99: The Challenges and Opportunities of Defining Your Identity in Retirement with Elizabeth Parsons

Take Back Retirement

“Suddenly you've got to create the content of your life, and that's a completely new enterprise for most people we work with, and it's scary until you can get your hands in the clay and feel confident about having a process.” -Elizabeth Parsons

How do you deal with the massive shift that comes with stepping away from a high-powered career and into retirement?

Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines chat with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, founder of Encoraco, who has dedicated her life to guiding high achievers through the emotional and psychological challenges of retirement.

After leaving behind a prestigious legal career, Elizabeth was left feeling listless and incomplete. It was her relentless drive to rekindle that sense of purpose that led her to found a company that helps men and women just like her experience a “positive and empowered transition” into their post-career life.

Listen in as Elizabeth teaches us how to overcome the loss of identity and structural void that often accompany retirement. She discusses the art of designing a Life Mosaic, ways to recognize what's missing from your day-to-day, the importance of grieving the end of a career, and why it’s time for all of us to redefine the traditional notion of retirement!

Key Topics:

• Elizabeth’s Career and Post-Career Journey (3:47)
• Elizabeth’s Typical Client (09:16)
• Finding New Ways to Channel Your Professional Skills (19:03)
• Why it’s Important to “Grieve” The Loss Of Your Career (20:39)
• Existential versus Categorical Identity (28:00)
• Consider Navigating Retirement with a Buddy! (32:22)
• Metrics for Success (37:06)
• Key Takeaways (41:50)

Resources:

• Learn more about Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons and Encoraco at www.encoraco.com
• Pre-order Elizabeth’s Book “Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in Retirement”

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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.

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