Blog - Encore Tampa Bay Connecting Boomers to their Encore Careers

FINDING YOUR ENCORE

April 11, 2013

HOW DO I FIND MY ENCORE CAREER?

So how do you know what your Encore Career could be? For me, it was this nagging feeling inside myself that there was something else that I was meant to do. Often it might be an event or situation that forces you to pay attention to that nagging feeling. In my case, it was when my daughter left for college. There I was an empty nester facing a major change in the biggest role in my life! The research and recent articles highlight the fact that other external events such a loss of a loved one or loss of a job can also move us closer to finding our Encore Career. For other people- just knowing that there are resources and support to help you along this journey- can be the best motivation to get started!!!

I want to spend the next couple of blogs focused on key considerations and resources as you begin thinking about your possible Encore Career. There are a number of excellent books that have been written in the last couple of years that will be extremely helpful for you as you go through these stages of figuring out your next act. Marci Albhoher’s – “The Encore Career Handbook” does an excellent job of laying out the challenges/ opportunities, tips, tools, and resources to help you find and connect to your Encore Career. Attached is a great article from USA today that summarizes key takeaways from the Encore Career Handbook. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/01/13/encore-career/1821111/. I would also recommend that you read more about Encore Careers on the www.encore.org website.

Everyone’s “Encore Journey” is different. What one can expect however is that it often means a slow transition, with lots of ups and downs and real introspection. It’s not a direct path. What I know for sure, is that this journey is very different than your typical job search process. In the Encore Career Handbook, Marci talks about two distinct parts in the Encore Journey. The first part is internal, which includes self-reflection, assessments and exploration. The second part is really about trying it out, or taking a test drive in the real world!

It also means giving yourself permission to:

Step away from your expected role or the job that you may have spent your life working in.
Allow some real thinking, reading, and internal reflection.
Be creative, think out of the box, consider something you have always been “intrigued” with, to take a risk!

ENCORE READINESS

So how do you know if you are ready to take this journey of exploration, risk, and opportunity? Marci includes in the Encore Career Handbook- an Encore readiness quiz. (Very helpful!). So I leave you with a few questions to ponder:

Do you have ideas about what you might want to do next?
Is there something you feel drawn to that you can’t stop thinking about?
Are you in a place right now where you can comfortably move forward without other pressing issues to deal with in your life?

Several weeks ago- another great article appeared in Forbes ,“Time to Reinvent Yourself”, where the author shared personal experiences of what can happen while exploring your Encore possibilities. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kareanderson/2013/03/13/time-to-reinvent-yourself/

Let’s start the conversation- What are questions that you are asking yourself? Have you had similar thoughts as those in this article? I would love to hear them.

Remember to like me on Facebook (Encore Tampa Bay) and join my Group Linked In discussion. Continue to spread the word about this exciting stage of development for Boomers!

“Fortune does favor the bold and you’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t try.” ~ Sheryl Sandberg

Bevan Rogel

Encore Tampa Bay

Encore Careers- A Win-Win for All!

March 28, 2013

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This week USA Today posted another article about Encore Careers. What I like about this article are the great examples of people who have found their Encore Careers. Some of these examples point to the reality that Boomers must find another “job” and pursue their Encore Career out of financial necessity. The economic downturn is one of the major factors, though not the only one, for Boomers to keep working beyond “the traditional retirement age”. Another reason is that Boomers want to live vibrantly and make a meaningful difference in their later years.

Encore Fellows Program

Another interesting initiative is how communities are encouraging Boomers to pursue non-profit management opportunities through Encore Fellowships. A win-win! See attached for a full description of the Encore Fellows Program.

Encore Entrepreneurs

The third great example in the USA Today describes how Baby Boomers are capitalizing on entrepreneurial opportunities. Research shows that over 50% of all entrepreneurial start-ups are initiated by people over 50 years of age. I will talk more about entrepreneurial opportunities in future Encore Careers blogs.

Purpose Prize

Another great initiative established by the National Encore Organization is the Purpose Prize where you can nominate people over 60 who are changing the world. If you have a story about someone who is making a significant impact in their Encore Career- you can submit your nomination by April 4. Winners of the Purpose Prize receive $100,000! Click here to find all the details for the contest.

I am so excited to read the stories about people engaged in their Encore Careers as well as to learn about new programs that are helping Boomers ignite their Encore Careers. These are appearing more and more in community and national publications!

I would still love to hear about more examples of people who have found their Encore Careers. Tell me about a person you know who has begun focusing on their true passion and purpose! Stay tuned to my next blog which will help those of you who are not sure yet what that Encore Career could be! (Tools, Books and insightful questions)

PS- Don’t forget to like me on Facebook (Encore Tampa Bay) and to pass the word about my blog around to people who might be interested.

Today, I leave you with a great quote:

Twenty years from now, you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the ones you did.
– Mark Twain

Bevan Rogel

Encore Tampa Bay

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIONS IN POSITIVE AGING

March 18, 2013

On March 1, the Institute for The Ages held its fourth annual Winter Forum in Sarasota. The Institute for the Ages is a non-profit think and “do” tank in Sarasota that generates new ways of thinking and positive solutions for positive aging. One of their key goals is to create a mecca of creativity and innovation by providing input and test markets for new products and services that promote positive aging.

This year’s Winter Forum focused on “Technology and Connections in Positive Aging”. At the forum, national speakers talked about how new technology is improving the lives of older adults. Here are a few nuggets from some of these presentations:

Steve Agritelley, Director of Research and Innovation at Intel Labs spoke about “Understanding Needs- Locally and Globally”. Intel did a global research project, (see PDF), that was focused on identifying the technology needs of the older population (age 60+). The project identified 8 set of common concerns and values for this population. Two big ones were enabling social connections and having a useful and meaningful life. Intel is creating technologies that meet those specific needs.
Richard Adler- from the Institute for the Future talked about “The Technology of Empowerment and the Future of Aging”. His primary job explores the intersection of people and technology. He sees two major types of emerging technologies; 1) Assisted technology (i.e. enhanced hearing, vision, health monitors etc., 2) Technology of Empowerment- physical fitness, cognitive fitness, social networks, health support networks and caregiver network. He talked about how technology can be an equalizer and a key support tool for this age group.
Paul Barker from Hallmark Digital spoke about ways that people and companies can bring emotional authenticity into technology. They are looking at how their products and services can help people move into the technology world through three different points of entry: head, heart and hand. Hallmark’s philosophy is to respect the older audience and adapt to their changing needs.
Several companies shared their innovative products such as: 1) an in-home cellular hub and activity sensors that helps connect with those concerned about their loved ones. 2) The “Lively-Gram” that helps to create personalized mailers to grandparents using apps and the internet to create pictures and personal messages. 3) Jeff Hazelton, CEO of Lucid Global (local Sarasota start up company) showed us 3D Medical videos that enhance the way doctors communicate with their patients,

It was a great day of learning about so many different ways that technology is changing the way that we live our lives and connect with each other.

I walked away with a few key take-ways from the conference. First, it is good to see so many companies that are focusing on the Baby Boomer plus age group and their specific needs. Several presenters emphasized they were creating technology that would adapt to their preferences/ comfort zone. I also believe one of the biggest challenges and opportunities are around finding coaches, programs and resources to help the older generation take advantage of these new technologies!

What are your thoughts and ideas?

What have been some examples of new innovative products or technologies that address the needs of the new Baby Boomer generation? I would love to hear from you.

Bevan Rogel

Encore Tampa Bay

EXPLORING MORE ABOUT ENCORE CAREERS

March 11, 2013

This week the Tampa Bay Times posted an article, “Encore Careers: A Second Act For Many Workers”.

The article does a great job of explaining the concept of “Encore Careers” and provides great examples of people who have discovered their “Next Act/ Encore Career”. There are so many great inspirational stories about people discovering their passion and putting it to work in a way that provides meaning as well as income in their lives! For some people it may not mean leaving the job they currently have but simply rearranging their schedule to include something that has meaning for them. For other people – it could be following their passion with a volunteer job while still earning some form of income from their current job.

I am including another great blog from Next Avenue- a recent online publication sponsored by PBS. In this blog, Richard Eisenburg outlines some key take-aways from Marci Alboher’s recent book, “Encore Career Handbook”. (a MUST read!!)

Richard dispels three myths about Encore Careers:

An Encore Career means you have to save the world
You need to be wealthy to have an Encore Career
An Encore Career means you have to take a vow of poverty. Encore Careers can be a combination of the spirit of service with the practicality of some kind of continuing income.

Check out his blog.

I will continue to share more stories and articles that exemplify different kinds of Encore Careers along with ways to find YOUR Encore Career.

I am wondering if there are some other inspirational Encore Career stories out there – if so – I would love to hear your stories (Even if it isn’t your story- it may be someone else in your community who has happily figured out their “Second Act”!!)

PS- Don’t forget to “like me” on my Facebook page (Encore Tampa Bay)!

Bevan Rogel

Encore Tampa Bay

Institute For The Ages Winter Forum- March 1

February 26, 2013

There is an exciting event happening this week – The Institute for the Ages- Winter Forum on Friday March 1 in Sarasota. Attached is the invite. This Winter Forum has been an extremely successful annual event, bringing in national leaders in the area of aging. This year the focus is on technology and how technology can be a powerful tool for connecting, teaching and enhancing the quality of our lives. Please consider attending this ground breaking thought event.

http://www.institutefortheages.org

I will be blogging about the event next week- stay tuned!!!

Winter Forum Invite

Bevan Gray Rogel

Lets Change the name “Retirement” to “Re-Firement”!

February 25, 2013

“Every generation needs a new revolution.”
-Thomas Jefferson

It should come as no surprise that large numbers of Baby Boomers are bucking tradition and not willing to accept the prescribed life that the “Traditionalists” carved out in the 1950’s. (Remember our favorite motto? “Hell no, we won’t go!”) Several recent surveys show that Baby Boomers are not ready to stop work and that they believe there is another big thing that is still calling them.

IMPACT FACTORS

Several factors have shaped this new reality. First, our life expectancy has skyrocketed. In 1915 it was 50 years old, in 1980 it was 75 and now a large percentage of us will live into our 90’s. Second, the recession and the nature of work has radically changed. Some people either can’t afford to retire or realize that they have another 20 plus years of active engagement left in them.

LATEST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

There are two powerful ground breaking books that really speak to this new reality.

Mark Walton, in his new book, “Boundless Potential” captures about seven years of research in the area of brain science, psychology, sociology, creativity and happiness. His three core discoveries: 1) We (Baby Boomers) are hard wired for reinvention and emerging brain power in the second half of life; 2) A growing number of boomers are learning to leverage their experience and wisdom into profitable new careers and businesses that can impact our world; 3) Longevity experts report that meaningful and purposeful work can pay back in terms of long term health and happiness. Check out this Youtube video about Walton’s book:

Another book by Marc Freedman (founder of Encore.org) “THE BIG SHIFT- Navigating the New Stage Beyond Mid Life” also lays out some reasons why retirement as we have known it for the last 50 years really does not work for this generation. Here is the link to an excerpt of his book here.

LET’S MAKE THE SHIFT

What really moved me about “The Big Shift” was Freedman’s call to action to create an “Encore Stage of Life” characterized by purpose, contribution and commitment. Marc said, “We believe that this changing notion of aging in America offers the prospect of the ‘experience dividend’ of staggering proportions. Never before have so many Americans had so much experience- with so much time and interest in using it”. He calls for a SHIFT in thinking about the real potential for this over-50 Baby Boomer generation. This also means a SHIFT in society norms, institutions, public policies, programs and perceptions! It starts with how we see ourselves in this new stage of life.

I challenge you to read these books (or summaries) and get excited about the possibilities and opportunities that our society and Baby Boomers have to recreate for this next stage of life!

LIVING PROOF

In one of his chapters, Walton cites a long history of famous men and women over the age of 60 who have proven the theory that our brain actually is wired for advanced emotional intelligence, and enhanced creativity. I leave you today with a great example: 88 year old, Hazel McCallion, who started her Encore Career at 57 as Mayor of Mississauga 31 years ago!

(Hazel playing hockey)

Bottom line…We are NOT ready to retire, but ready to Re-Fire! Boomers still have a lot to offer in this second half.

Let’s start the Encore Movement!

How will we as a nation, as a community, make it easier for the largest, best educated, longest living generation to create a better world for the generations to follow? What are your reactions or thoughts?

Bevan Gray-Rogel
Encore Tampa Bay
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