CHICAGO, April 28, 2008 — There are more than 78 million Baby Boomers currently in the U.S. and the first wave of them are now turning 60 years of age, 1.5 million of whom are living in the Chicago area. As the Boomers reach this turning point in their life, many are asking, “What’s next?”
Richard N. Bolles, author of the best-selling book, What Color Is Your Parachute? and Richard Leider, veteran author, speaker and pioneer in life-work planning, will help community members address this important question during two programs examining purpose in the second half of life, May 29 and 30, in Chicago. Both known for their life-planning seminars, this is the first time they will co-lead a full-day workshop providing participants the opportunity to determine their own mission and action plan in response to the question, “What’s Next?”
“Richard Leider and I have talked about this subject for literally decades,” says Bolles, whose groundbreaking Parachute has been continuously updated since first published in the 1970s. “All that has changed over the years has been the jargon, the essence has always remained the same: something to live for — a life with purpose, your mission in life, finding your vocation.”
Both programs, sponsored by Crossroads Center and Chicago Life Opportunities Initiative in cooperation with MetLife Mature Market Institute, take place at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams St., Chicago.
- “Heeding Your Call in Midlife and Beyond,” Thursday, May 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. Bolles and Leider will engage in a 90-minute conversation covering trends in aging and longevity and offer helpful tips on discovering your mission and calling in the second half of life. The evening includes a special concert by Chicago’s Harmony Hope and Healing Choir. Cost for the evening’s program is $35.
- “Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life,” Friday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bolles and Leider both believe that purpose dramatically affects aging and vitality, and at this full-day workshop, the two will engage participants with discussions on new ways to live and work on purpose in the second half of life. Tickets for the full-day program are $135.
A discounted rate of $150 is offered to those attending both events. For more information about the program and presenters, or to register online, visit www.crossroads-center.org, or contact Laura Sterkel at 312/798-2374.
For more than 30 years, Richard Bolles has established his legacy as worldwide leader in the career development field. His classic book, What Color Is Your Parachute?, has sold more than 10 million copies, and exists in 20 languages. His newest book, What Color Is Your Parachute for Retirement, written with co-author John Nelson, examines the changing nature of retirement and is a practical guide to helping people satisfy their lifelong goal, passions and dreams in the second half of life.
Richard Leider is a best-selling author with 30 years experience in coaching people to live and work on purpose. As founder and chairman of The Inventure Group, he is a coach, seminar leader and speaker with a worldwide practice with organizations such as 3M, Caterpillar, MetLife, Pfizer, the Mayo Clinic and Habitat for Humanity. As a leader in executive development, Leider has taught over 100,000 executives from 50 corporations worldwide.
For 20 years, Crossroads Center has helped people examine issues of purpose, transition and personal leadership. Chicago Life Opportunities Initiative (CLOI), a partnership of CJE SeniorLife and Mather LifeWays, unites the wisdom and experience of older adults with Chicago area non-profit organizations to address community-identified needs through volunteerism, employment and lifelong learning opportunities. CLOI is funded through the support of the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Fund, JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Mather LifeWays.