Weekly Newsletter from Osprey
?Gillian Andale
??I help Couples who want a pragmatic approach to having a strong relationship in their business or retirement life together. Multi-award winner, International Speaker and Author??
Couples Dynamics
Welcome to this week's newsletter. Each week I provide articles, tips, strategies, and advice to address the challenges of couples and families who work together in the business they own.
This week I have an exciting announcement. We will be extending our core services to couples who are entering retirement and a new stage of their lives where they will be spending more time together. This is the theme this week.
Note: Retirement doesn't mean working until you are 65+. I have several friends who have retired in their late 30s and 40s!
Rediscovering Harmony
Once upon a time, there lived a successful businessman named George. For years, George dedicated his life to his work, leaving little time for anything else. His wife, Emily, had her own career as a librarian, a quiet, thoughtful life that contrasted starkly with George's hectic pace. George had made sure his retirement was to be well funded so he could sit back and enjoy what his years of hard work had delivered.
The day George retired, he found himself in a strange, new world: a world with no meetings, no deadlines, and no business trips. At first, he enjoyed the luxury of free time, but soon, a sense of unease crept in. He realised that the life he had outside of work was unfamiliar to him, especially his relationship with Emily.
Emily, with her love for books and her tranquil way of life, seemed like a stranger to George. Their conversations, once limited to brief dinners and occasional holidays, now stretched into long hours. They found their interests vastly different: George loved the thrill of action movies and golf, while Emily preferred the quietude of her garden and the pages of classic literature.
As days turned into weeks, the initial discomfort gave way to a deeper realisation. George began to appreciate the nuances of Emily's world. He started joining her in the garden, marveling at the beauty of the flowers and the butterflies. In turn, Emily took an interest in George's hobbies, asking questions about his golf techniques and even sitting through a few action movies, trying to find the appeal he saw in them.
Through these shared experiences, they began to rediscover each other. They laughed more, shared stories of their past, and began to weave their interests into a tapestry of shared experiences. George learned the value of silence and reflection from Emily, while Emily found a new appreciation for the spontaneity and excitement that George brought into her life.
The couple, who had once lived parallel lives under the same roof, now found a new harmony in their daily routine. They adapted to each other's worlds, creating a balance that had been missing in their years of busyness. In retirement, they found not only each other but also a new way of living, one that was richer and more fulfilling than either had known before.
Moral: Retirement opened a new chapter for George and Emily, teaching them that adaptation and shared experiences could rekindle a closeness and harmony that had been overshadowed by their working lives.
Identity Compasses i.e. Personality profiling, and understanding each other's values, love languages, archetypes, and needs are still important no matter your age and where you are in your life.
Two quotes this week:
"For many, retirement is a time for personal growth, which becomes the path to greater freedom." – Robert Delamontague.
"Retirement is a blank sheet of paper. It is a chance to redesign your life into something new and different." – Patrick Foley
Retirement planning tends to focus on the finances. However, there are plenty of other things to plan. Here are three podcasts that can be found on Goodpods:
Do phrases like "You're driving me mad, you're always in my space!", "Why don't you find something to do?" or "We have so little in common anymore.", "I need some alone time" sound familiar? As couples transition from the busyness of work life or the routines of being a homemaker to the uncharted territory of retirement, it's a pivotal moment for self-discovery and mutual understanding.
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Embracing Self-Discovery in Retirement
Retirement isn't just about winding down (though there's plenty of room for that!). It's a golden opportunity for both partners, regardless of their previous roles, to delve deeper into who they are. Whether you've been in the workforce or managing the home front, this new phase is a chance to rediscover yourselves beyond traditional roles.
Personality Types:
Have you ever taken a personality test like Wealth Dynamics? It's more than just fun; it's insightful. Understanding your personality type helps in figuring out what you want from retirement, be it relaxing, pursuing a new venture, or exploring hobbies that have always intrigued you.
Values:
Our values are our guiding stars. Now's the time to reflect on what's truly important to you and how you want to align your retirement life with these core values. This reflection is crucial, whether you're planning a quiet life or considering a new business adventure, separately or together.
Love Languages:
More time with your partner in retirement is a blessing. But it also calls for a deeper understanding of each other's love languages. This knowledge can enrich your relationship, making every moment spent together more meaningful and fulfilling.
Archetypes and Human Needs:
Exploring deeper motivations, like through Rory Kilmartin's archetypes or Tony Robbins’ human needs, can offer profound insights. It’s about identifying what fulfills you emotionally and mentally, and how that aligns with your partner's needs and desires.
Principles:
Retirement is an ideal time to ponder the principles that guide your life. Reflect on your personal philosophies and consider how these might evolve to suit your new lifestyle and shared goals as a couple.
Practical Steps for a Shared Retirement Journey
Crafting Your Retirement Life Together:
With a deeper understanding of who you both are, you can jointly design a retirement life that’s both fulfilling and exciting. Whether it's travel, volunteering, or starting a new project, do it in a way that brings joy to both of you.
Building Stronger Relationships:
Understanding yourself and your partner more deeply enhances all your relationships. It allows for a closer, more harmonious, bond, especially important in this significant life transition.
Embracing Change Together:
Moving from a structured work life or the daily routines of home management to the freedom of retirement is a major shift. Understanding yourselves and each other is key to navigating this change positively and smoothly.
Stepping Into a New Chapter
Retirement isn’t just about stepping back from work or daily routines; it's an incredible opportunity to embark on a journey of personal and mutual exploration. Embracing your unique identities can transform retirement from a comfortable continuation of your life into an enriching, exciting new adventure.
As you step into this new chapter, take the time to explore all facets of your identities. The insights gained will be invaluable in creating a life that’s not just an extension of the past but a wonderful new journey together.
If you would like a chat about how to design your new life and understand your unique identities to make the most of your retirement? Feel free to connect with me to see if there are synergies and whether you would like to join our community of like-minded people. Here is a link to my calendar or DM me. https://calendly.com/ospreyvip/partnership-harmony
I'm still here in Australia, as a semi-retiree I am enjoying the freedom of 'working from anywhere'. I was due back to the UK in early February but have decided to stay until mid-February for better weather, the fabulous beaches, and time with the children and grandchildren.
In the last couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of spending time with Mags Bell Keynote Speaker, Podcaster and Coach to Executives l (should have been 1 hour and we stopped talking after 6 hours). I also attended excellent web events with Paul Avins , and the amazing Daniel Priestley . I also attended a virtual mastermind with my M&A mentor Jonathan Jay and have joined Richard Woods Linkedin for Breakfast community. I have also subscribed to Premium/Sales Navigator to evaluate the benefits.
Motivational Keynote Speaker (Leadership & Mindset), Author Podcaster and Coach to Senior Leaders. Serving Business Owners and C-Suite Executives to Cut, Polish and Reset their own Inner Diamonds ?? and their Companies.
1 年A subject that is not considered enough in so many people’s lives as the reach that next chapter. Great insights ?Gillian Andale. Love that your now offering this service ??