As an early adopter of coaching people on the nonfinancial aspects of retirement, Larry Jacobson has earned his national recognition as a thought leader in the field. This book’s curriculum really does take one from not knowing what to do with one’s time in retirement, all the way through to having a plan and knowing the first steps in that plan. Larry goes deep and asks very good questions. The chapters are topics we all face as we turn retirement age, and through the progress you make in the book, Larry helps you redefine the word retirement for your needs and desires. His creativity shines and the writing is five-star all the way. His take on managing your fears is particularly original and his wisdom comes from real experience. This book brings nonfinancial retirement coaching to the masses, and I’m glad to see that it’s Larry doing this for all of us.”
—Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Modern Elder Academy (MEA), author of Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Life Gets Better With Age
“Larry Jacobson’s Your Ideal Retirement Workbook is an essential guide for anyone standing at the precipice of retirement. Meticulously crafted, it offers a unique blend of insightful exercises, practical strategies, and heartfelt advice, ensuring your retirement journey is not just planned, but purposeful and fulfilling. Jacobson’s expertise shines through every page, transforming the daunting task of retirement planning into an inspiring voyage of self-discovery and passion pursuit. A must-read for those seeking a vibrant and meaningful post-career life.”
—Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, former president of the National Speakers Association, author of Deliver Unforgettable Presentations
“Larry has done it again and the result is a must-read! Combine corporate expertise, decades of experience, wisdom, a six-year sailing adventure around the globe, and practical application coaching clients from broad industries/all walks of life, and the result…a book destined to be an important go-to guide. Larry has always promoted having a purpose and a plan. This book shows you how. Don’t retire without it.”
—Joyce Cohen, career transition and life planning specialist, cofounder of My Future Purpose, author of Diving Into Living…My Way series
“I just turned seventy-eight, and I’m tired. Should I retire? I’m in pretty good health, and I could use the money from continuing to work. Should I move to assisted living? Do I really need to? Shouldn’t I move in before I need to? Or should I?
“The questions were endless, each opening yet another question. These were the sorts of things I would formerly chew over with my husband. They were plaguing me, and my husband was no longer available.
“I turned to Larry Jacobson, retirement coach. He listened carefully and inquired about the countless and very particular factors of my unique life situation. Being a rabbi, I am aware that each person’s case is unlike any other and needs its own wise consideration. At the conclusion of his guidance, I felt clear and confident in what my next moves should be.
“I am delighted to see that this book is available to help so many of us who are aging. This last phase of life is one that our culture is not so eager to embrace, consequently leaving many of us without the guidance we need. But here it is! This book will companion you with assurance as you step into your new self, maximizing your opportunities for joy and fulfillment.”
—Rabbi Me’irah Iliinsky, MSW, MA Hebrew Letters, community rabbi at Rhoda Goldman Plaza Assisted Living Center, author of Mapping the Journey: The Mourner & the Soul, director of the School of Jewish Living Arts
“Did you know that the Baby Boomer generation is turning retirement upside down? They’re starting new careers, pursuing new hobbies, finding passions, and discovering that life has so much more.
“Retirement is yours to create. It’s no longer an endgame, but instead, it can be an incredible beginning for you of discovery, joy, and passion!
“Ask yourself: What’s on my bucket list? What things in life do I still want to achieve? How can I create new beginnings? Are there things I want to do, but something is holding me back? How can I start living a new revitalized version of my life? Is this all there is?
“If you didn’t quickly answer the above to your satisfaction, then this book is for you. You’ll find how you can define retirement by your own rules. Larry will help guide you to discover a whole new gear to your life, and you will discover that your retirement years can be the greatest chapter yet!”
—Suzanne Perkins Newman, founder of 12 Days to Goodness, and founder and chief executive officer of Answers for Elders, Inc.
“Every retiree struggles somewhat with the loss of identity and social network from their careers. Many are unsure of what to do with themselves each day after their career ends. Many mistake pleasure with fulfillment. Not only does Larry explain all of these ideas with great clarity, he guides the reader to choose a direction. He helps you find your true passion, helps you combine that with your skills from work, and guides you to determine what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. His stories come to life and pop right off the page, giving you real life examples of his work in action. And Larry’s experiences are what gives him the wisdom to help the rest of us find our way.”
—Keith Schaefer, cofounder and managing partner of Zermatt Capital Partners
“Your Ideal Retirement Workbook by Larry Jacobson is a rare must-read in the crowded field of life fulfillment books. Larry powerfully guides you to make the most of your long future with clarity and purpose. Enjoy all the elements of the perfect how-to book coupled with deep emotional intelligence, as you create new possibilities for yourself that are practical, inspirational, and resultful. Larry shows you how to find your passion, prioritize your actions, and realize your retirement dreams. This is not a read-it-and-forget-it book. You will revisit its wisdom repeatedly throughout the fabulous decades ahead.”
—Adriane Berg, founder of Generation Bold Consulting, author of How Not To Go Broke at 102 and The Totally Awesome Money Book for Kids, Emmy Award-winning host of Tax Beat, and United Nations representative at the International Federation on Ageing
“Larry has written the book that will take you from wondering what’s next to developing a vision and goals for an inspiring life beyond retirement. He has lived this type of transition and shares his wisdom, thoughts, and helpful exercises throughout. My clients speak about their fear of being bored. They feel unmoored and unmotivated. I look forward to sharing Your Ideal Retirement Workbook with them.”
—Wendy Green, life coach and podcast host of Hey, Boomer!
“Very few people in the US know retirement like Larry Jacobson. He has been there and done it and now has a proven method for helping others make the hard decisions about how they want to live and what they want to do in their later years. Larry proved himself to be an inspiring writer in The Boy Behind the Gate, and with Your Ideal Retirement Workbook, he demonstrates yet again how much he has to share with fellow retirees or un-retirees. Larry accomplishes this with loads of worksheets, checklists, a mountain of useful information.”
—Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, professional speaker and author of Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers
“I recommend Larry Jacobson’s new workbook, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Retiring with Purpose and Fulfillment. It’s filled with great information, resources, and exercises! Larry fulfilled his dream to sail around the world. Since then he has combined his life experiences with his business and coaching expertise to help others realize their own dreams. He initially chronicled his own experiences and discoveries in his wonderful book, The Boy Behind the Gate. Then, wanting to reach more people, he developed his award-winning video training course, Sail into Retirement. Influenced by this online course, this new workbook will inspire and challenge you to create your own retirement journey. It’s fun, upbeat, and inspiring! Using sailing metaphors, he helps us chart our own course and offers tools as well as an action guide to help us navigate our own challenging transition and to create our best possible life!”
—Dorian Mintzer, MSW, PhD, BCC, therapist, speaker, owner and host of the Revolutionize your Retirement Interview with Experts podcast series and monthly program, and co-author of The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle: 10 Must-Have Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together
“Working with Larry as a coach has been immensely valuable as I navigate multiple transitions in my life, especially retirement. Larry’s excellent listening abilities and forward thinking have helped me discover and discern what really matters to me. His knowledge, experience, and wisdom have helped immensely in how to work with the challenges and opportunities I am confronted with as I age. Now that he has put all of this into his new book, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook, many more people will have access to his coaching, and that can only be a good thing! Larry is a joy to work with; an ally, a coach, and an inspiration all rolled into one. I consider crossing paths with Larry to be one of my life’s great blessings. His book is a must-read.”
—Captain Jan Passion, executive coach
“Do you often find yourself daydreaming about a path yet unexplored? Life often poses challenging questions that prompt us to reassess our journey. These inquiries can spark thoughtful reflection and a yearning to venture into uncharted territory. Amidst our hectic routines, we seldom pause to ponder, What’s next for me? Let Larry Jacobson guide you on a journey of self-discovery through his latest book, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Retiring with Purpose and Fulfillment. What sets Jacobson apart is his ability not only to lead and inspire your exploration, but also to intimately share his own adventures with a delightful blend of humor and wisdom. Allow him to be your companion in uncovering the next chapter of your life.”
—Luanne Mullin, transition coach and facilitator, director and managing partner of Luanne Mullin Partnerships
“As a psychiatrist, patients often say to me, ‘I just want to be happy.’ In response, I ask, ‘How will you know when you get there?’ For many, work has defined them, and they have never visualized a life beyond the end of their career. Your Ideal Retirement Workbook by Larry Jacobson leads retirees step by step to dream of a retirement of purpose and meaning and how to achieve it. That’s what will make them happy in their new life.”
—Loren A. Olson, MD, psychiatrist, author of the award-winning book, No More Neckties: A Memoir in Essays
“Joseph Campbell made famous the phrase ‘follow your bliss.’ Larry Jacobson has taken this proclamation to the next level for those entering the retirement zone of their life. His new book, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Retiring with Purpose and Fulfillment, is a personalized, creative roadmap to transcend your former life and enter your retirement phase with a vision, a gameplan, and a transformational new identity.
“I’ve known Larry for over thirty years. I watched him soar as an entrepreneurial CEO, only to sell his company and pursue his retirement dream of sailing around the world. And, as in The Hero’s Journey, he returned to our world, bringing his experiences and sagacious advice for others seeking a new kind of fulfillment and bliss in their own retirement.
“What makes Larry brilliant is his experiential wisdom. A practitioner of ancient and modern philosophies, he brings emotional empathy to new retirees with ingenious insights and inspiring advice from his ‘been there, done that’ point of view. With Larry’s game plan, retirement is not to be feared, but celebrated with ‘the best is yet to come.’ ”
—Jim Spencer Hall, president of The Creative Circle, Inc.
“Larry has been our go-to public speaking coach for the Young Entrepreneur Success YES! Accelerator. He is a nurturing pitch coach who provides not only experience in the entrepreneurial world, but also a toolkit that the young entrepreneurs can easily follow for a successful three-minute pitch. We appreciate the passion Larry brings to our community of mentors, and we are delighted to see him conquer a new summit with this book.”
—Amparo Leyman Pino, MEd, director of education at BizWorld.org, Fulbright Specialist, and author of Breaking the Silos: Science Communication for Everyone
“I have known and worked with Larry Jacobson for many years and he is an inspiring teacher and writer. This well-written and timely book is a much-needed roadmap for Baby Boomers as they enter retirement. Based on his life experience this book will show you how to find your passion and pursue it! Every retiree will find this illuminating.”
—Mitch Meyerson, co-author of eleven books and four online programs, including Guerilla Marketing
“As a physician, I have treated many patients who retired. Soon after retiring, unsurprisingly, many sustain a cardiovascular event, whether it be a heart attack or stroke. Whether it be the sudden lack of stimulation, loss of self-esteem, boredom, etc., it is a sudden change. This abrupt change in emotional dynamics has a potential harmful effect on physical dynamics. This is why I have found this book by the experienced life coach Larry Jacobson to be intriguing and potentially life-saving for many. There are some simple questions which stimulate you to think. The in-book workshops are helpful in focusing and creating direction. Overall the workbook serves as an excellent guide to a meaningful life into retirement.”
—E. Mike Vasilomanolakis, MD, cardiologist, assistant clinical professor at the University of California Irvine, executive producer of Grammy-winning New Age album Echoes of Love, and author of Lists for a Great Life
“Larry Jacobson has integrated a boatload of wisdom, spiced with his unique life experience, into a valuable retirement planner that provides both practical and inspiring steps to planning your retirement years. This book can take the place of a retirement coach—if you commit to engaging in the process of self-assessment and follow-up actions, always leaving room for unexpected opportunities.”
—Meg L. Newhouse, PhD, author of Legacies of the Heart: Living a Life That Matters, and creator of www.passionandpurpose.com
“Larry writes about one of my favorite themes: how to be sure you have a sense of purpose in your life when you “ ‘retire.’ ” If you want to take charge of your own destiny, and not just react to what life throws you in retirement, the process and exercises in this workbook are invaluable.”
—Richard Caro, cofounder of Tech-enhanced Life, PBC
“Hope all those contemplating retirement years will gift themselves this workbook to craft a compelling, exciting, and vivid image for a meaningful and fulfilling future. Using engaging questions and a step-by-step guide, you’re invited to take a deep dive to discover your passions and to create a clear path to bring your vision to life.”
—Barbara Abramowitz, psychotherapist, body-mind life coach, and contributor to Live Smart After 50!
“Many of us retire and question our ‘purpose’ in life. We need help, and Larry Jacobson’s workbook offers a creative step-by-step approach that will jumpstart new ideas for navigating our retirement years.”
—Sonia Marsh, author of Freeways to Flip-Flops and the Gutsy Living blog
“When I first encountered Larry’s teachings during a module for my Retirement Management Advisor designation course, I had no idea the impact it would have on my perspective. Larry’s insights delved into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of retirement: the loss of identity, purpose, and loved ones that can profoundly affect one’s happiness and well-being.
“Larry’s expertise resonated with me so deeply that I immediately implemented his strategies in my client planning. I also extended an invitation for him to share his wisdom on my podcast, recognizing the invaluable contribution he could make to my audience.
“What Larry imparts goes beyond the financial strategies advisors tend to focus on with their clients; it’s about understanding the intricate nuances of a fulfilling retirement—one that encompasses joy, peace of mind, and overall health. Through his course, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to serve my clients better, equipping me with the tools to navigate not just their financial needs, but their emotional and psychological well-being as well.
“Larry’s book is a must-read for anyone embarking on or navigating retirement. It encapsulates the essence of his teachings, offering invaluable insights that can truly transform one’s perspective on what it means to retire happily and meaningfully. I wholeheartedly endorse Larry’s work and am grateful for the profound impact it has had on my practice and the lives of those I serve.”
—John Iammarino, RMA, president of Securus Financial, co-host of The Retire Happy Podcast
“For those who wish to ensure that their retirement will be a success, I cannot recommend Jacobson’s Your Ideal Retirement Workbook enough. Using his own considerable experience, Larry walks the reader through the mental and physical steps necessary to retire with a sense of purpose and contentment.
“It is significant that Larry does not skip the mental exercises that enable one to envision the life of possibilities that await. Too few people take the preemptive steps warranted by such a big life event as retirement. We plan our careers, we plan our weddings, we plan our vacations, but that last big event in your life will be your retirement. Why not plan your final years out so that you are assured a happy and fulfilling final chapter? Filled with joy and humor, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook will enable you to approach retirement with enthusiasm and confidence. As you read and complete the exercises, expect to get excited by all that is possible for you in the near future.”
—Rumana Jabeen, MA Sociology, realtor and KW Real Estate Planner
“I was the classic prospective candidate for Larry’s teachings. Recently retired with no plan as to what my real vision of the future looked like. Larry’s program opened my eyes to how to write that workbook of my retirement goals. He employs the same principles I used in my business days such as SWOT analysis, Decision-Making, and Managing Your Fears, and does it in an intuitive, insightful way. Every retiree should read this book, it’s never too early to start preparing for the next chapter of your life!”
—David Cullen, CEO of JP Cullen, coaching client and pupil of Larry’s Sail into Retirement program
“Thanks to Larry, I was able make a successful transition from a corporate insurance leader to a self-employed advisor and coach. I learned about Larry on my sixtieth birthday. He was participating in a webinar, and I was trying to figure out how to get out of the corporate rat race and finally be fulfilled and happy. Larry demonstrated an amazing depth of understanding nonfinancial retirement issues. That webinar was the beginning of a new and better life. Working though my hopes and fears with Larry’s step-by-step approach gave me the courage to make a change.
“In Your Ideal Retirement Workbook, Larry takes you step by step through the process of a successful retirement. Do you want more from your life? If so, using Larry’s proven approach to retirement success will change your life! Buy this book and live the life that you’ve always dreamed of!”
—Mike Rozema, founder and CEO of Actuarial Excellence LLC, coaching client and pupil of Larry’s Sail into Retirement program
“I have known Larry Jacobson for over fifty years, read with great interest his book The Boy Behind the Gate about his adventures sailing around the world, and have seen and read his advice for seniors on navigating retirement and aging. His writing and speaking style is accessible and entertaining and imbued with wisdom, positive energy, and advice. They reflect his personal qualities of intelligence, empathy, warmth, and caring. All of this is reflected in Your Ideal Retirement Workbook in which Larry helps make aging an adventure, a pleasurable experience, and a purposeful next stage of life.”
—G.W. McDonald, retired enforcement attorney of the California Department of Corporations
“As someone who believes it’s never too late to find your true calling, the way Larry has reinvented himself to help others find their post-career passion reminds me once again of the courage it takes to be all of who we are. This book will help anybody find their true self. Larry is inspiring, a good writer, and the book is truly practical.”
—Jane Fleishman, PhD, MEd, sexuality educator, author of The Stonewall Generation: LGBTQ Elders on Sex, Aging, and Activism, and winner of the 2020 Nautilus Award
“Larry Jacobson is an accomplished and well-respected thought leader in the field of retirement coaching and beyond. In his latest work, Your Ideal Retirement Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Retiring with Purpose and Fulfillment, Larry provides an engaging experience that helps the reader discover the best of what’s next. The exercises have a broad appeal yet remain very personal and meaningful. This is a great addition to your retirement planning library!”
—Robert Laura, founder of the Retirement Coaches Association
“Where most retirement planning books focus on financial security, Larry anchors retirement planning around the human in the middle of it. His roadmap is not a slog of financial planning, it’s an exciting exploration into what we value and the stories and adventures about our own lives that are yet untold. I’ve been privileged to work with Larry. His own inspirational story will no doubt inspire anyone who follows his path.”
—Tina Mulqueen, international speaker, writer, founder of Kindred PR, adjunct professor at WSU, and two-time Top 100 Women in Media
