Retirees: The Complete Package of Super Powers

 By Erica and Karen

We expected to have broken all the glass ceilings by now. And we certainly didn't think we would see one after we retired--one that would keep us from living fully in the world we changed when we broke through the barriers to the working world. But here we are--again. So let's get to it. We've done this before.

As a cohort we have many super powers, so together we can change everything. Think about what your super powers are, and then think about how to use them to get what you want. Here is a list of just some of them:

Intelligence, curiosity and a willingness to learn. We didn’t get where we were in the working world without knowing what we were doing. Or without recognizing and adjusting to the new. Just think about how the world has changed since we started. IBM Selectrics, Wite-Out and dial phones. No PCs, no "tech", no internet. Then pagers and Palm Pilots. Then Apple. Now, Amazon Echo and Sonos. Now, we blog. We tweet. 

Experience and judgment. We don't have a lock on good judgment, but ours has been tested and we have learned from our mistakes. 

Leadership skills. We can do it--people, issues and risks. And we can do it efficiently and effectively. We had to, for our own sake as well as for our clients, companies and firms. We know that if we can’t make the people part work, the rest won’t work either. Teamwork is critical. Organization is critical too. 

Strategic vision. We find new ways to tackle problems. We think out of the box. We are not linear. We are holistic. We look at things from many angles, trying to find the best solution, one that will stick. We’re more interested in the long term, but recognize that sometimes we need to act right away. Offense has usually played better for us than defense.

Energy and enthusiasm and passion. We get our highs from working hard and seeing it all come together.

Heart. We care. 

Wealth. We earned it.

As a group we are a potent force. We accomplished much. And we’re not done. Together, we can use our powers to forge the retirement we want. Modern. And stylish.