
- Shed any limiting beliefs about age
- Find more joy, clarity and creativity
- Take action towards your goals
- Stay social and build new connections
- Spend more time playing and laughing
- Nourish your current and future health
- Take pride in your life experiences
Your Next Option
These are three ways we can work together:
FIND YOUR FOCUS Course
If you are someone who enjoys a self-directed learning experience, you will appreciate my online course. The course outlines core principles and a program for creating a happier retirement. There are eight modules with action steps all along the way. Click Here for details about my Find Your Focus course.
One-on-One CLARITY COACHING
The best part is, creating a fulfilling retirement doesn’t have to be hard. And you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with a retirement coach who’s been there, done that, and come out on the other side having the time of her life, makes the journey of discovery a whole lot easier – and a lot more fun! Click Here for details about Clarity Coaching.
Reinvention with Intention RETREAT
Sometimes working within a group setting can be a powerful motivator for change. The Reinvention with Intention Retreat is a real-time immersive experience where you can completely unplug from your daily world for several days. It will be jam-packed with transformative activities designed to leave you feeling Inspired, Energized and Rejuvenated. You’ll also enjoy free time and relaxing activities (think hot tub and stargazing in the high desert). Click Here for details about my Reinvention with Intention retreat.
A good way to explore whether working with a retirement clarity coach would be helpful for you is to schedule a free Samela Session.