The Power of Purpose
In Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, bestselling author Daniel Pink presents some of the most compelling and useful research in the field of in human motivation. One section, “The Good Life,” is particularly enlightening in regard to how we as individuals establish and pursue our life goals. Pink makes the point, and science confirms, “Satisfaction depends not merely on having goals, but on having the right goals.”
One of the studies that Pink cites asked a sample of soon-to-graduate college students about their life goals and then followed them early in their careers to assess their progress and well-being. The students’ goals were categorized as either “extrinsic aspirations” or “intrinsic aspirations.” Becoming wealthy or achieving fame are examples of extrinsic motivators and labeled “profit goals.” In contrast, learning, growing, and helping others are examples of intrinsic motivators and labeled “purpose goals.” (more…)
After 20 to 30 years in the workforce, many individuals feel emotionally and physically drained. They worry because they know their enthusiasm and creativity are waning. Most yearn for a change. Since work is no longer fulfilling, these workers automatically think an “early retirement” will be their escape route to a more satisfying life. In actuality, most of these individuals wouldn’t choose an early retirement if they had a chance to take time off from work to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. 
Running into financial troubles isn’t the only reason that some closely held businesses fail to succeed. Their untimely demise may result from the lack of a formal plan providing for the orderly succession of management and ownership of the business. Such a plan frequently incorporates a buy-sell agreement as the tool for ensuring that the business will continue even after the departure, death, or disability of an owner.
Life is a continuum—an accumulation of experiences that makes us who we are and influences how we view ourselves and the world around us. As we review these experiences, we realize that our lives have been permeated with change.
Life is a continuum—an accumulation of experiences that make us who we are and influences how we view ourselves and the world around us. As we review these experiences, we realize that our lives have been permeated with change. As ironic as it may seem, change is the only constant in our lives.
How do middle-age and older adults currently define “leaving a legacy”? This was the central question of a recent study that examined the attitudes, hopes, and concerns of baby boomers and their elders (Allianz American Legacies Pulse Survey, 2012).
