MyNextSeason

You are now your own enterprise
Executives are powerful leaders. They have assistance. They have people waiting for their decisions. Letting go of those trappings can be challenging. What I realized was, when you retire, you trade that power for full control of your life. At first, all that control can seem scary because you realize you’re responsible for every decision you’re making. It brings with it a burden and a blessing—meaning it’s on you to decide. The way I explain it to others is: you are now your own enterprise. You are now managing your life and career the way you managed your business unit before. With that comes: What is my business plan? Where are my information gaps? How do I tap into my network to reach my goals?

Titles are temporary… brands are timeless
Letting go of a title like Global Brand President, I wondered how will I be perceived? How will I remain relevant? How will I remain productive? In the end, I learned that I didn’t need the title for people to perceive me as a strong leader. I brought my personal brand with me. I’m just focusing it differently and in a way that taps into my interests and my priorities at this stage of life.

Filtering the noise
People were interested to see how I would translate or evolve my leadership, title, and style into a much different way of working. I sometimes had to filter out the noise of people around me who said things like ‘what are you going to do with your time?’ The comments that are always well intended but not always helpful. I learned to stick my guns on why I made that decision. To listen to the best of what they offered and filter out reactions not relevant to me.

Staying true to who you are
When I look at my current activities, they all involve education or mentorship. I started my own leadership development LLC, I advise a wide range of clients for MyNextSeason, I’m an adjunct professor at my alma mater, and I am the chair of a not-for-profit organization that supports LGBTQ students with scholarships and leadership training. I’ve always had a passion for mentoring throughout my career, but it’s different now outside the realm of a corporate umbrella. It’s more personal and that’s what I find extremely rewarding.

Balance isn’t always easy
I chose to retire when I did, which was at age 61, and I was looking forward to it. The result has been even more positive than I thought it would be. I now appreciate how many interests I’m able to incorporate into my days. However, it’s an ongoing vigilance to keep my priorities straight and make sure I’m not pursuing more than I want to take on. That means being able to course correct—expand my time with some activities and pull back on others. But the interesting thing for me has been the learning curve of being the one who decides. I have to be disciplined in thinking, “How do I want to use and enjoy my time and what’s going to give me the best balance?”

Pivoting from uncertainty to confidence
When you retire and new opportunities haven’t kicked in yet, it can be a difficult moment to navigate because you’re acutely of aware of what you’re leaving behind. Even though I chose to retire, I was open to the opportunity of help with this transition. The MyNextSeason process gave me the armor and confidence to move forward that I didn’t think I needed, but in actuality I did. It’s what I now try to give to others as an advisor. When I work with clients on what is important to them, what they can start researching and investigating and adding to their life now, the excitement level starts really growing and letting go becomes easier.

A big perk of letting go
The ability to go on vacation free of anxiety, emails, and texts is amazing. I used to always wonder what’s going on? What email am I missing? Now I say, wow, what a difference it makes for my mind to be completely free. That joy has never stopped.

Looking toward the future

I look forward to exploring the possibility of a corporate board seat and expanding the variety of executive advising and mentoring that I do. Over the last few years, the types of clients I work with have become increasingly diverse in terms of life and career stage. That keeps me sharp. It exposes me to different types of people’s needs. I grow from that.

While honoring the past

If you had a gratifying career, how could you not miss certain things? But that is supplanted by a whole new world of opportunity and excitement. It’s normal and it’s a nice thing. It’s like smiling at something as you look back with fondness.