ENCORE: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life
Ranked #20,301 in How-To, #209,794 overall
An introduction to a must read book by Marc Freedman
This could be a life-altering book for the millions of Baby Boomers now starting to retire.
If you are a Boomer, or near Boomer, do yourself, and society, a favor and read
ENCORE: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life
by Marc Freedman, a recognized social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Civic Ventures
Published by Public Affairs Books in 2007.
An article was in the Akron Beacon Journal about the emergence of Baby Boomers and it listed this book as one of the recommended reading, especially if we wanted more than just a job. Since I'm in this group, and want to continue working at something beyond a wage, I got the book.
Freedman sets out to alert us that meaningful employment is available after leaving our life's work. He shows us why and how to pursue it.
If you are a Boomer, or near Boomer, do yourself, and society, a favor and read
ENCORE: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life
by Marc Freedman, a recognized social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Civic Ventures
Published by Public Affairs Books in 2007.
An article was in the Akron Beacon Journal about the emergence of Baby Boomers and it listed this book as one of the recommended reading, especially if we wanted more than just a job. Since I'm in this group, and want to continue working at something beyond a wage, I got the book.
Freedman sets out to alert us that meaningful employment is available after leaving our life's work. He shows us why and how to pursue it.
What's in the Book?
Enlightenment
The book starts out with two scenarios for the year 2030. In the first one, the youngest of boomers are now eligible for their Social Security benefits. It is not looking good for them because system is pretty well used up. The second is looking up and forward because they did not drop out of working, as a matter of fact, they engaged in new, second life careers that were beneficial to society and self-rewarding.
Freedman puts together a great story about the history of our retirement system, or, as he put it: "Inventing the Golden Years." It was a real surprise to learn just how businesses cashed in on this stage of life.
A "Perfect Storm" is brewing with retirement, as it now stands, at the center. The ingredients: Inexorable Demographics, Increased Longevity, Financial Insecurity, Endangered Entitlements, Talent Shortages, Serial Careers, Personal Health, and Work and Meaning.
Now Marc Freedman gives us "A Fresh Map" to ride out the storm with. It starts out with establishing a new identity, starting out by redefining "retirement" "derived from the old French word retirer; to go off in seclusion. ..." He also states that we have to shift our vision of retirement and get set for a new stage of work. "... The encore career is a not retirement job. It's not a transitional phase. It's not a bridge between the end of real work and the beginning of real leisure. It's not leftover time to be killed. It's an entire stage of life and work - a destination and a category of work onto itself. ..."
To show that an encore career is achievable, examples are given of real people who wanted to bring more meaning to their second careers. There is even has an example of how the Catholic Church is taping this population segment with the recruitment program of the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
This section of the books winds up with a discussion of how "Peter Drucker, the greatest management theorist of the twentieth century, considered the signal development of our time. ... For the first time, Drucker said, 'substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to manage themselves. ...'"
Freedman puts together a great story about the history of our retirement system, or, as he put it: "Inventing the Golden Years." It was a real surprise to learn just how businesses cashed in on this stage of life.
A "Perfect Storm" is brewing with retirement, as it now stands, at the center. The ingredients: Inexorable Demographics, Increased Longevity, Financial Insecurity, Endangered Entitlements, Talent Shortages, Serial Careers, Personal Health, and Work and Meaning.
Now Marc Freedman gives us "A Fresh Map" to ride out the storm with. It starts out with establishing a new identity, starting out by redefining "retirement" "derived from the old French word retirer; to go off in seclusion. ..." He also states that we have to shift our vision of retirement and get set for a new stage of work. "... The encore career is a not retirement job. It's not a transitional phase. It's not a bridge between the end of real work and the beginning of real leisure. It's not leftover time to be killed. It's an entire stage of life and work - a destination and a category of work onto itself. ..."
To show that an encore career is achievable, examples are given of real people who wanted to bring more meaning to their second careers. There is even has an example of how the Catholic Church is taping this population segment with the recruitment program of the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
This section of the books winds up with a discussion of how "Peter Drucker, the greatest management theorist of the twentieth century, considered the signal development of our time. ... For the first time, Drucker said, 'substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to manage themselves. ...'"
The Encore Society
The next chaper
Because of the pressures upon the boomer generation, they have to be encouraged to continue to work in a way utilize their talents to support the economy and themselves. "It is essential that those who have a strong need and desire to work in this new way have every chance to realize that objective and every opportunity to use their accumulated human and social capital in areas where it matters the most."
Think Encore. "... the new sixty. The key question for individuals entering this stage is: What do you do now that you've grown up?"
Clear the Debris. Clean up the governmental and business policies and attitudes that inhibit achieving an encore society.
Introducing the Encore Fellows. Extent the national service programs to utilize the talents of seniors.
Revamp the Workplace. Innovate to meet the needs of people who want to make a difference.
The Encore Bill. "A coherent and ambitious package of policies to clear the path to new engagement and contribution for America's best generation could be the nation's first great social achievement of the twenty-first century."
Think Encore. "... the new sixty. The key question for individuals entering this stage is: What do you do now that you've grown up?"
Clear the Debris. Clean up the governmental and business policies and attitudes that inhibit achieving an encore society.
Introducing the Encore Fellows. Extent the national service programs to utilize the talents of seniors.
Revamp the Workplace. Innovate to meet the needs of people who want to make a difference.
The Encore Bill. "A coherent and ambitious package of policies to clear the path to new engagement and contribution for America's best generation could be the nation's first great social achievement of the twenty-first century."
Your Encore
Appendex
Here is an introductory guide to finding your encore career:
Getting Started
Start With Basic Questions
Consider Whether You'd Like To Be A Career Recycler, Career Changer, or Career Maker
Think Hard About Your Own Motivations and What Makes You Happy
Sell Experience As An Asset
Ease Your Way In
Think About Compensation In A New Way
Look For Encore Career Ideas in Fields That Motivate You
Consider Launching A Career As A Social Entrepreneur
Getting Started
Start With Basic Questions
Consider Whether You'd Like To Be A Career Recycler, Career Changer, or Career Maker
Think Hard About Your Own Motivations and What Makes You Happy
Sell Experience As An Asset
Ease Your Way In
Think About Compensation In A New Way
Look For Encore Career Ideas in Fields That Motivate You
Consider Launching A Career As A Social Entrepreneur
Summing Up
Finding Work That Matters In The Second Half Of Life met my expectations for good, informative reading. The stories of real people and their achievements are inspirational. Read the book and visit www.encore.org for more information and resources to help you find your encore career.
Marc Freedman wants us to know that the boomer generation can "transform the nature of work in America. They also hold the potential to create a society that balances the joys and responsibilities of contribution across the generations - in other words, one that works better for all of us."
Marc Freedman wants us to know that the boomer generation can "transform the nature of work in America. They also hold the potential to create a society that balances the joys and responsibilities of contribution across the generations - in other words, one that works better for all of us."
Books by Marc Freedman
Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 11/16/2009) 
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $0.25
Prime Time: How Baby Boomers Will Revolutionize Retirement And Transform America
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 11/16/2009)
List Price: $14.00
Used Price: $0.01
The Kindness of Strangers: Adult Mentors, Urban Youth, and the New Volunteerism
Amazon Price: $48.00 (as of 11/16/2009)
List Price: $48.00
Used Price: $0.01
Prime Time: How Baby Boomers Will Revolutionize Retirement & Transform America
Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009)
List Price:
Used Price: $117.65
Kindness of Strangers, the: Adult Mentors, Urban Youth, and the New Voluntarism
Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009)
List Price:
Used Price: $25.00
Here's Help To Find An Encore Career
Resources to asscess you skills and interests
Some of the sites listed in the book do not work. Here are the ones that I checked out.
- The New Retirement Illustrator
- Merrill Lynch - How Working in Retirement Impacts You An interactive calculator.
Click on the above link and choose Related Tools: Retirement Illustrator in the sidebar on the right. - My Next Phase Personality Test
- An interactive tool for non-financial retirement planning.
There is a charge for the tool, but it says it will reveal meaningful personal insights by first measuring the seven personality traits which influence how you handle decisions and transitions. Further, the process will actually adjust to your personality, so you can better plan a retirement that meets your individual needs. - The Career Key
- The Career Key%uFFFD gives you professional help you in choosing a career, making a career change, and choosing a college major or training program. Take a professional career test; identify your career options; get accurate information and expert advice at this free public service website.
There are some charges for the testing. Worth visiting. - Clifton StrengthsFinder
- Website is used in tandem with the book, Discover 2.0. The website for the book and assessment says:
In StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34 themes, and much more (see below for details). Loaded with hundreds of strategies for applying your strengths, this new online program will change the way you look at yourself - and the world around you - forever. - Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2008-09 Edition
For hundreds of different types of jobs-such as teacher, lawyer, and nurse-The Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you:
* the training and education needed
* earnings
* expected job prospects
* what workers do on the job
* working conditions
In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more. - The Princeston Review Career Quize
- This survey can help you sort out your priorities.
NOTE: You have to Create a Profile to:
* Access to free practice online tests
* In-depth school profiles and ranking lists
* School Recommendations based on your interests - The Self-Directed Search
- Take the world's most widely used career interest test, the Self Directed Search (SDS), and match your skills & interests to specific jobs, careers, occupations, college majors, & fields of study.
The SDS takes 20-30 minutes and costs only $9.95. - What Color Is Your Parachute?
- This site is designed as a supplement to the book, The 2008 edition of What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Bollis.
It contains a wealth of information, resources and advice for "job-hunters and career changers." - Too Young to Retire - Retirement Planning for the 21st Century
- Site provides "ideas and information, courses and training, tips, and tools" for those considering a second career.
Encore.Org
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- EdwardRogoff EdwardRogoff Apr 14, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
- Hi there!
I thought you might be interested in this new group I created: Boomers Back in Business. If you have some time, please come check it out, add your lenses, or leave some feedback.
http://www.squidoo.com/group/create_lens/boomer-entrepreneurs/df105b29ede06f714282464b230d835e
Thanks!
Edward Rogoff
Boomers Back in Business
How to Write a Bankable Business Plan
9 Good Reasons Why 50 Plus Entrepreneurship Is In The Cards for You
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Reply
- Amy Amy Sep 18, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
- I just created my first lens, on Encore Careers, and I am so excited to see others talking about this!
My fiance, Joel Carnes, is a career coach who specializes in helping people find Encore careers. Anyone who loved Marc Freedman's book should check out Joel's ENCORE Career Institute at: www.encorecareerinstitute.com (or, my Squidoo lens, squidoo.com/encore).
Help A College Student Stay Focused to Succeed
This is my Encore job, now.
Avenues to Success Notes has motivational quotations specifically selected to help college students keep focused on achieving their goals in life; along with links for additional information about the authors. There are links to sites of interest for college students, parents and prospective college students. ATS Notes also offers an opportunity for parents of college students to enroll them in an unique subscription service and, at the same time, support student programs at a college or university of their choice!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byQuotes by People on Stamps
Here is an index of stamps honoring people. Along with the stamp, is a collection of selected quotations by the people on the stamps.
Click here to access an alphabetic index of quote authors . Then click on the name to see the stamp and quotes.
Or click Quotes by People on Stamps to go right to the site.
Click here to access an alphabetic index of quote authors . Then click on the name to see the stamp and quotes.
Or click Quotes by People on Stamps to go right to the site.
by TomATS
My name is Tom. Wadsworth, Ohio, near Akron, is where my wife and I call home.
I'm promoting Avenues To Success to help college students, their par... (more)
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