Have you ever thought of turning in your resignation, taking early retirement? Well, get some guidance from those who made that leap to help discover what’s next in your life.
According to the August jobs report 4.3 million people turned in their resignations. Those who quit their job hit a new high dating back to December 2000. People want something different. A job with a purpose. Another online survey of 2,000 adults conducted by a Harris Poll in March 2021 revealed that a sense of purpose among Americans had rebounded with nearly two-thirds (63%) of retirees preferring to spend time in ‘purposeful ways.’
It is on this backdrop that two retirees Joyce Cohen and Vicki Thomas decided to spend their retirement in purposeful and fun ways. The two, in their 70’s, combined their talents, work experience, and wisdom to start a new organization, My Future Purpose, LLC to help individuals and organizations harness the power of purpose.
Purpose is a word frequently mentioned in articles, blogs, social media, research studies and is included in the title of many self-help and business books.
Purpose is intergenerational, as most boomers, gen Xers, millennials and gen Zers want to be part of something larger that matters. People want fulfilling work; companies see purpose-oriented employees as more productive – IF that companies’ purpose aligns with the employees who work there.
My Future Purpose Activities
The two-year old company originally planned to hold conferences bringing together keynote speakers, authors, panelists, and organizations to explore transition either at work or, for those nearing the end of traditional careers, to help discover ‘what’s next.’ Then COVID intervened causing Cohen and Thomas to pivot like everyone else.
Through communication technologies such as zoom, learners of all ages remained connected in classrooms and venues worldwide. Free learning across industries was hosted by training specialists, instructors, celebrities like the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Emma Stone, Nick Craig, Jean Houston, Chip Conley and many other influencers.
From their ongoing research, weekly free Zoom series, and related activities they determined there are six categories to discover and develop a pathway to purpose:
- Become an advocate
- Volunteer for a cause
- Work for a purpose-driven organization
- Creating good from a loss
- Entrepreneurship
- Personal interests
Pause for Purpose
Instead of conferences, the two created a membership organization. They turned to Zoom and created a successful weekly series entitled ‘Pause for Purpose’ featuring special guests who epitomize one of the six categories.
Participants join in to hear each featured guest, ask questions, and add to the discussion. They also broaden horizons and learn new possibilities. As a result of over 100 conversations and counting, participants teamed up to work together on a cause or provided guidance to someone who felt stuck in a job or had an idea that needed to be developed with a sounding board.
My Future Purpose and Pause for Purpose will continue to help the nearly 41% of working professionals who will turn in their notice. Many individuals are looking for a new purpose and direction in life. What’s missing for many are like-minded collaborators.
Cohen and Thomas are now sought-after speakers about the six elements of purpose. They conduct both virtual and on-site workshops. With their career, wisdom and work experience, they also provide one-to-one coaching to individuals in search of their purpose. Their organization tagline: Our Purpose is to inspire yours.
The two have always integrated purpose into their careers and work including Thomas’s $100,000 Purpose Prize that she was awarded in 2013 by Encore.org for her groundbreaking work at Purple Heart Homes, a non-profit devoted to housing renovations for disabled veterans. The entire prize went to Veteran projects. Cohen’s career development work with over 360 organizations worldwide provided vast opportunities to hone those skills.
To participate in their discussions, interested individuals are invited to join the ‘free’ Wednesday afternoon 4:00-5:00 ET weekly Pause for Purpose series to meet other like-minded individuals, ask questions, try on new ideas, and explore with others asking similar questions. Each week is an opportunity to meet inspiring guests, expand thinking, learn about new fields, and meet others in our growing My Future Purpose community. To learn more about My Future Purpose visit www.myfuturepurpose.com.
About My Future Purpose
My Future Purpose is a multi-faceted membership organization founded by Joyce Cohen and Vicki Thomas who are committed to the growing Purpose Movement. My Future Purpose helps individuals, professionals and organizations harness the power of purpose by providing weekly featured speakers, Timely Topics, Bring Your Own Idea (BYOI), virtual retreats and collaborative initiatives to guide participants to discover their purpose. Our purpose is to inspire yours.
Contacts
Vicki Thomas
My Future Purpose
+1 203-984-2138
