One of my clients has decided the time has come to stop, hang up his working boots and retire.
I am very pleased for him.
He has worked uninterrupted for more than 40 years.
His work is intellectually demanding, creative and stimulating. He is brilliant at it. Of course, it wasn’t always like that. There were long stretches where he felt that he wasn’t up to the mark. He tells me that for most of his working life, work was a stretch in one direction or another: intellectually, emotionally, professionally, politically – even now.
Now that he has made the decision to retire, he can’t wait for the day. Still, he wonders and analyses.
Pondering
“I can’t decide whether my desire to retire is a positive or negative decision.”
“Am I retiring because I want to make space for other things I have not had time for? Am I retiring because the travel is getting too much? Or I can’t hack the job anymore? Or am I doing it simply because I cannot be bothered with the hassle any longer?”
“Are you asking me what I think?” I queried. “Yes,” he said.
Me: “I have three observations”
Him: “Go on then!”
Me: “Point number one: I think your desire to retire is your inner guide telling you it is time.”
Me: “Secondly, it does not matter whether it is positive or negative. Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
Him: “That is certainly true!”
Me: “Thirdly, you intellectualise too much!”
Him: “It’s my job! I am paid to analyse, intellectualise, come up with ideas and strategies or pontificate on others’ ideas and strategies.”
Me: “Of course. And the beauty of it is, you don’t have to do it for much longer!”
Him: “I AM looking forward to that! I have been putting it off for so long, now I just want it to happen!”
And it will. Of course, it will.
Endorsement
Then this morning, I found this endorsement from him in my inbox:
I recently had a coaching session with one of my team members. During the session, which was entirely impromptu, and afterwards, I realised that I was using tools and techniques to help express myself and more especially to provide guidance, that I had gained from Riana.
The advice was well received and although I will not necessarily be able to see the full effects, I know that certainly I felt so much more self-confident in offering guidance. I know that I have been exposed to Riana’s advice over several years and it has certainly paid off handsomely.
Several years ago I would never have been able to feel as I do now nor been able to express the ideas that came very naturally without a shadow of hesitation.
Agreed, this may not work the same way for you, but it has certainly worked for me.
Wow! Thank you! It blew my socks off!
I know, you are probably wondering who this mysterious person is.
Sadly, due to the nature of his work he cannot do a public endorsement, so it will have to remain from Mr A.N. Onymous. Still, I am profoundly grateful to him for taking the trouble to express such a heartfelt sentiment.
How can I help you?
If you want a taste of what he was referring to, it is very easy.
Just book yourself into my diary right here and at the appointed time we’ll have a conversation where you can tell me what’s going on for you; where you are now, your big dream, who or what will help you and so on.
You know, sometimes all I have to do for a client is hold the faith. Remind them why they are doing what they’re doing, how great they are and what they have already achieved. It’s great! I love it.
And I love it when they have results like Mr. A.N. Onymous, don’t you?
Why not give it a go yourself? Schedule a discovery call right now. Let’s talk.
Photo Credit: RgbStock.com
