Second Acts --What do you do for an encore?

Many of us have been doing our jobs years after years. And one day, some of us would wake up and wonder if this is what we want to do? –We need a change! This is where the second acts, what you do for an encore came in. 

“Second Acts looks at the many paths people are taking in their 50s and beyond.” –cited from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833004577251524178931452.html

The article in the Wall Street Journal talked about several figures. A retired cardiologist who found his passion in, after he retired, running a biz of repairing and bookbinding for antique books.–Simply fascinating!

Another former executive from Starbuck, who finds herself enjoying the business of buying and selling stones and handmade jewelry from all over the world and returning 25% of her profits to nonprofit groups. –Simply admirable

Courtesy of Suzie Ivy Author

I also know one author of books, Bad luck Cadet and Bad Luck Officer, who has finally discovered her passion in her forties She joined police academy and now she is living as a police detective. In her own words,

“I became a police officer while suffering a midlife crisis in my forties. I became a detective two years later. My name is Suzie Ivy, a.k.a. “The Bad Luck Detective.” The stories are true and the people real. The names have been changed to protect the GUILTY. Did I mention that my name isn’t really Suzie? “ -- http://badluckdetective.wordpress.com/ --Simply unthinkable!

The key to be able to succeed in second acts lie on the spirit of learning and the courage to take on new challenges. Just like what Alan Alda had once said, "You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself."

What are you going to do for an encore?
Journey of Life

He Wants to Retire…but She Doesn't

“Let's say you have managed to stay married—or even remarried—by the time you hit middle age. Get ready for one more marital hurdle. The odds are your spouse won't feel the same way you do about when to retire. A recent study by Fidelity Investments found that well over half of couples—62%—disagree on the timing of their respective retirements.” –cited from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204571404577255662010466038.html

Interesting! I know that my hubby wants to retire early. Once the girls are done with college, he wants to retire from working in the computer field. He wants to do something he likes; he wants to teach instead. For me, I never thought about retirement, just yet. I love working though once the girls are done with college. I suppose I could take my career a little lighter. I can do whatever what I want. But, still I would miss the income.

courtesy of Lou Brooks

That is exactly what article is saying. Some women couldn’t let their husbands retire before their kids’ colleges are paid off. Another case, for staying home wives, the wives worry that when their husbands retire, they would sit around and interfere with their own activities. The wives love their own space.

Some women couldn’t wait for their spouses to join them and share their times together. Growing old together! But their spouses are not ready just yet.  Still can’t leave the workforce world.

Another thing to think about, now that both are staying home, dividing the chores could be another topic to discuss.--What's for dinner, honey? (The question is which honey :-) )

Those are interesting things to think about. Retirement requires thorough planning and a lot of agreements between the couples. When the empty nest hit and the work are no longer the divider barrier, a lot of time in hands could be good or bad :-) -You tell me!

Interesting journey I say. I hope you really enjoy this visit of thinking about the retirement. Even though, retirement is still a distant away. But, having this thought in mind could ease the road of retirement.

What is your plan for your retirement?

Until next stop,
Journey of Life

What is your brand name?

I recently attended the Women in Technology Forum and hosted a Birds of Feathers session about blogging. We talked about blogging and other passions that we had outside our work and families. It was quite an interesting session, I think. But what I found much more interesting was the talk that I attended by Jo Miller, CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching. Inc. In fact, today I am taking you on a journey to visit the subject of a brand name. --What is your brand name?

When I think of tissues, I think of Kleenex. Even though I may not buy the Kleenex brand, I would call the tissue ‘Kleenex.’ Somehow that brand name has become a noun to me. Even Google has becoming a verb nowadays … Let’s me google it!

How do we want to be known as? A fearless leader? A leader who inspires other leaders? A loving mom? My girl's best friend? --Whatever we choose, we want that brand name to be a positive reflection of us.   

Here is one example of a brand name that may not be so positive. “I am a hard worker.” –Great to know. Since you are one, let me give you some more work to do. You see the point here. Choosing the right brand name could potentially move us to the next level in career. I suggest instead of ‘hard worker,’ perhaps ‘I love challenges.’ –That probably would enable this individual to move up in the ladder to the next rung. Instead of working more, perhaps work on more challenging stuff that can lead to a promotion.

--courtesy of inewsindia.com

I believe a brand name can be applied in either a work-force or a family, or even in our society. Now the challenge is to find our own brand name that fits us charmingly. Afterward, we need to communicate our brand names, even advertise them via whatever means we are choosing.

Having  the right brand name could possibly enable us to be known the way we want to be known. Having  the right brand name could trigger a positive reflection on us and when need be, it can be served as a reminder to what we want to be known as.

As Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, J.D., L.L.M., Senior Vice President & Chief Tax Officer, Wal-Mart once said,

“When I'm in the throes of a difficult decision, I often go back to that (brand) statement, and test my reaction to the situation by the statement.  Does my reaction measure up to who it is that I represent myself to be?

There have been moments in which I was going to pursue a course that was not particularly courageous but was expedient; and I realized that that was not what I stand for. I regrouped and refocused and proceeded in a way that was more courageous.”

I hope you enjoy this journey with me visiting, ‘What is your brand name.’ Tell me, what is your brand name?

Until next stop,
Journey of Life