I finally said it out loud - I'm retired from my consulting career

While talking with my younger son on Sunday afternoon I finally said it out loud - "I've decided to not do any more consulting work. I'm retired from that career." We were shooting pool on a rainy afternoon before he flew home to S. CA and it just popped out. He asked if I would want to do any more work in that area. I said not really. He then asked if I would be interested in joining his brother and himself and their sweeties in a business venture and I said yes.

What do they say about when one door closes another opens? It has been so hard for me to say I wasn't going to do anymore of the work I have done for 30+ years. I have asked Hubby if he was ok with me stopping the part time work I had been doing on a project basis for the last few years - and he is ok with that. Now I just have to tell my employer LOL. Saying I wasn't working on the spring project due to our son's wedding and my eye surgeries was one thing. Closing the door on future work is another. But I will do it and move on, as I am finally ready!

Part 2: Preparing for Retirement - Do you plan to work?

My Hubby plans to work for pay after he "retires" after 20 years in his current job. I joke that it is because he can't even get through a three day weekend in town without going into the office because he can't think of anything else to do. All his hobbies/interests have fallen by the wayside. While I honestly think that is part of his reason for wanting to continue to work I do believe the real reasons are that he finds his work very interesting, has great colleagues and enjoys what he does. Most of us aren't so lucky.

Then there are those who have a choice between working and being broke. I'd work too in that situation. NPR is doing a series on working in retirement years and this is the latest article -When a bad economy means working forever.

It is interesting that even this person talks about the non-financial benefits of working - being around people, continuing to learn, etc. I'd like those things but I don't want to be tied to a work schedule right now. Perhaps when seeing family members no longer requires travel across the country I'll be more interested. I would like the other benefits though and am looking for ways to build them into my life along with more structure to my days.

Do you expect to work for pay after retirement age either because you want to or because you will need the income?

Reality check - Lunch with former colleagues

I just got home from a lovely lunch with former colleagues who are still working full time. Yes, their energy levels were high, they get lots of satisfaction and social interaction from their - and I truly have no desire to get back on that treadmill although the bit of consulting I do suits me just fine. I do want and need more of all the feelings they expressed but I will find ways to structure my non-working hours to produce it.  Good to know finally.

So, how to create more energy, satisfaction and social interaction in my life? How are others who are retired or semi-retired making that happen for them?

Its lovely to be home

It is a beautiful fall day here in Atlanta and as much as I enjoyed my business trip I am glad to be sitting at home. The trip was great in terms of the work being rewarding, loving seeing colleagues I have known for 10 years and really like, a fun group dinner, a visit to the interesting small Rockwell Western Art Museum and travel going as planned. I got a very thorough and excited greeting from our resident pooch when I finally got home at 12:20am this morning! Nothing like enthusiasm for your very existence to cheer the day. Not to say Hubby wasn't happy to see me but he really wanted to go back to sleep and I don't blame him.

Today I am just going to enjoy a slow day and probably take a nap lol. What are your plans for Friday?

Combining business travel and tourism

Tomorrow I am heading to Corning, NY on a business trip and this time I will have some unscheduled hours available. I'm going to head to the Rockwell Museum as I haven't been there in the 10+ years I have been making this trip. Its an easy walk from where I will be working and I'm excited to be able to add a new experience to this trip. I love art and, although this art is not the type I generally am attracted to, I am sure it will be very interesting.

Have you been able to combine business or family visit trips with tourism without extending your stay in a location?

What kind of jobs have you held during your life?

In honor of Labor Day let's think about the jobs we have had during our lifetimes.  Here's my list of paid work.

Babysitter
Department Store Clerk
Biology/Biochemistry lab assistant (mostly a bottle washer LOL)
Data Collector
Elementary School Teacher's Aide
Clerk
Dental School Equipment Assistant
Research Assistant
Mental Health Facility Staff
Grad School Teaching Assistant
College Instructor
Training Dept.Manager
Organizational Development Consultant and Dept. Manager
Consulting Business Owner
Executive Coach

I'm sure I missed some. One job I never held that surprises me is Waitress. I haven't listed the unpaid work - parent, housekeeper, cook, gardener, seamstress, dog trainer/walker, etc. And the volunteer work - PTA President, Band Boosters officer, Friends of the Library President, event volunteer many times over, etc.

Think about your working life. What have you "labored" at? What would you do again because you found it interesting or enjoyable? What do you wish you had done? What do you plan to do still?

Nice clients, fun colleagues, successful trip - and I'm worn out!

I am back home after my whirlwind business trip which was chock full of meetings with really nice clients and fun dinners (and perhaps too much wine LOL) with interesting and lovely colleagues I have seen twice a year for about 10 years now as we all work on this project.  Some new colleagues too who were very nice and fun.  Even travel, including connecting flights, went smoothly.  As usual when I woke up this morning however I am pooped!

So my plans for the day are minimal.  I've already been to get a latte and to the library and picked up some reading and an interlibrary loan copy of Rightsizing Your Home: How To Make Your House Fit Your Lifestyle by Gale C. Steves (in my attempt to bring no more clutter into the house, I did not buy a used copy!).  I'll let you know how worthwhile I think it is. 

My quick trip to the library ended up taking 2+ hours.  I stopped by the library foundation offices for a 2 minute chat with the Director and we talked for about 1 1/2 hours - such an interesting person who is quickly becoming a friend.  Then I went to transact a bit of Friends of the Library business and ran into a fellow board member and chatted with her - another friend in the making.  Good thing I'm not on a tight schedule today.  I really enjoy these unplanned conversations.

The rest of the day is about going through the mail, sending follow up emails, filling out expense account forms, etc.  At a leisurely pace may I add.

By the way I want to thank fellow bloggers for helping me get compliments on my clothing while on my trip.  I don't usually get any and am usually the one admiring the outfits of my female colleagues who live in the New York City/Philadelphia/New Jersey area and who have great individual styles.  I think reading and seeing the photos on blogs like Bliss', Vivienne's, Adrienne's, Pam's, and Janet's helped me put together more interesting outfits to take.  I even auditioned them with accessories Adrienne!  Thanks for that suggestion in your posts about your upcoming trip to Italy.  Check out these lovely ladies blogs for inspiration on style and so much more about living life well at all ages.

A busy day before a business trip

I am working through a long to-do list today so I can get out the door and on an airplane in the morning to head off to a consulting assignment.  Priorities for the day:
- Grocery shopping
- Finishing my preparation and report writing for the consulting project
- Pick up library book so hold won't expire while gone
- Walk dog
- Do physical therapy exercises
- Pack
etc., etc., etc.

What is on your list today?

Sitting at home - working internationally

I work part time as an Executive Coach as a contractor for a consulting firm.  This is work I have done for years both full time and part time.  I was thinking though about how interesting it has been to work with clients who are in other countries - Japan, Taiwan, China, the Netherlands, and Mexico so far - and who are doing business in English rather than their first language.  I also work with clients all over the US.  Most of this work is done by phone from my home office although I do meet with each person once at a US location.

Each person and situation is different but what has been most different for me is learning a bit about the nuances of being a leader for a US based company in another country.  Sometimes the client is from the country where they are working; other times they are an expatriate from the US or somewhere else in the world.

I find the need to adjust my approach to these different situations a welcome new challenge.  I've always had to adjust the approach to the developmental needs and the individual's style, but this makes it much more complex and interesting for me.  I can't really imagine how challenging it must be for these individuals and they are all very successful and poised for advancement.  So they have mastered the challenge.  Hopefully I am too. 

I have traveled to European countries several times but not Latin America or Asia.  One of my sons spent two years living in Japan and my nephews and second cousins are living abroad or have done so.  I envy the ease with which they will be able to embrace the international working world.

Have you had any experience working across countries with cultures and/or languages quite different from yours?  What did you do to help yourself be successful?

Oh the pain of pounding my head against technology!

I can relate!!!









As a semi-retired person or person who works part-time (the description depends on how I am feeling at the moment LOL) I do contract consulting work for an international firm.  I get paid about 4 times a year and don't care about all of the internal informative emails, etc.  However, I do like to access my paychecks online and print them as a record.  Well it just took an hour with the help of an admittedly very cheerful and responsive help desk employee to set me up with login information for my corporate email account, my intranet account and my PeopleSoft account.  Argh!!!!  Three accounts just to get a pay stub.

In the end I did print out what I wanted, but I hate that I have to monitor this email account and reset all three passwords every 60 or 90 days just to get this one piece of information once in a while.

Do you have a love-hate relationship with technology at times?  I certainly do.

Is it procrastination if you haven't missed the deadline?

This will be very short because I am rapidly approaching a deadline for completing two reports for work.  I have had a lifelong tendency to work well under the pressure of a deadline (another definition of procrastination?).  The reports are due no later than this Wednesday, each is 75% completed and I have most of the day to get them done.  I really want them done so I can get on with preparing for Thanksgiving and a visit from a son, his fiancee and their dog.  And then there are more leaves to rake.  Wish me rapid progress please.

Update at 11am - the reports are done - Hooray!  Onward with Thanksgiving prep and yard cleanup.