AARP has been working hard the last two years on a strategy to re-engage and provide value to their baby boomer members with the Life Reimagined Initiative. Yes – we mean those 50 or older who have been slow to see the value or relevance of AARP at this time in their life! For those boomers who have avoided AARP emails – it might be helpful for me to describe Life Reimagined. Life Reimagined is an online discovery tool that helps people find and pursue new possibilities in their life. The content of the program is backed by decades of research and based on the book by Richard Leider, “Life Reimagined – Discovering Life’s Possibilities”.
I have been extremely blessed to have established a strong partnership with our statewide office of AARP. Jeff Johnson, state director and Michelle Cyr, associate state director, have truly recognized the opportunity for Encore Tampa Bay and AARP to join forces and support our mutual goal of assisting boomers to discover and pursue their encore.
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend an insightful meeting with Emilio Pardo, EVP/Chief Brand Officer and Kristen Dill, SVP strategy/operations/analytics, along with key strategic partners of Encore Tampa Bay (including my dream team). Emilio shared his vision of Life Reimagined as well as the current on-the-ground efforts to launch this initiative. Emilio spoke about the new language of aging and living that has set the stage for Life Reimagined. He identified the three C’s that are critical for making this shift:
CHOICE, COURAGE AND CURIOSITY
AARP is currently implementing Life Reimagined with the National Football League’s retiring football players. They have also enlisted the Aspen Institute to help create strategies for scaling up Life Reimagined. They have created the Life Reimagined Institute that will continue with research and build upon the six guideposts of Life Reimagined (REFLECT, CONNECT, EXPLORE, CHOOSE, REPACK AND ACT).
The biggest news from AARP is the launching of the “Life Reimagined Checkups” (pilot programs launched this month in select states). The checkups are a two hour experience to help participants get inspired about the possibilities of a life reimagined. The session helps individuals look at where they are in life and where they want to go. Participants also learn about tools and methods that help them plan their next move and connect to other people and resources in the community that can assist in the journey. The activities in the workshop are based around the six guideposts utilized in the online discovery tool.
AARP ran four sessio
ns this last week in the Tampa Bay area. Michelle Cyr recently said, “We were pleased to see so many people participate in our first round of Life Reimagined Check Ups here in Tampa Bay and look forward to engaging with many more as we continue to build upon Life Reimagined in our community.” What is most exciting for me, is to see such well respected and powerful organizations such as AARP and Encore.org all working towards our mutual goal of giving people the new life skills and pathways for the “new normal”!
Go to Life Reimagined and start the discovery process for yourself! Its free and lots of fun!!