What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?: Starting the Next Chapter of Your Life

As a counsellor, I have found many individuals discover "anticipating retirement" and "living in retirement" are two very different things. In the next ten years, I, too, will be "growing up" and facing this new chapter of my life. However, there are so many plans for my future, I only hope my health, financial resources and stamina will allow me to fulfill these ambitions. To me, retirement is like planting and tending a garden. First, one must plan carefully (you do not want to waste your precious years on activities that do not bring you joy and fulfillment.) Then, one should decide what plants (projects, hobbies, activities) to sow, not only to keep you physically active, but metally alert. Finally, one must lovingly tend that garden (nourish the soul, maintain physical health, and weed the emotional clutter from the past.) If you have lost a spouse, partner or soul-mate during this planting season, it is important to grieve, but it is equally important to know when to let go and when it is time to plant a new garden. Remember, time waits for no one. Only then, will one be prepared to start the next chapter of their life. We all need to have hopes, goals and dreams, no matter what our age. In this book, the author points out the positive ways of dealing with change and how to plan and approach this new period in the lifecycle. Anyone approaching mid-life can certainly benefit from this book; it is never to soon to plan for the future. If you are already into your retirement years, this book may be just the inspiration you need if the years are not as challenging and fulfilling as you anticipated. The author has a lot to say on the subject and it is a great book based on sound advice.

As a mid-sixties professional who retired about five years ago from my own business,and then found myself in a true depression until I sought help, I found this book remarkably acute regarding the questions that I should have thought to ask myself, the planning I should have done, and the problems that would arise for me when I no longer had the structure of my working life to support me. Doctor Cantor's amazing understanding of the dynamics of retirement has helped me immeasurably to understand myself in what is an exciting but very complicated period, and her practical advice is advice I wish I had had before I retired!! I cannot imagine anyone approaching the later stages of life who would not benefit enormously from Dr. Cantor's insights and help. GET THIS BOOK!

Dr. Cantor has written a brilliant analysis of the fears of facing retirement, and how to plan for a meaningful life after work ends. I keep giving this book to friends who are looking for more for their anticipated leisure than bridge and golf. Dr Cantor outlines practical ways to figure out our strengths and interests to craft together a blueprint for the last third of our lives.

Dr. Cantor's book is inspiring and practical - here are steps to help think through retirement, or any time of change. She provides a structure that makes it easier to know yourself and figure out what you really want to do with your life. What is most inspiring is that her approach can make you feel less anxious, and even excited about new possibilities. Age doesn't seem to matter so much, when you view it the way Dr. Cantor suggests.

I have a husband talking retirement (with the aging government workforce, what Fed is not?), but concentrating on how much we will need to make it. Years ago, I switched careers from an unhappy pharmacist technician to a librarian and book reviewer, but panicked over a drop in income. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP? would have been quite handy and is quite useful for my spouse's near future plans. The self-help tome is extremely helpful in a practical way as it reminds individuals that financial security and physical health are important, but to make sure that personal fulfillment is not ignored. Though advertised for retirees, wannabe-retirees, or mid-life job swappers, this book should be required reading for high school and college students because the steps and exercises help the reader focus on personal goals. Dorothy Cantor and Andrea Thompson have written a winner that provides useful guidance in an easy to follow and read book that assists the individual "starting the next chapter of your life".Harriet Klausner