Mary Jo Kreitzer

1. Mary Jo Kreitzer Director, Center for Spirituality and Healing

2. Purpose is a powerful driver of our lives that is different from a job or career.

3. If you could live your life over, what would you do differently? People said that they would: - be more reflective. - be more courageous. - be clear earlier about purpose.

5. What’s happening now? • First of 77 million baby boomers turned 60. • This “tidal wave” has transformed every aspect of society from the time they were babies. • 60 is the new 40. Average US lifespan has grown by 30 years.

6. What’s happening now? • Boomers have very different ideas about retirement. • 4/5 people over 50 say that they will work in retirement. • High interest in civic engagement, giving back, improving the quality of life in their communities. • “Encore” careers.

8. Evidence of new ideas, expectations and opportunities for the baby boomer generation.

15. Mature Market Institute“Age Branding” • Anti-Aging • Age-Adaptive • Age-Affirmative

16. The new story is about re-firement, not retirement.

18. Leap of Faith

19. Law of Attraction • Energy flows where attention goes. • What are you paying attention to?

20. Claiming your place at the Fire

21. Flames of Vital Aging “Tasks of Elderhood” • Growing • Loving • Learning • Giving

24. Honey Guide Story • What we need in life is available to us if only we know how to look for it. • Getting what really matters in life depends above all on giving it back.

25. Who are the elders in your life who guide and inspire you?What characteristics do they embody?Who do you want to be like and why?

26. Task: Growing Commit to re-inventing ourselves. Identify our gifts. Ask: who am I and where do I grow from here? Identity: The Vision Flame

29. Task: Loving Identify new friends. Diversify relationships. Ask: Who is my tribe? Where is my place? Community: The Heart Flame

30. Task: Learning Turn inward and heed our calling. Commit to exploring our creativity. Identify new dreams to pursue. Ask: If not now, when? Passion: The Creative Flame

31. Task: Giving Commit to giving back. What is my purpose? What am I called to do? Purpose: The Soul’s Flame

32. If there was a museum of outdated beliefs about aging, what would top the list?

33. Contrasting Generational Views30’s vs. over the age of 50 • Older adults need … • One of the greatest fears of older adults is … • Older adults tend to resent … • One of the greatest pleasures of older adults is …

34. Fighting Ageism is the next big social battle.

35. The Good Life • Living in the place you belong, with the people you love, doing the right work, on purpose.

36. Calling Cards • A journey of discovery that begins with recognizing your special gifts – those with which you are naturally endowed.

37. Formula

38. Are you using your gifts on things that you care about, that fit with your values, and in an environment that supports you?

39. Calling Cards – sort into 3 piles • Those that fit me. • Those that sort of fit me. • Those that don’t fit me.

40. Calling Cards • Select the top 5 • If you were forced to pick just one, what would it be?

41. My Calling Card • In your own words, what is your single strongest preference? • Acorn – what is embedded inside?

42. Work Environments

43. Investigative Environment • Attracts people who enjoy researching and analyzing things in depth. Like to produce results more than implement them. Love to problem-solve.

44. Artistic Environment • Attracts people who enjoy creating, producing original work, prefer unstructured environments.

45. Social Environment • Attracts people who enjoy helping others. Prefer to generate solutions for people and social problems. Prefer participative environments.

46. Enterprising Environments • Attract people who like to focus on results and the bottom line. Prefer competitive environments.

47. Conventional Environments • Attracts people who are implementers – enjoy carrying out plans and details. Like clearly defined tasks and orderly and efficient environments.

48. Realistic Environments • Attracts people who are hands-on. Prefer to produce useful things. Like structured environments.

49. The Purpose Inventory

50. Creating a Sounding Board“Criteria for Membership” • They are interested and interesting. • They listen deeply. • They ask great questions. • They practice courageous conversations – are honest with you and will tell you the truth.