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Launch Your Encore: Finding Adventure and Purpose Later in Life by Hans Finzel
In 2011, the first of the 76 million baby boomers--nearly a quarter of the US population--began turning 65. Every day for the next fifteen years, over ten thousand of them will celebrate that birthday. And for the first time in history, this generation will enjoy many years post-career pursing meaning and purpose outside of traditional retirement. What will they do with that time? One thing is for most of them want to find something meaningful. This book lays out the choices to be made to find fulfillment in the encore years of life. "Launch Your Encore" is a game plan for life after one's main-act career. Hans Finzel and Rick Hicks show boomers how to enter this new stage of life poised for personal satisfaction and contributions to society. They offer tested advice on finding new life potential and thriving in these later decades of life. With real-life examples of people who have made the transition from full-time work to volunteering, ministry, or even second careers, "Launch Your Encore" shows boomers how to make an impact later in life.
- GenresNonfiction
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 10, 2015
51 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 20, 2019
Not really my cup of tea. I am nearing retirement and thought it might be useful. It was written for a different audience than me.
November 6, 2017
Very helpful book!
July 22, 2015
Good advice and lots to think about. Will definitely fall back on these words.
January 24, 2022
Enjoyed this book. Provided great information for individuals nearing retirement. Pointed out that retirement, as we know, can mean different things to different people. Some desire to travel, others hone a talent and some will spend time with family. Yet, instill, others will seek other employment opportunities. The author helps you to understand how you can fine tune things and welcome this stage with pride. It’s your transition and you define it as you choose.
Retirement, for me, since reading this book, has a new perspective. I was able to truly embrace all that the Baby Boomer generation has to consider and not fear what’s ahead or what is left behind. The list of resources provided were phenomenal. I truly have a better understanding and acceptance of living fully and dying slowly (simply because I do have more time behind me than I have ahead of me).
Retirement, for me, since reading this book, has a new perspective. I was able to truly embrace all that the Baby Boomer generation has to consider and not fear what’s ahead or what is left behind. The list of resources provided were phenomenal. I truly have a better understanding and acceptance of living fully and dying slowly (simply because I do have more time behind me than I have ahead of me).
March 17, 2017
This is a great book to help those thinking about retirement. It is a great tool to help in the planning what can be a very wonderful, productive life as they enter their "elderlescence" years. It reinforces and encourages those in their "60-80 window" to find what is fulfilling, worthwhile, and meaningful. The book includes exercises and methods to help readers find self worth and happiness in their "retirement" years.
This is a wonderful must read for anyone "thinking" about retirement, no matter what your age or for anyone already retired but struggling with the "what now" question.
This is a wonderful must read for anyone "thinking" about retirement, no matter what your age or for anyone already retired but struggling with the "what now" question.
August 14, 2015
Summary: A guide to living purposefully from 60 onward, which many call "retirement" but the authors consider our "encore".
"When are you planning to retire?" It is a question I get asked more these days. The authors of this book would suggest that this is a definite tip-off that it is time for me to be planning my "encore" -- how I want to live in the later years of my life, what they call the "60-80 window" or elderlescence. I agree. I'm in that window and so was curious to see how they would approach this.
They begin by speaking of the challenge of the later years, particularly as we are living longer. Sometimes we just try not to think about it, which is probably the worst strategy. Transitions in work responsibilities, needing to step aside for the rising generation, and changes in our health and life circumstances including the advent of grand-children spell a change that either can be some of the best years of our lives, or a dark and bitter time.
From this they turn in the second part of the book to the choices we must make. This includes a simple but clear set of biblical principles for financial health in later life. They also talk about life-mapping--considering our life journey. We can learn much from who we've become over the years that is of worth in discerning who we want to be in the years ahead.
Part three is real-life stories that describe a variety of ways people have planned and lived out their "encores." We see a couple who plan their encore together, another who practices "rolling retirement" and a retired college administrator who launches a charity providing shoes for children: Shoes That Fit.
The last part begins with a "God perspective" on who we are. Then they describe a number of assessment tools that may give us further insights. The most valuable insight for me was that, like many, I've taken these assessments before, but the approach of our "encore" years may bring out different qualities that we ignored in favor of those our jobs demanded. They talk candidly of the need to walk through transition space, what others might call liminal space. And finally they detail what needs to go into a personal encore plan, encapsulated in these nine elements:
1. Listening to the voices of your past.
2. Completing the "me at my best" exercise.
3. Identifying your temperament.
4. Facing your fears.
5. Clarifying your dreams.
6. Defining your finances.
7. Prioritizing your time commitments.
8. Brainstorming specific options.
9. Envisioning the future.
They give helpful exercises for each of these elements and conclude the book with a list of other helpful references and links to resources that may help in planning one's encore.
I thought this book was a simple and straightforward guidebook to the decisions one must make to navigate the transition from what might be considered "the main act" of our lives to our "encore". While written from a Christian perspective, there was much of benefit regardless one's faith.
At concerts, groups save some of their best stuff, their crowd favorites until the encore. The language of encore suggests that far from the show being over when we hit the 60-80 window, it might be the time for some of our best numbers. But it doesn't happen without thought and planning and these authors provide a good handbook that seems to ask the important questions.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
"When are you planning to retire?" It is a question I get asked more these days. The authors of this book would suggest that this is a definite tip-off that it is time for me to be planning my "encore" -- how I want to live in the later years of my life, what they call the "60-80 window" or elderlescence. I agree. I'm in that window and so was curious to see how they would approach this.
They begin by speaking of the challenge of the later years, particularly as we are living longer. Sometimes we just try not to think about it, which is probably the worst strategy. Transitions in work responsibilities, needing to step aside for the rising generation, and changes in our health and life circumstances including the advent of grand-children spell a change that either can be some of the best years of our lives, or a dark and bitter time.
From this they turn in the second part of the book to the choices we must make. This includes a simple but clear set of biblical principles for financial health in later life. They also talk about life-mapping--considering our life journey. We can learn much from who we've become over the years that is of worth in discerning who we want to be in the years ahead.
Part three is real-life stories that describe a variety of ways people have planned and lived out their "encores." We see a couple who plan their encore together, another who practices "rolling retirement" and a retired college administrator who launches a charity providing shoes for children: Shoes That Fit.
The last part begins with a "God perspective" on who we are. Then they describe a number of assessment tools that may give us further insights. The most valuable insight for me was that, like many, I've taken these assessments before, but the approach of our "encore" years may bring out different qualities that we ignored in favor of those our jobs demanded. They talk candidly of the need to walk through transition space, what others might call liminal space. And finally they detail what needs to go into a personal encore plan, encapsulated in these nine elements:
1. Listening to the voices of your past.
2. Completing the "me at my best" exercise.
3. Identifying your temperament.
4. Facing your fears.
5. Clarifying your dreams.
6. Defining your finances.
7. Prioritizing your time commitments.
8. Brainstorming specific options.
9. Envisioning the future.
They give helpful exercises for each of these elements and conclude the book with a list of other helpful references and links to resources that may help in planning one's encore.
I thought this book was a simple and straightforward guidebook to the decisions one must make to navigate the transition from what might be considered "the main act" of our lives to our "encore". While written from a Christian perspective, there was much of benefit regardless one's faith.
At concerts, groups save some of their best stuff, their crowd favorites until the encore. The language of encore suggests that far from the show being over when we hit the 60-80 window, it might be the time for some of our best numbers. But it doesn't happen without thought and planning and these authors provide a good handbook that seems to ask the important questions.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 4, 2015
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
A lot of our society in the United States is bent towards staying young. We have creams, potions, foods to eat or not eat, exercising, and even having surgeries.
In Launch Your Encore, Finzel and Hicks believe that just because a person ages does not mean that their usefulness diminshes. In fact, they would suggest that a "second career" should take place.
They show that maturity is greatly needed today and that such people should take the initiative to find adventure and to live with purpose in the later stages of life.
What I liked about this book is that getting older is not something to fear but rather be enjoyed and then shared with the next generation. Would more seasoned people take this approach I believe our society would greatly benefit.
A lot of our society in the United States is bent towards staying young. We have creams, potions, foods to eat or not eat, exercising, and even having surgeries.
In Launch Your Encore, Finzel and Hicks believe that just because a person ages does not mean that their usefulness diminshes. In fact, they would suggest that a "second career" should take place.
They show that maturity is greatly needed today and that such people should take the initiative to find adventure and to live with purpose in the later stages of life.
What I liked about this book is that getting older is not something to fear but rather be enjoyed and then shared with the next generation. Would more seasoned people take this approach I believe our society would greatly benefit.
February 11, 2017
With not having children and being able to retire with 30 years of service in about another 8 or so years, my husband and I are already thinking about our "encore". Our 60-80 phase is going to start more around 55 so we're already making plans and dreaming of the future. This book confirmed that we're on the right track for preparing for later in life.
March 28, 2015
Goodreads winner.
Inspirational Christian advice on achieving a vital and fulfilling retirement. Useful, insightful information on finding significance in the post-career life stage that the authors call the "60-80 Window" or "elderescence".
Inspirational Christian advice on achieving a vital and fulfilling retirement. Useful, insightful information on finding significance in the post-career life stage that the authors call the "60-80 Window" or "elderescence".
July 15, 2015
Fulfilling your second career
This book helps you look at your retirement years as a time you need to plan for as sort of a second career that fulfills what you have always wanted to accomplish in life
This book helps you look at your retirement years as a time you need to plan for as sort of a second career that fulfills what you have always wanted to accomplish in life
August 4, 2015
A helpful book for people in their 50s and beyond to plan their future through the use of practical exercises. Even at age 72 I will be looking at some of these exercises to plan the next decade and beyond.
Read
February 14, 2016The future's so bright!
I'm almost 52yrs old. I really enjoyed this book and would rate it number 1 in getting ready for my encore and being an entrepreneur. I would recommend this to anyone.
I'm almost 52yrs old. I really enjoyed this book and would rate it number 1 in getting ready for my encore and being an entrepreneur. I would recommend this to anyone.
March 22, 2020
This is for all those wealthy, retired CEOs or people who have the money to start an adventure, travel, start their own non-profit business. For those of us who have no money when we retire and do not have an upscale living environment, this book is not for us.
June 18, 2015
Good information and advice about retirement years.
August 7, 2015
This is a very timely book for those of us who are at that age of 60-80 or getting close. Written in an easy to read style. Gives the reader much to consider in planning for this next stage of life.
December 31, 2016
Some good advice in this book, but it seems aimed more at people who have "first" careers.
Read
June 20, 2017lots of good ideas to ponder & discuss.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews