Books Archive

IKIGAI

Retirement Wisdom · Feb 26, 2018 ·

By Héctor García and Francesc Miralles (2016-Penguin Books)

Book Review by Joe Casey

I first learned the word Ikigai from Susan Williams of @Booming Encore. It means a “reason for being” and it is associated with a feeling of well-being. The authors refer to it as “the art of staying young while growing old.”

In Short

When I saw this book in the bookstore (I still try and do that when and where I can), I was eager to learn more. This book was born in curiosity. The co-authors are two writers, one lives in Japan and the other in Spain, who wondered what is behind the superior longevity of the Japanese, notably residents of Okinawa. They embarked on a research inquiry focused on the village of Ogimi, which has the highest longevity on the planet, to uncover the drivers and unlock practices and behaviors that could be useful for all of us.

What they found is a compilation of practices that nurture the art of living. It’s less about specific tips. None of them by themselves will be earth-shattering to you. It’s more about an overall approach that’s quite different from some of ours in the West, especially around how we view and use time.

The foundational elements of this approach are meaning and purpose, which often need to be redefined at different stages of life. Having a clear sense of meaning and purpose in life, especially post-career, can then be the catalyst for an active life at this stage. With purpose, activity contributes and adds value to others. Without purpose, activity is hollow and just busyness. A clear sense of renewed purpose is often the missing link that’s ignored in the transition to retirement. Ikigai is a way to discover what your unique purpose is and what offers meaning to you at this point in life.

In addition to purpose, the authors explain the other key practices and habits that emerged their interviews with centenarians, including a number who were over 110. They include eating less (living by an 80% rule, stopping ahead of feeling full); movement throughout the day; friendship; being present in the moment, adopting and displaying a positive attitude and reconnecting with nature. Finally, they describe the Japanese practice on Naikan, a form of gratitude that encourages taking a moment to appreciate the contributions unknown others have made to things that we generally take for granted, such as what goes into the meals we eat and the clothing we wear.

Takeaways

None of the recommended practices are financial in nature. All relate to the art of living and how you choose to invest your time. All are doable.
The power does not lie in any one of the specific practices individually, it’s in adopting a holistic approach. The recommendations in this book cover the mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects of life.
Discovering, rediscovering or clarifying your purpose is a very valuable endeavor.

Kickstarter

If you’re transitioning away from your corporate career, or you’ve already retired and you want more, this book can give you a straightforward, yet highly beneficial roadmap of healthy practices.
At this time of year, New Year’s resolutions can already be a distant memory. Spring offers opportunities for new beginnings. Why not consider Ikigai as a way to cultivate a healthier lifestyle?

Joe Casey is an executive coach, who also helps people think through and create their Second Act careers, at retirementwisdom.com

Related Retirement Podcast episodes

What Can We Learn from Blue Zones? – Richard Eisenberg

Why People Make a Career Change with Purpose Top of Mind – Chris Farrell

Why Settle for Happiness in Retirement? – Emily Esfahani Smith

Related Book Reviews

The Second Mountain

A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement, and Success

Purposeful Retirement

Retirement Wisdom · Feb 22, 2018 ·

By Thelma Reese and Barbara M. Fleisher (2017 – Roman & Littlefield Publishers).

In Short

Following their 2013 book, The New Senior Woman, Reese and Fleisher, two retired college professors, tackled the sometimes thorny issue of how men successfully transition to life in retirement.

There are many things to love about this book.

First, there are thoughtful conversations with many men, from all walks of life, at various stages of their retirement journey woven into the book. These provide snippets of real-life case studies that paint a rich portrait of lived experience and wisdom. The reader comes away with a sense that each retirement is truly unique. However, there are some universal challenges that each man faces, primarily around identity and purpose. There’s a clear sense that despite the realities and challenges, many men are seizing the opportunities that this phase of life offers. These stories give concrete examples of men who are finding creative solutions and designs that work for them and align with their values and priorities. But there’s no sugar-coating in this book. The authors take on a myriad of tough issues head-on and extract the lessons learned from the stories of various men’s experiences.

Second, this book has a wonderful sense of humor. The authors provide a look at the lighter side, while still addressing serious issues such as ageism. The humor provides a great balance and you come away with a sense that you are getting to know not only the characters who were interviewed, but the co-authors as well. There is sound information and useful tends highlighted in the book, but their personalities come through as well.

Third, it’s one of those books you read where you find yourself slapping your forehead saying “That is brilliant. Why haven’t I ever thought of that?” My favorite example is the title of Chapter One: Manning Up to Retirement.

Takeaways

Financial planning in retirement is critical. But it’s not enough. Winning at retirement involves planning for other important ingredients such as purpose, identity and social connections
What you focus on matters – and it’s a choice. What’s your attitude toward retirement? The authors emphasize that this phase of life is an opportunity for renewal and reinvention, in contrast to some of the messages that our culture and society at large emphasize. But there are innovative ways many men are discovering to continue to contribute and add value.
Think differently. The authors note that “Life isn’t a matter of either -or.” Retirement today is vastly different today. There are new options to continue to work in different ways and build a portfolio of interests and activities.

Kickstarter

If you haven’t already, give some thought to what your identity was during your career and what you want it to be in retirement. It’s a harder question, and a more important one, than it first appears. How will you need to “Man Up’ to have a great retirement?

I found this book to be very insightful and inspiring, while being firmly grounded and rooted in the stories and experiences of the men they profiled.

If you are a senior man, or hope to be one someday, this book is well worth your time. If you know a senior man, who is approaching retirement or is in retirement, this book would make a meaningful gift.

– Joe Casey

Joe Casey is an executive coach, who also helps people think through and create their Second Act careers, at retirementwisdom.com

Buy The New Senior Man on Amazon

The Retirement Wisdom Podcast

Listen to our conversation with author Thelma Reese here

Retirement Wisdom · Dec 19, 2017 ·

By Anne C. Coon and Judith Ann Feuerherm

(2017-Praeger)

Book Review by Joe Casey

Women face some unique headwinds that can have a cumulative and lasting effect beyond the workplace and into retirement. The authors tell stories of 25 women across their careers and life course into their retirement years. It’s a timely book, as it includes frank recollections of the toll that discrimination and harassment played in the careers and lives of these women.

This book is primarily about resilience and creativity through the compelling stories of women who overcame multiple obstacles and are living satisfying lives in retirement – on their own terms.

The authors are also both thriving in their own retirements and bring different yet complementary perspectives to this work. Anne Coon brings an academic background, while Judith Feuerherm comes with extensive career coaching, consulting and leadership expertise.

What I really love about this book is that it puts the individual experiences of these 25 women in the context of historical events shared by the baby boomer generation, while delving into the specific challenges and opportunities they worked through following their corporate lives.

They paint a vivid portrait of the challenges and opportunities that are the essence of transitions to retirement, such as losing identity and building a new one, embracing the exhilarating freedom while dealing with the loss of structure. An example is a process of moving beyond titles and labels and into an unchartered phase of life where there is no longer a clear path laid out.

Many of these themes I also see in my coaching work among men and women alike. However, the authors provide a candid view into the concerns and fears of these women through their journey and some of the unique adaptions these women made, such as deciding that they needed to become their own role models.

This book is an excellent book for people approaching or currently in their own transition. It’s particularly relevant for high- achieving professionals, who will relate to these women as they retire from corporate life, but not real life, where they continue to thrive in new ways.

Joe Casey is an executive coach, who also helps people think through and create their Second Act careers, at retirementwisdom.com

Retirement Wisdom · Dec 9, 2017 ·

by Emily Esfahani Smith (2017 – Crown Publishing Group)

Book Review by Joe Casey

At Retirement Wisdom, we’re big on of purpose. In fact, studies have found that your longevity may even depend on it.

Yet, purpose is one of those subjects that I sometimes find hard to get my arms around. I wonder about how someone discovers their purpose – particularly when they transition from their primary career to their next chapter. I always feel like it requires a lengthy trip to mountains and extensive navel-gazing. That will need to wait for another day. Someday. Maybe.

It turns out that the mountains are optional. Emily Esfahani Smith uses an entertaining mix of wisdom from philosophers, research and stories to break this topic down. She draws useful distinctions between the related topics of purpose, happiness and meaning and illustrates the connection between purpose and identity.

She outlines the four pillars of a life of meaning – belonging, purpose story-telling and transcending beyond yourself. I found Esfahani Smith’s writing on the story-telling pillar, in particular, to be especially valuable. She describes the powerful role that narrative can play in rediscovering purpose. Approaching retirement, how you envision and craft the story of your next chapters can make all the difference.

Retirement is a major life transition and rediscovering your purpose is an important part of successfully navigating it. I highly recommend this book as an excellent way to begin exploring your purpose. It contains a wealth of practical knowledge and insights that can aid your journey.

Buy the Power of Meaning on Amazon

Listen to our conversation with the author on The Retirement Wisdom podcast here

Related Book Reviews You May Like:

Purpose and a Paycheck

Purposeful Retirement

About Retirement Wisdom

Are you retiring, but not done yet? Our coaches can help you create a retirement that’s a great one. A 20+ retirement is a terrible thing to waste. Design your life in retirement for more clarity, direction, and a sense of purpose aligned with your true values.

Retirement Wisdom · Oct 18, 2017 ·

By Dorie Clark (2017 – Harvard Business Review Press)

Book Review by Joe Casey

In Short

The ranks of silver entrepreneurs and entrepreneur women continue to grow. More and more people who are mid-career or beyond are concluding that moving on from corporate life offers greater flexibility and interesting, rewarding work. Many are deciding that it’s time to become their own boss.

Food for Thought

While the gig economy offers opportunities for Second Act careers and entrepreneurship, it’s quite competitive. You need an edge. Dorie Clark’s new book provides practical tips on how to build your own business and create multiple income streams in today’s economy. To succeed, you’ll need the right online strategies, and Clark walks you through the options. You’ll come away with a clear picture of what you’ll need to focus on, what you’ll need to start learning – or who you’ll need to hire to help you.

Takeaways

What I particularly like about this book is that it presents a variety of options for people to leverage their unique skill set and combine it with what they really enjoy doing. Some of the strategies she recommends can be implemented to begin building a business before taking the plunge full-time. In addition to her experiences, she includes stories from people who have done it successfully, all of whom started small, and shares their lessons learned. While some of the stories from younger folks may not immediately resonate, their expertise, tools, and tactics from the online arena may be exactly what you need.

A Kickstarter

Starting your own business after a corporate career involves risks. While you should consult your financial advisor before doing so, I think that this book offers savvy advice and smart approaches that can give you a leg up on your competition. Best of all it provides inspiration that can kick start your next chapter and gives you a roadmap of where to start.