Refirement eZine
March 2009

Dear Refirement Network members,

The third month of the year has come about so fast. I still felt relaxed and on holiday in January but the year seems to be taking its’ usual increase in pace and responsibility as time passes.

The economic crisis globally must be having an affect on many of us. Your retirement savings may have diminished over night, you may be facing early retirement or retrenchment and the world in 2009 does not seem like a happy place to many. This may be a good time to relax, take stock and count the things that are really important in your life. We did the first “Next Chapter” workshop in January and this was enjoyed by all the delegates. It is empowering to take account of who you are, what skills you have and to then plot the journey for your future. This should be an exciting time in your life regardless of the credit crunch and all the doom and gloom. Take note of the date of the next one in March. Should you be keen to attend elsewhere in the country, please drop me an email as I will be planning this workshop in other major centers this year.

The PRIMETIME breakfast in March is a must for all companies and financial planners as well as Boomers. Book early to avoid disappointment. We only do this event once a year so don’t miss the opportunity.

Social Media is the new buzz word, mainly for the X generation and some early adopters in the corporate sector. Refirement Network is doing a joint workshop on Social Media especially aimed at Boomers. The training will help you as an executive or individual to understand the landscape and see the opportunities you can apply in your business or life. More details in this newsletter.

The Corporate Wellness divisions of organizations should be including the wellness of the boomers in their strategy. As a Retirement Coach, I am able to help you in this regard if you are interested. Please see my advertorial attached to this newsletter.

I am including a great article, written by my good friends Ernest and Angelique Du Toit, this month. Taking a sabbatical is an opportunity to sit back and reflect on where you want your life journey to take you. This article will give you great insight into this process.

Don’t forget to join the Refirement Social Network. The 70 members that have already joined are enjoying the interaction and this platform opens doors for your business to flourish as you share and market what you do.

May you find love all around you during the month of March. Kind Regards

Refirement Social Network This is a new social network that I have set up for Refirement Network. Please join and invite all other Baby Boomers. Click to join

Lessons from a sabbatical at 50 and how we managed this as a couple  

By Ernest and Angelique du Toit

The most crucial thing about life, is to understand and be clear about one’s purpose and passion. Purpose and passion creates the foundation and the boundaries, within which one makes sense of life’s opportunities and challenges. The greater the clarity of purpose, the less the challenges which we face in life, are able to impact our equilibrium and peace of mind. When one is fully involved in mainstream business, it is generally accepted that successful entrepreneurs or business executives, are fulfilling their purpose and passion. This may or may not be true, but for those individuals who are really clear about their purpose and are clearly focused on fulfilling it day by day, it makes no difference if you are in mainstream business or on a sabbatical. Generally, one of the greatest challenges of taking a sabbatical, is whether one is financially independent and whether you have the means to take time out of mainstream business. This is often a major source of stress, particularly for people who are retrenched, or who leave their business careers in other than voluntary circumstances. Angelique and I were in the fortunate position, that finance did not present a major challenge. Notwithstanding this, from our perspective, financial issues should not be a major concern, since our purpose is to impact and positively change the lives of others and when one has that type of value to add, then financial opportunities will present themselves as one makes a contribution to the growth and development of others.

It is imperative in life generally and whilst on sabbatical specifically, that one learns the critical lesson, that one must come to the market, not with your need, but with your value. If you approach life’s challenges and opportunities with your need, the likelihood is that you will not succeed, since people will sense your need, your desperation or your fear. However, if you approach the market with your value, your confidence, competence and ability to contribute, you will draw people and opportunities to you. Angelique and I have been blessed, in that our relationship has developed to the place where there is total inter-dependence, where we are able to communicate clearly, are unified in our purpose and understand the contribution that we wish to make individually and corporately. We, prior to going on sabbatical, came to an unequivocal agreement on how we would approach and balance our spiritual, family, physical, emotional, business and intellectual lives. The analogy is that all these elements are balls that we constantly have to juggle. All of the balls are rubber balls, aside from the spiritual ball and the family ball which are crystal balls. This assists us in deciding on our collective priorities, as we are constantly juggling all these balls and you cannot keep them all in the air at the same time. It is therefore fine to drop one of the balls from time to time, aside from the spiritual ball and the family ball, which are crystal and therefore need constant care and attention.

I went on sabbatical after the eight companies which I was responsible for at the time, were sold to a different multinational corporation, which applied business practises with which I did not agree and the corporation followed a code of ethics which was at odds with my personal belief system. I decided on a sabbatical, since I believed it would give me some time for stillness and reflection after 33 years in the corporate jungle. Initially Angelique and I took complete time out and spent time travelling, relaxing, reading, exercising, socialising and communicating even more intimately. Without the stress and pressure of time and deadlines, we became even more clear about our purpose on earth and the contribution that we were destined and able to make. What becomes evident, is that over the years, one acquires knowledge, skills, experience, expertise and wisdom that can be applied in many different circumstances and to many different people. Both Angelique and I then started to work with a variety of people in a wide range of businesses, coaching, training, strategising and assisting management with their strategic plans and operational execution.

We also found that the sabbatical gave us time to devote to our own growth and development, time to “sharpen the saw” in the words of Stephen Covey, time to further enhance our strengths and make our weaknesses irrelevant. It was a time in which we identified what the key drivers, the key facilitators and the key inhibitors of our future success was, as well as how we could leverage the key drivers and key facilitators and counter the key inhibitors that could constrain our efforts. We also realised, that some of the most critical attributes one can have, is commitment, dedication and resilience. It is crucial that nothing should prevent you from achieving your objectives. Hurdles and obstacles are purely challenges to be overcome, and it is important to stand each time after having stumbled and ask, what lessons have I just learnt from that experience, and then move on. Remember pain is temporary, quitting is forever.

Lastly, Angelique and I would wish to share our recipe for success with you:

Principle # 1 : Always stay focused on the main thing.

Principle # 2 : It’s all about relationships and only about relationships

Principle # 3 : Communicate, communicate and then communicate again.

Principle # 4 : The future will belong to those who best cope with volatility, chaos and change.

Principle # 5 : Innovation and creativity will win the day, every day.

Principle # 6 : Flawless execution makes all the difference in the world.

Principle # 7 : Integrity and ethics must be the cornerstone of your life.

Principle # 8 : Have fun, and live life with optimism, joy and fulfilment.

We wish you every success as you walk your path and fulfill your purpose on earth. May your journey be one of great contribution, hope, fulfilment, pleasure and great blessings.

Ernest and Angelique du Toit

Please contact Lynda Smith on +27 (0) 82 490 2822 or lynda [at] refirementnetwork [dot] com for more details. Our web address is www.refirementnetwork.com

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