Chris Dobson, Electronics Engineer, Selby UK.

I think we all have dreams about what we’re going to do in retirement but it’s quite likely that they will end up just that – dreams – if we don’t do something about it. If one’s lucky and has enough to get by on, the frightening thing about retirement is that it is a blank canvas – and that’s the most challenging environment there is. You don’t have to do anything to earn money, or live in any particular location because of a job. Really for the first time in your life, you can do what you want, when you want, where you want. When there are no guidelines it’s invaluable to have some direction about how to approach what could be a significant part of one’s life, particularly if you don’t want it to just slip away. The real benefit of the executive retirement coaching was that it made me think about what I would have to do to turn my dreams into reality and question whether the dreams that I had were really what I wanted to do. The first thing to do was to fill in the questionnaire and when I reached the ‘bucket list’ question I realised that it was quite likely that I wouldn’t be able to do all the things that I wanted to do. I am going to have to prioritise. The next thing was being introduced to the concept of a ‘successful retirement’ – what does this actually mean to me and, just as importantly, what does it mean to my wife. Then ‘what is my non-financial legacy?’ – a thought provoking question which really stimulates the grey matter. It’s a question I’ve since posed to a couple of recently retired folk and seen them do a mental double-take – powerful stuff! I must say I approached the day on the phone with mixed feelings as it sounded very intense. Actually it was much more manageable than I expected. Ann’s style of mixing thought-provoking questions with relevant anecdotes and observations affirmed her as someone who had had a lot of experience of coaching and a genuine interest in people. It had all the benefits of one-to-one coaching without the travel and at the end of the day I thought of Ann more as a friend than as a coach. Her interest in people is obvious and her desire to try to help people optimise their retirement, however long it may be, shines through. The list of fifteen areas where one might need help makes one aware of the range of challenges that one will face but the selection of five key topics allows both an ordering in one’s mind of the key challenges and makes for a workable day on the phone. (One thing that is really helpful when on the phone is to have a headset or hands-free facility of some sort.) The day changed my thinking in some key areas. First, it introduced the concept of a successful retirement, i.e. a time from which really positive things may emerge rather than just spending one’s time filling the day. It made me recognise that a successful retirement isn’t just going to happen. It needs thinking about, making choices, planning and taking the necessary steps to make it happen. It also made me aware that I have to start now, not let a couple of years drift by and waste the time when we’re at our youngest (in retirement) and fittest. So I’ve started thinking about the bucket load of things that I want to do and also reassessing the things that I have been doing. Do I want to carry on doing these, or allow them to take so much time? I’m going to take time before committing myself and may need to say ‘no, I can’t do that’ if it doesn’t fit in the plan. I’ve been thinking of what my non-financial legacy could be – what do I want to leave behind other than the enraged creditors! If you’re thinking about retirement and want it to be more than pipe and slippers, pottering in the garden and the odd holiday, I would strongly recommend getting some help from someone who can really get you thinking about what you want to do and what you have to do to make dreams reality. Ann’s executive coaching programme will add a value to my retirement way beyond the cost of the course and I’m deeply grateful that I found out about it in time to make the most of my, or should I say our, retirement. Thank you Ann.     Jeremy Davies Recently retired from Shell International       All my comments are from the viewpoint of someone who has been retired already for 2 years. Up to now I’ve had a really good time, though I was starting to feel that there must be more I could do.  I found this day a great way to take stock and refocus.  I believe there are many benefits still to emerge from this (VIP) day and I feel sure that I will be using the things I have learned for a long time. The most immediate benefit to me is that Ann has introduced me to a different way of looking at how I want to spend my retirement time.  Of particular benefit is that Ann has helped me to find the things that suit my personality and my needs – rather than offering me the same tired old advice that can often be offered to people who are/have retired.  For the first time I can plan the retirement that I want, not the retirement that other people expect me to have. Ann also opened up my mind to some issues that I hadn’t really considered fully in the past.  They were as wide ranging as “what would I like my non-financial legacy to be” and “what sort of home do I want to live in as I get older”. I am already doing things differently as a result of my day with Ann.  For example, I’m:   Getting started on some projects that I’ve been mulling over for ages, and not doing anything about Learning to be more positive and take a more forthright approach in my family relationships (and boy does it feel good!) Taking control and responsibility for my life.   The format of the day gave me pause to reflect on the things I had been discussing and quite often took me into unexpected territory. Ann is really easy to talk to and has a relaxed friendly style.  I was amazed how easy she made it to do this over the phone. The Home Study materials are first rate.  The subjects covered are wide ranging and have clearly been very thoroughly researched.  They cover so many things issues that I want to know about both now and in the future.  I know that I will refer to them again and again. Wherever you are on the retirement journey dive right in and enjoy this experience.  There is something for everyone - whatever your circumstances, whatever your dreams.  The day is completely flexible so that you can explore the things you need to in order to have a great retirement. It would have been great if this had been available when I retired two years ago, but better late than never! Lynda Sanders Retired Civil Servant, DEFRA