Gwen, 62
Optimistic, resilient, curious
“ I have begun to retire from one type of work and I’m beginning to engage in another. Like energy, that is continuous and takes new forms, my efforts are finding a new way to be expressed.
I do believe that for me, the word retirement is a good one. It denotes completion. I enjoy having that delineation between a forty-year career in the financial services area and my transition into fiction writing.“
✨ Twinsight: We love Gwen’s take on retirement, especially how she has acknowledged the change in her purpose as she ages. Her story shows us how our goals can change as we get older. It's important to understand that our purpose in life isn't fixed; it can shift as we go through different experiences. As we grow, what we find important might change, and that's okay. It means we have the chance to explore new interests and directions. Every time our purpose changes, we learn more about ourselves, match our actions to what we value most, and enjoy the many different aspects of life. By being open to change, we welcome new opportunities that make our life and the lives of others richer.
How old are you and how are you feeling about that?
A: I’m 62 years old, and feel happy about being this age. While my physical self feels the creaking of arthritic knees, my mind is pleased to have lived through so many meaningful experiences and I’m excited about the years ahead.
Three words that describe you.
A: Optimistic, resilient and curious. It took time to find those three words, and as I look at them now, I can see how each of them helps to reinforce the other.
What’s the one life lesson that you would tell your younger self?
A: Learn what you are naturally good at. Ask others for their input on this. And then be sure to incorporate this into your work and life. Likely you see this strength as “not a big deal” and assume others all think or act this way, but that may not be true. This skill or trait could be your comparative advantage that helps you give the best of you to others, and it is likely something you enjoy doing or being, because it is your natural state.
It took me ten years in business to understand that ”strategy” was my strength. Once I understood that, I built my business around strategy and problem solving. It provided tremendous value to my clients and I was constantly in my happy place.
Gwen’s second book, The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace.
What’s next for you?
More writing – I’m looking forward to finishing my third novel and finding out what happens! I never pre-plan stories, so for me it’s like watching a movie I’ve never seen before.
How has your purpose changed as you age?
A: When I was in my twenties and single, my purpose was to work hard and nurture my career. Later when I married and we had our three children, my purpose became about providing opportunities for our children in addition to continuing to build my career and give back to community through volunteer work. Now in my sixties, there is a peace present with our children launched and the transitioning of my work life. My purpose today involves enjoying family and friends, and being open to new learning.
Talk about your transition from career to next stage of life.
A: A few years ago, I began transitioning my family wealth strategy practice to a successor. By the end of 2025 the process will be complete. While I had always thought I would transition out of my business at some point in the future, it was definitely my writing of fiction novels that nudged me along. I began to write fiction during Covid, and completed two novels in 2021 and 2022. Today, I don’t feel there was an urgency to leave my business practice, but rather a pull into creative writing.
How did you know that this was the time to retire? Was there a catalyst or a feeling?
A: While I very much enjoyed building a business and serving my clients, I knew that ultimately, one day, I would want freedom from all the layers of responsibility.
I’ve always measured using the word “thrive”. Are my kids thriving in their school, and later, are they thriving in their chosen area of work? And I would ask myself … am I thriving in my work, and in my life? In the past the answer had always been yes. I thrived in building the business and working in a very full and busy business life. But as I enjoyed working less and writing more, I realized I was now thriving being away from the business. I loved writing fiction and having wide open mornings to read and think. After forty years of serving clients, I pined for freedom - being free from being responsible for others. So, the catalyst for me to transition my business, was enjoying more freedom and wanting to expand that.
What was your internal dialogue?
A: Yes, there was an internal dialogue, which finally I dealt with in 2022 by writing it out in a piece I called “Shoelacing”. This was a term my twenty-four-year-old was using to describe his zig zag pattern up the golf course.
While the preferred shot would be to streamline it forward, he was having one of those days. We discussed about visualizing where the ball needed to go, and having a goal. Later, I realized my flip flopping on how to transition my business, was very similar. I was shoe-lacing. I too needed to visualize what I wanted and have a goal. I realized I wanted freedom, lowered responsibilities to others and time to write. And I was blessed with having met a successor who was perfect. After writing it all out, I made the decision to retire from my business.
Have you experienced ageism?
A: These days, I suspect I’ve experienced age discrimination a number of times when I’ve walked into a room filled with younger business people. I’m sure I’m now viewed as older and definitely not as hip as their peer group. But having been a small, quiet, female working for 40 years in a male dominated field of business, I’m used to being underestimated. I’ve learned to understand these initial reactions are simply based on their misperception of me and my value. The solution has always been to let all unfold. It’s been my experience that once we all dig into a topic together, and I can share thoughts, experiences and strategy, people change in how they treat me. I’ve always focused on developing relationships, one person at a time. Those relationships become sticky over time, and once made, they don’t seem to slide backwards with age.
What sparks your joy these days?
A: Joy is sparked these days by (1) time with our three children, (2) viewing a spectacular panorama – countryside, a long beach, and a sunrise or sunset anywhere, and (3) music that makes me want to dance – playing while cycling, driving, spinning in a work out class or with friends and a great glass of wine.
What does your future-self look like?
My future-self is a curious, constant learner, involved in writing stories, reading, traveling and committed to helping my family, friends and community.
What were your greatest hurdles, challenges or regrets along the way? Any advice on how to overcome these?
I have no regrets. When something didn’t go so well, something good always seemed to grow out of it. I wouldn’t want to change anything. But with respect to a hurdle or a challenge, I would say that I had to learn that different people approached business in different ways. I learned that occasionally people were able to do bad things, justify their bad behaviour and expect me to be good with it. I learned: “don’t take their actions personally” and “sometimes, it’s time to make new business friends.”
Should you retire? Is retirement dead, as many say they will never retire. What's your view on retirement?
I have begun to retire from one type of work and I’m beginning to engage in another. Like energy, that is continuous and takes new forms, my efforts are finding a new way to be expressed. I do believe that for me, the word retirement is a good one. It denotes completion. I enjoy having that delineation between a forty-year career in the financial services area and my transition into fiction writing. The next question might be … do I ever see retiring from writing? Probably not. I think when your work is your passion or a well-loved hobby, then you thrive on keeping your energy focused in that state of doing and being. That’s tougher to leave!
Learn more about Gwen on LinkedIn and Instagram. Her website can be found here.