Q What inspired you to leave the financial business to become a coach and to immerse yourself in the emerging movement called life planning?

A There are a number of reasons.  First of all, I became interested in the coaching profession and enjoyed that process with my clients. 

Also, I am right on the front end, the cusp, of the baby boomer generation so when I started to think about a niche market to coach, I chose life planning.  That was four years ago and obviously it was a lesser known process then, than it is now.

In many ways the research work I did for my own transition from primary career into my next half just fuelled my interest in providing the same process to others.  I feel I am being spiritually called to do this work… and that’s totally energising to me.

The final reason is that you can walk into any bookstore and see row upon row of financial books on retirement planning but very few, if any, on the life issues.  There are hundred’s of financial advisors with strings of qualifications all competing for your money business.  Life is about living - not money.  In some cases money has become too prominent in people’s thinking with the result they are missing out on many of life’s opportunities.  

Q Who comes to you?    

A Men or women, who are just waking up to the fact they will soon be leaving their primary careers… or, those who have already retired and are finding their life is difficult.  They are bored, uninspired and some even show signs of depression and being disconnected.

Q What do you mean when you say their lives are difficult?

A I usually answer that question with another question!  Why do some teenagers get up some mornings on time, pumped and enthusiastic, when on other mornings they sleep till noon?  One of the reasons is that they generally have a purpose to get up pumped and enthusiastic… perhaps it is skiing, dirt biking or soccer.

Many baby boomers have worked in the same environment for years, if not decades.  Their work becomes their identity and so when they leave they loose their identity. Take a medical doctor or a business owner… they truly live their business and generally work long hours… some are even so-called “married” to their business meaning that their life purpose is their business.  Then, suddenly it is all over and they are left in the sea of life without a rudder, without a purpose and with little meaning.

What’s missing for these people is a process and a support coach to help them get through all the thinking stuff and to answer questions like “who am I and where do I belong?

Q Your organisation is called Life Planning Matters.  Why does “it” matter?

A It matters because the retirement model has changed so drastically… in essence, it is no longer about retiring; it is about doing more on our own terms.  We need to find a completely different way of thinking about the rest of our lives.

Baby boomers want to be more, create more, experience more etc.  They don’t want to get into the hammock! 

Q Does a person’s sense of purpose affect the length and quality of their life?

A Absolutely.  Life planning is emerging just at the right time for the thousands of baby boomers entering the second half of their lives.  While health and financial issues are important to vital aging, having a deep sense of purpose is the foundation.

Only last week I met a fellow in an elevator – he had just attended a financial seminar.  I asked: “how was it?”  He replied: “the same old stuff being talked about, were you in there?” 

I told him that I hadn’t been in the room and in fact I had just left the financial business to help people with the non-financial issues of retirement.  In a matter of minutes he had made an appointment with me!

Q How does the financial component fit it?

A There is a growing group of very smart financial advisors who understand the notion that until you know what will be meaningful and fulfilling in the second half, it’s difficult to deliver a customized and effective financial plan.  And that’s when I get involved as a resource.

Q What are some of the outcomes people can expect to have?

A I think our clients leave any of our programs with a new sense of awakening and hope.  They have a new plan of engagement in life and as a result they are experiencing higher levels of energy.  It’s as if the clouds have parted after a long grey winter!

Q What one piece of advice could you give to baby boomers close to leaving their primary career?

A Plan to stay “in gear,” the emphasis being on the word “plan.”

Nigel Brown is a retirement lifestyle consultant and coach and the Principal of Life Planning Matters. 

Nigel has been published in Personal Excellence, Forum Magazine, the Family Enterpriser and a number of internal and corporate newsletters. He is the publisher of the e-newsletter, Agequake.