So, you’re leaving work: what’s next for you?
As a working woman of retirement age, you were one of the first generation told that they could ‘have it all’. They didn’t mention you’d also have to ‘do it all’, and that you would need to make tough decisions and compromises. You’ve striven to succeed both in and out of work - to achieve status and feel valued, to have had a rewarding and fulfilling life and career. But once you leave work, what next? How will you fill your time in a way that has purpose and meaning, and how will you keep the sense of being relevant and valued? With all your renewed, post-menopause energy, and with the confidence born of years of experience, how can you maximize the potential of your coming years?
With a combination of research, theory, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking questions and exercises, Jane Moffett will help you not only understand yourself better, but expand your thinking to open up new opportunities, and new ways of finding purpose in life. By determining what it is you need and want, and focusing on where you can get it, you can design your own unique map for the future and embrace this life stage!
Foreword – written by Kathleen Soriano
Introduction
Who is this book for?
Why me, why this book, and why now?
New Beginnings
What’s covered and why
How to use this book
Section 1: The Landscape
Chapter 1: Big life changes
The significance of big psychological transitions – including stopping work.
3 helpful transition models explained: The Change Curve, Bridges Transition Model, Schlossberg 4S model
Chapter 2: What’s so special about now?
The contrast with previous generations including the change in gender equality and its impact on education, expectations, and the world of work - and the reality of living through this
What’s the impact of all this when women come to stopping work?
Chapter 3: The shape of women’s careers
What’s so special about women? Including women’s developmental psychology and career theory
Caring responsibilities
The impact of having a family
Caring for young children
Chapter 4: Midlife Collision
The impact of ageism
Section 2: Journey Preparation
Chapter 5: Your starting point (leaving work)
What’s in a decision?
How will you leave?
What can you learn from…
Step 1 of your journey
Chapter 6: Your timetable (change in time and structure) Time
Structure
What can you learning from…
Step 2 of your journey
Chapter 7: Your guidebook (learning, growth and connection)
Why bother - what’s in it for you?
What you can learn from…
Step 3 of your journey
Chapter 8: Your travelling companions (relationships)
We are social beings
What do you need, and why?
What can you learning from…
Step 4 of your journey
Chapter 9: Your travelling gear (identity, image and status)
Perceptions of age
The post-menopausal you
Your view versus society’s view
Identity and image
How can you change the narrative and tell a new story?
What can you learn from…
Step 5 of your journey
Chapter 10: Your compass (meaning and purpose)
What is ikigai and what is your ikigai?
Hobbies or new work?
Going on to paid work
What can you learn from…
Step 6 of your journey
Section 3: Your map: Your 6-part guide for your future
Sara’s map (fictional woman)
Your map
About the Author
Further Resources Books, websites, groups, etc.
Endnotes
Height:203
Width:127
Spine:16
Weight:0.00