We all admire inspirational coaches who have provided direction and support in the pursuit of athletic dreams. Whether the pursuit is for attaining a professional position or securing a LIttle League championship, coaches make the goals more attainable. Talents and abilities are already there for success, they just need to be channeled in the right direction. In this game of life, we benefit from coaches that have the expertise to hit the winning marks. Learn how a retirement coach is the right choice for maximizing your future.
What is a retirement coach? A retirement coach is a specialized life coach that helps you to be mentally and emotionally prepared for what happens as your career draws to a close. While financial advisers focus on preparing you to be able to support yourself, retirement coaches focus on a broad range of issues that retirees face, including the development of productive routines, transitioning social circles, diminishing physical abilities and deepening family ties.
Retirement coaches anticipate and understand the challenges and opportunities that retirement brings and stand ready to assist as a strong blend of mentor, therapist, consultant and friend.
Learn more about how retirement coaching is beneficial for those seeking to enrich and secure this rewarding phase of life.
Steps to Hiring a Retirement Coach
There will be an average of 3.6 million people reaching the age of 65 over the next two decades. This reality of the aging of the world’s workforce is sending many in a scramble for answers. The need for retirement coaches is exploding. To keep up with the demand, there is an ever-growing number of coaches from which to choose. It is vital to select a retirement coach tailored to fit your needs and goals.
Not only are more people nearing retirement age than ever before, retirement also lasts longer than it did for former generations. New retirees anticipate up to two to three decades of post-career years to invest. Because of these staggering realities, there are no longer restrictions and expectations for what this phase should look like. You have the freedom to forge your own path. This thought is both exciting and overwhelming.
Retirement doesn’t simply mean to stop working. For many, it simply means entering another earning opportunity that affords more flexibility or time off. This phase now requires planning and seeking expert guidance to realize maximum results. The opportunities for learning, growth and rejuvenation are endless. Follow these steps for selecting a winning retirement coach:
1. Do your homework
Clarify in your mind what you want to gain by hiring a retirement coach. Brainstorm the benefits you desire to obtain. You may include talking with those who have previously partnered with this type of adviser. Find out what worked well and what steps were challenging or frustrating. Check online to find testimonials of those who were both thrilled and disappointed in their experiences. Doing your homework will help you know what qualities to seek and what situations to avoid in the selection process.
2. Clarify your criteria
Once you have done your homework, you are ready to develop a list of essential characteristics for your ideal coach. Is it important to you to meet in person, or are you willing to work with someone virtually? Can you be sure that your coach values your background and skill set? Do you have complimentary personalities? How essential are formal training and certifications and a variety of experiences to you?
3. Interview three coaches
After you clarify what is imperative for you, narrow your choices to three candidates. Be upfront about your process and keep strong communication throughout the selection phase. Be willing to consider someone of an opposite gender or outside of your age range or ethnic background. Compare contrasting styles and approaches to find the coach most in tune with what you desire.
4. Talk first and listen carefully
Think through what you want your candidates to understand about you. Focus on how well your potential coaches listen and the feedback you receive. Prepare targeted, thoughtful questions to reveal each candidate’s abilities and strengths. Determine what drives the approach of each candidate. Find out about their training and the number of clients they have served. Ask for examples of successes and learning situations.
5. Watch what they ask you – and what they don’t
Give your candidates opportunities to ask questions and listen carefully. What elements do they emphasize? Remember that what is omitted is as telling as what is included.
6. Request references
Anyone can talk a good game. Ask for references and take the time to follow-up with each one. These discussions will give you a wealth of information about the results they are able to produce.
Traits Of Great Retirement Coaches
You now know a great strategy for effectively hiring the right retirement coach. How will you know when a winning coach is sitting before you? Consider these vital traits that all great retirement coaches share.
1. They help us see the bigger picture
The best retirement coaches guide their clients to understand their own goals in a collaborative manner. These coaches build a comprehensive strategy for navigating the physical, financial and emotional decisions with end goals in mind. A great coach will discourage any actions that derail long-term objectives.
2. They’re experts at what they do
Skilled coaches encourage their clients to think creatively and look for more efficient options. The best advisers constantly look to the experts themselves and pass on what they learn to their clients. They have a growth mindset that allows them to continually become greater experts at what they do.
They give us confidence and peace of mind.
One enemy of the unknown is fear. Trained advisers allow you to overcome fears and move forward with confidence. These coaches develop trust with superior, positive communication skills. Clients are empowered to make decisions based on sound advice instead of temporary obstacles or risky opportunities. Great coaches deliver the priceless gift of peace of mind.
3. They direct our focus
Effective coaches keep the main thing the main thing. They help clients develop positive routines and thought processes. In this way, clients learn to take proactive steps instead of being reactionary or becoming frozen in their thoughts.
4. They play both offense and defense.
Champion coaches look at the entire playing field. They seek not only to make smart offensive moves, but also to remain aware of possible problems or obstacles. Smart advisers anticipate difficulties and develop multiple strategies for their clients to thrive. Flexibility is a great attribute of effective retirement coaches.
How to Find a Retirement Life Coach
You’ve learned the process of selecting the right retirement coach and qualities that are common in all effective post-career guides. How do you find the best retirement coach available to you? Explore the following approach to uncover winning coaches that are ready to walk alongside you:
One of the first factors to consider is the overall cost. Rates vary widely based on expertise and location. Specialized life coaches typically charge between one hundred and three hundred dollars per hour. Though the cost seems prohibitive at first, consider what you stand to gain. Hiring a retirement coach is much less expensive than hiring therapists or consultants separately for each aspect of your life. You must also realize that you cannot put a price tag on maximizing your time and sharpening your focus.
Calculate the benefits versus the costs in your situation. Retirement financial tools may be helpful at this juncture. These aides include NewRetirement’s retirement calculator or resources offered by CanIRetireYet. If you are convinced that a retirement coach is a wise investment, these tools will help you find ways to free up funds for securing a coach, even on a short-term basis.
Retirement coaches often have a background in psychotherapy, financial planning or executive or business management training. Search for retirement coaches under any of these main headings, using “retirement life coaching” as a keyword phrase.
Utilize services that cater to those needing retirement support. One excellent tool is Retirement Options, an organization that provides certifications specific to retirement.The International Coaching Federation offers a data bank of credentialed coaches. This service provides a quick way to find a wide range of coaches as the needs arise. Enter “retirement” in the search bar as a keyword to narrow your search either in your areas or online.
The concept of retirement has become increasingly diverse over the past few decades. To build a satisfying, exciting future for yourself and your family, hiring a retirement coach is a worthwhile investment. Find out the growing field of coaches available to you, define the primary qualities essential to you and develop an effective strategy for your selection process.
You are at a vital crossroads of your life. Make your post-career journey the most rewarding yet. Avoid drifting, gain clarity and make progress at a rewarding pace under the watchful eye of a winning retirement coach.