Articles
LIFE COACH CHALLENGES PEOPLE IN TRANSITION TO SET GOALS AND FIND FULFILLMENT
by Dr. Jeannie Campanelli
When one is willing and eager, the gods join in.
Today's society is now teeming with many baby boomers who are in the position to retire at an early age from careers they began in their twenties. Through the experience of time and the personal growth they have undergone from the ups and downs of life's journey, many up-and-coming retirees have shifted their life's goals into new arenas. Many may not be clear about their dreams for the future because for years they were programmed to ignore their needs and instead take care of other people's dreams as a parent, employer, or responsible breadwinner. Others may not want to retire from the work force; they simply want to switch gears - to the career they have always wanted - instead of the ones they got locked into for reasons of security or other circumstances. Some have dreams that may seem just that - a dream - but out of reach for 'them'.
Regardless of the perspective from which a retiree views the world (and there are many more than the ones named above), some questions that must be showing up for this generation at this particular stage in their lives are: "What's next? What will bring me the fulfillment that I deserve in the latter part of my life? What am I going to do differently when I no longer have the five-day work structure that I had for all of my adult years? Now what will be the best way for me to structure my time? What action plan do I need to put in place in order to get what I really want?"
Take some time to consider what kind of role a coach can play during this important transition period. Coaches help people not only to clarify their goals, but actually encourage them to set higher goals - to do more with their lives than they actually would normally have done on their own. And, unlike a consultant, a coach stays with the client to make sure these goals are actually realized.
If you are a new or up-and-coming retiree, the coaching relationship can build momentum and get you results. With a coach, you take yourself more seriously. You take more focused and effective action immediately. You take a stand against what stops you from getting what you want. Accountability, structure, support, commitment to you and your dreams - these are the gifts a coach offers.
Do you remember the genie from childhood we believed would grant us our dearest wishes? What is the truth about that age-old myth? From my experience as a coach and an active member of the human race on her own life journey, getting in touch with and freeing our true heart's desire creates magic. I believe there is an energy or force in our universe that wants us to get what we want and actually will help us make it happen. There is a catch in order for us to take hold of this powerful force that either comes from out there or from within us. We must be clear about what we desire, ask for it, and then take action from that place of clarity and power in order to make it happen.
Often people need to expect more out of their lives. What better time is there than in your senior years to take stock and do an about-face turn in the directions your life might go without clear intention?
What would be your wish?
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Dr. Jeannie Campanelli, Ed.D., CPCC is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach. She has a doctorate in Applied Psychology from the University of Toronto with a focus on human development and change. A significant focus in her partnering with clients is relationships, particularly relationship with self. She is currently authoring a book on inner power and self-confidence. Visit her websites:www.innerconfidencecoaching.com
www.coachingcircles.ca
www.menfullyrelating.com