Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/256387
preneurs in Africa. "We are grateful that we are able to work together and apply our skills and experience in a way that is both rewarding and fun," Amy Brakeman explains. How Do You Know When You Are Ready? When we think about retirement readiness, we often think of having our finances in order. While this is essential, being psychologically prepared for retirement is also important. Key considerations include: Have you accom- plished what you wanted to do in this job? Do you feel complete? Are you emotionally ready to move on? A transition period during which time you shift to part-time work or consulting status can help ascertain readiness while taking the initial steps forward. Dr. Sally Ourieff, a local executive coach and founder of Translational Consulting, challenges her clients to prepare themselves by developing a vision for what they are retir- ing to, not just from. (See "Assessing Your Emotional Retirement Readiness" for a list of questions to consider.) To develop this vision, it is often helpful to talk with people already in retirement. What appeals to you about their lifestyle? What does not? What is working well for them? What has been chal- lenging? According to Ourieff, it is especially important for those who have built their own business to have concrete goals. "It is very hard to let go," she says. "People need to have a strong vision for themselves in a new kind of life." Ourieff encourages her clients to pre- pare early and to consider what they need to do in order to realize their retirement dream. More training? Networking? Exploring vol- unteer opportunities? Getting in shape? Recognize that this is a "working" vision and is likely to morph into something else as ideas become reality and time passes. In addition to helping prepare for transi- tion, this visioning process is a key input to determining financial readiness: How much Are You Ready to Retire? 94 W e l l e s l e y W e s t o n M a g a z i n e | s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 090-102_WWMa14_ready to retire_v3_WellesleyWeston Magazine 2/1/14 4:34 PM Page 94