A. To answer this question I will share with you the story of the turning point that brought me to where I am today, coaching individuals like you on exactly how to plan for the personal, non-financial aspects of their retirement.
There was a time when I felt the frustration that you may be feeling now as you approach retirement. I had reached a point in my profession as an educator when I decided that I no longer wanted to spend my time disciplining students, that I would rather be using my strengths as an instructional leader.
I noticed that I was getting less and less fulfillment out of my work. I was bored, frustrated, and creatively stifled. I felt that my talents were falling by the wayside and that I needed to create an opportunity to access my creativity by designing the life I wanted. So after 30 years as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator, I decided that my personal life was more important than the large retirement check I would have received if I had stayed for 35 years. For me the choice was the money or my life so I "retired" to create the life that I wanted.
I have always had a passion for helping others get to the next level. As a lifelong learner and strategic planner, I pursued my passion of improving my life and the lives of other educators by exploring various self-help avenues such as becoming a self-esteem facilitator trained by Jack Canfield, the co-author of the #1 best seller "Chicken Soup" books. I also became a certified life coach, a certified facilitator for the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and completed the Authentic Happiness Program facilitated by Marty Seligman, one of the top psychologists in the country. In essence, I was preparing for my own "What's Next" life without even realizing it.
Since retiring, I have discovered that many of my friends who retired at the same time prepared for the financial aspects of their lives but did not factor in the personal side of their retirement. Nancy Schlossberg, author of Retire Smart, Retire Happy: Finding Your True Path in Life, said "the biggest mistake people make is not realizing there's a psychological component to retirement." Some of my acquaintances are frustrated, bored, and taking jobs just to keep themselves occupied and to fill the void. My journey of preparing for "What's next" has brought me a lot of satisfaction, joy and meaning. I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams as a retirement lifestyle specialist, a cruise lecturer, an author, and an entrepreneur.
A study by Cornell University found that over half (57%) of retirees wished they had planned more for the non-financial aspects of their retirement. As a result I have dedicated the rest of my professional life to helping individuals take purposeful action to create meaningful lives now so they will be prepared for a successful retirement later. My passion is to encourage and support individuals, especially educators, in putting as much effort into the personal aspects of their retirement as they do into their financial planning, and to start planning their "Next Steps" while they are still employed. A successful retirement requires special planning, implementation and on-going review. I have created the "What's Next System", a series of 7 important steps every retiree needs to design their dream life now and in retirement.
A. Individuals just like you who:
- Are scared of the unknown,
- Do not know what they want to do when they "grow up",
- Want to redesign their lives to incorporate more of the things they truly want to accomplish,
- Want assistance designing their ideal retirement,
- Are ready for a change,
- Want a sounding board to focus their ideas,
- Want to clarify their values to learn what's truly important to them,
- Value a meaningful life more than material possessions,
- Are asking soul-searching questions such as "How will I spend my time?", "What do I really like to do?" and "What will keep me motivated?"
A. What separates my service from other retirement planners is that I specialize in the personal, non-financial aspects of retirement such as helping my clients ignite forgotten dreams, finding their mission and purpose for a meaningful life. My clients receive proven, specific step-by-step information on exactly what they need to do to create the lives they want. As a result, those who work with me create extraordinary lives easily, effortlessly and with joy. They learn how to:
- Create action plans that suit their lives with the support and assistance of someone who believes in them.
- Focus their inner passions and desires into valuable goals.
- Convert their retirement into an enjoyable and rewarding time of change.
A. The coaching programs were created for individuals planning their retirement lifestyle who wish to remain active, involved, or productive in activities that are meaningful to them. This may include creating more balance in life, exploring new directions, expanding options, or developing an identify apart from your present work role. I work ONLY with clients who are really, really serious about creating a plan for their lives after work - those who are eager for a great retirement and will not settle for less.
You will be expected to take consistent action to achieve the results you want.
A. Our consultations will take place by telephone from your home or office. You and I will have one weekly conference that serves as a regular appointment to discuss your assignments, determine your next steps, clarify goals, and set necessary deadlines. In between these consultations, you will have the opportunity to address questions and concerns that come up during the week, via email correspondence or by phone with me.
A. All of my clients who have dedicated the time, taken action, and completed the assignments have achieved outstanding results. If you do the same, you too will enjoy an extraordinary life.
A. It all depends on you. If you put your heart and soul into your program, you can expect to see results in less than 90 days. Anyone who diligently follows the program will experience a smooth and easy transition to a great retirement. The sooner you start implementing the program, the sooner you will begin to see results as long as you take consistent action. There is no question that you will be better prepared for a meaningful retirement... and that, as far as I am concerned, is of the highest value.
A. Take one of my free monthly teleseminars (via the phone in the comfort of your home). It's free of charge and you will get an overview of the whole program, and most importantly, get a feel for how I work with my clients. Past participants have overwhelmingly said this was the best 60 minutes they have ever spent. (If you like what you get during this short amount of time with me, imagine the results you could achieve from taking any of my coaching programs.
Another way to sample my coaching is by subscribing to my blog. It will provide you with proven tips, the latest tools and powerful techniques.
A. Yes, we only accept credit cards.
A. Great! You have two different options to choose from, depending on how quickly you want to see results, how much time you need to speak to me directly, and your budget.
Click here to find out more.
I'm ready to do this but I have a couple of additional questions. Can I call you?
Yes, you can take advantage of my no cost consultation by
emailing me or calling 203-855-9714. I will contact you via email in 24 - 48 hours to arrange your phone consultation.
For more information contact
Dr. Cynthia Barnett
P.O. Box 702
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-855-9714
