What? Not Another Retirement Coach!
Everyday there is someone advertising themself as a retirement coach. This afternoon I read of one person who, after working in the banking industry for 25 years, now broadcasts herself as a certified retirement coach. For an investment of $149, you too can be a coach!
Many coaches appear to be in their early or late 50s. My question are, “What do they know about retiring?” “Have they experienced the emotional roller coaster of losing one’s work identity or been gripped by the fear of possibly outliving their savings?”
Who am I to talk? It all started with remembering my father, Jack. Jack loved his job. His friends were there. His self-image was part of the job. His life happily revolved around work until the day he retired. My father didn’t have any hobbies or interests outside of his job. Like many others, his mental, physical, and emotional well-being was set adrift when he no longer had a job to go to. Eighteen months later, he passed away.
Naturally, this left a big impression on me. I was only twenty-four at the time and just starting my human resources career. Over the years, as a human resources professional, I observed hundreds of people move from active work to retirement. I eventually came to realize that the difference between thriving and failing to thrive in retirement was not about the money.
I began seriously researching retirement. I interviewed hundreds of retirees, learning what results into success after work. I wrote my first book, Don’t Just Retire, Live it, Love it! This led me to speaking to groups across North America and at the same time, learning even more. I began coaching individuals and couples on how best to create a personal planning guide to enhance life after work.
As of today, I’m the author of six bestsellers: Don’t Just Retire – Live it, Love it! Strategies for Retiring Right! Why Me? and No Gold Watch! Life After Work: Live it, Love it! Coaching Clients for Retirement – a Primer and Retirement: The Ultimate Life Journey plus the popular workbooks: The First Step! and Strategies for Retiring Right!
I’m founder and president of RA Retirement Advisors and am considered an expert in retirement fulfillment. Known as Mister Retirement, my practical, interactive, and results-oriented workshops and webinars have helped people plan for a successful and fulfilling retirement.
I’m a popular speaker presenting strategies and providing true stories and insights to audiences along with a pathway to making a successful transition to retirement.
I continue researching life after work, including conducting surveys and interviews; and I regularly blog, create videos and other learning materials aimed at helping people live their ideal retirement. My Facebook group, Retirement planning, encourages group members to share and learn how best to prepare for life after work.
From the successful retirees I’ve met, I’ve learned the value of coaching. A retirement coach provides immense value by shifting focus from solely financial planning to designing a purposeful, fulfilling lifestyle post-career. A coach helps navigate the emotional, social, and psychological shifts of retirement, reducing anxiety about losing identity and structure. Coaches create actionable plans for hobbies, social connections, and well-being.
You have a choice! Work with the $149 certified retirement coach or someone who’s walked the retirement road and wants to share.
If interested, contact me at: ramgt75@rogers.com. I look forward to meeting you. Your first call is free.
Rick Atkinson, Mister Retirement, B.Com., MBA, CHRP, CMC, FDFS