Joan Tabb
Career and Executive Coach
Joan provided a summary of her book, Building Blocks for the NEW Retirement. In her words, she is advocating "ReVitalment" not "retirement". Joan advises that the concept of retiring from a job began in the 1930s and 40s when Social Security was instituted. At that time the estimated life span was much shorter than it is today.
Joan sees the current age of 65 as the beginning of an active phase of post-work life that can last through our 80s until old age sets in during our 90s and beyond. This interim period can be a time for revitalization of our interests, dreams and personal goals.
Through an easy, 8 step process, readers of her book are guided from the inside-out to create a unique and vital plan for your life beyond work that is not limited to a mere "Bucket List."
The 8 steps are:
- Interests: Connect back to your essential self -- your passions, dreams and things that are meaningful and purposeful for you
- Health: Revitalize your appearance as well as your vitality. Be healthy outside and inside.
- Skills: Focus on the activities of your career life that you really enjoy and build upon them.
- Growth: Rekindle your sensitive, spiritual self through activities, experiences or a course of study
- Friends: Sustain vital connections and relationships! A Department of Isolation in the United Kingdom helps create social opportunities for this time of life. Social media is not a quality substitute for the many benefits of live social interaction.
- Service: In the spirit of Rotary, help make the world a better place. Leave a legacy that makes a difference for future generations.
- Explore: Travel on your own, explore new ways of doing things, make new beginnings.
- Action Plan: Get started. Make changes. Create due dates for goals and dreams.
