REINVENTION: STRUCTURE, STIMULATION, WORK THAT MATTERS

The forecast that many Baby Boomers will be living into their 90s is good news (except for maybe the need for financial planning to support us until age 90 or more) if we can continue to thrive with personally meaningful and enjoyable pursuits and "work." This "work that matters" can be similar to or different from one's major career or current work; ideally, as Jane Brody points out in her New York Times Personal Health column (July 8, 2008) "In Act 2 of Life, Doing Work That Matters," it should fulfill personal desires such as long-postponed activities, provide better work/life "balance" and enable you to make money while doing something you love.

Brody cites two books:

Marc Freedman's "Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life" and the new edition of "Don't Retire, Rewire" by Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners. Freedman, founder of Civic Ventures, a not-for-profit engaging Baby Boomers to work toward bettering the world, says that the people who are pioneering the new work models he proposes "are not celebrating their freedom from work, but rather their freedom to work, in ways that hold the promise of personal fulfillment, economic benefit and social renewal."

Sedlar and Miners describe rewiring as something that comes from within rather than a response to someone else's goals or society's agenda for you. They say, "Rewiring comes from you, your personal motivators, your vision, your dreams, your goals and your values. That's why rewiring is so satisfying for so many people."

If you've hit age 50, it's time to start creating your legacy and plan to maintain your zest for a productive, meaningful life long-term.

If you're not there yet but have likely candidates around you, try to find a way, through your organization or individually, to give them a head start.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot   www.pdcounsel.com