Arn Cenedella’s Post

TRY THIS EXERCISE if you: -feel like work's out of control -feel like you're in a rut or unfulfilled, or -find yourself in the trap of "I won't be happy until..." thinking. (I share a few of my personal takeaways at the end, if you're curious) You'll gain control and feel less at the mercy of your circumstances or those around you. It will identify the things that make the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE for you, and how you can incorporate them into your daily life, *right now,* in a practical manner, even if it's only bits and pieces of them. The good news is you likely already have the stuff you're seeking or missing, it's just a matter of identifying what that is and incorporating more of that in your daily life *right now.* It's simple, but IT WORKS. Without further ado, The Retirement Exercise: Step 1: Imagine no time has passed, but you're all of a sudden able to retire comfortably. Your time is now yours. The stress of your job is now gone. (Briefly) *truly* consider these questions: -What, specifically, are you doing differently? -What does your "typical" day look like? -What's different about your mindset? Step 2: From what you've identified, what's practical that you can incorporate into your life, right now, even if it's just bits and pieces of it? Here's what I walked away with: 1. Waking up early It makes me feel like I'm in control of the day, versus scrambling from the start. I've always LOVED mornings, but felt like they were taken away from me once we added small children to the mix. This exercise highlighted just how important it is to me and why making the extra effort to take them back would be worth it. Regardless of what I do with this time, just making this time for myself before others are around massively improves the rest of the day for me. It's my time to myself. *No set routine once I'm up (other than making coffee), which has helped me stick to it.* If you're curious, for me, this means waking up anywhere from 4:30am - 5:30am depending on what's going on. (Note - I've been shooting for 3-4 mornings a week; doing this all mornings would not be practical for me. Been doing it for 3 weeks now, and it's been incredibly helpful.) 2. Exercising / being in-shape When I think about the "ideal" version of my life or when in early retirement, I never picture myself as out of shape. I'm active and enjoying the mental and physical benefits that physical exercise provides me. I've realized I'm MUCH happier and more productive when I'm in shape than when I'm not. This really crystalized the importance of exercise/physical activity for me. 3. More of a "let it rip" or "just go for it" type mentality. For me, this means more authenticity and confidence. The alternative, for me, is much less productive and much less enjoyable. This one's huge. _____________ What's one of your takeaways? (Photo: the end of one of my "early mornings" this week) #intention #reflection #control #CPA #CPAcoach #coaching

My greatest fear about retirement was living a bland life. So I filled Life without Work (or Life 2.0) with big ambitions and meaningful activities. But I experienced an unexpected side effect – wishing for relaxation! Surely a life without work must allow one to kick back and savour many moments without having to go all out? Is there a case for doing less, for doing … nothing? According to the Dutch there is and we can. They even have a name for doing nothing – Niksen - “doing nothing without a purpose”. Olga Mecking elaborates –“We always have in mind some kind of outcome. When we prepare meals, we think, ‘This meal will help me lose weight or will make me healthier.’ If we go for a walk, it has to be part of our 10,000 steps. So we lose that fun of just eating or just walking. So it’s about doing nothing with no outcomes." I was intrigued but not quite ready to do nothing without expecting an outcome. So I found another option - cancel stuff that held me back and do stuff that made my life bigger. Specifically, I gave up smoking and started hiking. I was able to give up the 40 year old smoking habit because I had a compelling WHY.  And I embraced hiking because I did it with Aleth, family and friends. Stopping smoking remove blocks and starting hiking open doors to living life differently. Hiking required being fit and stopping smoking gave me a head start to fitness., and I accelerate fitness by exercising and eating better. Hiking taught me that life offered other possibilities that can lead to endings I had not considered before. Retirement gave me the freedom to do anything so I did things I always thought to do but lack the time and will to accomplish. I spend more time wth my mom. I walked my granddaughter to the bus stop and Una, our doggie, to the beach every morning. I watched foreign TV series regularly. I garden, read different content, explore new places and open self to new experiences and relationships. And I tried to do all these without expectations, without outcomes. One evening, I went to bed feeling these changes are a massive waste of time. Next morning though, I changed my mind. For a start, I slept soundly and this made me realised that better sleeping habits gave me a zip throughout the day. Another morning, I got up remembering I had an unusually vivid dream that provided the answer to a perplexing problem I’ve been grappling with for some time. And on another morning, I got up recalling something from long ago that gave me much joy. This gave me a good vibe that lasted. More often than not, I go about my days in a good mood, and at peace even though I do not have the answers to many questions. I am not quite ready to do nothing without expecting an outcome – BUT there is something valuable about doing it - and I am gonna find out more. I will learn by doing, making mistakes. and look for answers. This will take time. That’s OK. I am in Life 2.0. I am in no hurry.

✨Happy Retirement Day to me!✨ Yes, I'm still working. Capitalism calls, but this day feels like my retirement day because it marks a fundamental shift in how I work. So, what's changed in a year? ➡️ Left my corporate job for a slower pace and took a sabbatical. ➡️ Focused on my consulting business full-time instead of juggling a full-time job and two side-hustles. ➡️ Closed my Etsy shop & have only taken on calligraphy projects that spark my interests & schedule. ➡️ Enjoyed slow mornings with my daughter without rushing, volunteered, and had very few long nights. ➡️ Spent more quality time than I can count with people that mean the most without being tied to my work laptop or phone. ➡️ Surrounded myself with a community of people who support me for exactly who I am. ➡️ Regained my confidence and self-assurance that I’m my best guide. I don't want to glamorize entrepreneurship—it's tough and 10000% not for everyone. But I do want to glamorize designing your life with intention and not a sense of urgency or expectation. I'm reading Cal Newport’s "Slow Productivity" and agree wholeheartedly with its tenets: do less, focus on quality, and work at a natural pace. 🗣️ Ambition is not synonymous with busyness, burnout, or dollar signs, and you can create whatever life you desire at a pace that aligns with your unique needs. The last year in business has been amazing and I've worked at a pace that feels right, with minimal overwhelm, and I feel like I’ve done my best work. It’s not lost on me that it’s because for the first time in YEARS I’m not doing all the things, I’m extremely focused, & can create more clearly. The same clarity you feel after a full night’s sleep is the same clarity you can achieve by slowing down and looking at your life more holistically. HUGE thanks to my clients for trusting in me and to my peers for your listening ear and words of encouragement. ✨ If you’re an individual and have an itch to do things differently, feel free to message me. I love connecting with people who sip the same sauce, and I’d love to support anyone else on their journey. So many people have poured into me and I consider it my duty to do the same. ✨ If you’re an organization looking for a consultant to shake things up and move beyond your traditional meetings & learning experiences, l’d love to partner with you! Leaving you with a podcast episode in the comments that I recorded with one of my dearest friends in October that shares a little more about my journey. A few things have changed since then but I hope to share more in the upcoming year when I can show up consistently & at a pace that works best for me. Looking forward to what’s next!

Most people wait until retirement to start living their dreams. Here's a better way to do it: In 5 Steps:   1. Get crystal-clear clarity right now on what your dream life looks like.   You might be closer than you think, you might be living it already, or you might be millions of miles from it.   Take some time to get clear on what your dream life looks and feels like.   2. Analyse the gap.   What's missing? What skills are you lacking? What do you need to change? etc.   Once you know how to plug the gap or build a bridge to your dreams, the more real they become for you.   3. Formulate a plan.   My clients follow my fulfilment formula, which contains three key areas but also contains other elements that feed into the three key areas.   Read this carefully: You need a plan!   Without a plan, your dreams remain exactly that: dreams.    4. Build a naughty support system.   I say naughty as in great. Like some people say, sick, bad ass, or wicked, anyway, you get the idea.   Your support system isn't just people, by the way. They are incredibly important, so don't surround yourself with d**k heads, but your support system is also you; it's also data, aka measurements. Remember build a naughty support system.   5. Start right now!   It's a cheesy cliche, but action-takers really do win. Well, scratch that: those who take 'inspired action' win!   Taking inspired action is actually crazy in how it works.   It's like an antidote for procrastination, for unfulfillment, and for feeling s**t about yourself.   When you take inspired action, you build habits, get consistent, and begin to create momentum, which ultimately leads to results that ultimately lead you to your dreams.   I remember years ago, one of my dreams was not to work on Friday. Now,  this might seem small, but how long have you been thinking about not working Fridays?   Once I used all the other steps above, it wasn't as hard to do as I thought. I haven't worked on a Friday since 83 🤣   There you have it. The above is pretty much a framework that I use with my high-paying clients. I coach them how they can make all of the above part of their day to day life so they can live their dreams and not have to wait until 69 or whatever retirement age is.   Obviously, there's a tonne of other stuff that goes into my coaching, but these 5 steps work!   Finally, What's your dream?   Please let me know in the comments, as I love this stuff.   -   🌟Two days until my free live training🌟   'How to apply my fulfilment formula in 2024 to transform your life from aimless and unsatisfying to purpose-driven and fulfilled.'   I'll be sharing incredible knowledge, wisdom, experience, and expertise on how you can live a purpose-driven and fulfilled life on your terms. This stuff is usually reserved for my high-paying clients only.   Simply interact with this post in someway, and I'll send you a personal invitation 👍 #dreams #goals #happiness #mindset #plan #takeaction

Just rewatched "Soul" and it hit me with another perspective this time. Seeing Joe Gardner, so focused on playing at the Half Note that he practically skips over his entire life. It's like many people just don't think about retirement planning until it's too late. They're staring down the barrel of retirement with nothing but financial worries and a whole lot of "what ifs." It's like Joe, desperate to get back to his body and actually live his life. "Soul" reminds us: there is no rehearsal in life. We don't get a do-over on our golden years. That's why it's so important to start planning for retirement early, but not just for the money. Remember 22, the lost soul? Stuck in that cosmic waiting room, full of negativity and a total lack of spark. It hit me – just like 22, some people walk around numb, overwhelmed by negative emotions. They lose sight of the beauty in everyday life and miss out on those spark moments that make life truly meaningful. This is where #mindfulness comes in. "Soul" reminds us of the importance of paying attention to our emotions and cultivating a positive outlook. Just like 22 needed to experience the world through Joe to find her spark, we all need to engage with life and savour its simple joys. Think about it – a bad day at work, a fight with a friend, constant negativity – these things can cloud our judgment and leave us feeling like 22, lost and directionless. Having said that, we have the power to shift our focus. Focus on the sparks, not the storm clouds. Make a conscious effort to appreciate the little things – a beautiful sunrise, a good conversation, a delicious meal. These are the sparks that ignite joy and keep us grounded. And the best part? By nurturing these sparks now, you're laying the foundation for a truly fulfilling retirement. Here’s my key takeaway from the move: it isn't just about finding your purpose in life; it's about the journey itself. By being mindful of our emotions and staying #positive, we open ourselves up to the countless #spark moments waiting to be discovered. Don't let life pass you by in a haze of negativity. Find your spark and nurture it. By finding your spark and keeping your eyes on the horizon, you'll be well on your way to crafting a #retirement filled with both financial security and genuine happiness. #sparkoflife #retirementplanning #positivepsychology

It’s been awhile, seven months exactly, since I’ve disappeared from professional LI. Those who know me well know that my husband and I achieved a goal we set seven years ago - to take a year off together before we reach whatever retirement age is supposed to be. We felt it was important to take time off while we’re still young. I didn’t realize it then, but it is also affording us to be the designers of our own lives. I never felt like I had real control before. We had been following the social norm of going through life in the prescribed order: school, work, move your way up the professional ladder, count the years to retirement and speak about the fun you’ll have, then retire and not know how to do it and quite possibly not be physically able to complete your most challenging physical goals. Or even more morbid but still in the realm of reality is to no longer be on this planet when retirement finally arrives (sending love to my friends who are no longer here or the ones left behind). Just like my professional career, I’ve realized that life isn’t linear. It’s way more fun, challenging, and fulfilling to go about it with an open mind and growth mindset. Which means break the mold of what society says I’m supposed to do and take a year off with my husband to explore the world, challenge ourselves in new physical and mental ways, and spend time self-reflecting. So far I’ve graduated from a HBR Online course Leading with Finance, experienced interesting people and places in eight countries (two more in the immediate future), summitted two 14ers in CO, finally camped in a van for weeks, (still trying to) learn Spanish, became a cellar rat and a tasting room “expert” at a CO winery, graduated from safety backpacking courses, and spent more time with my family than I’ve ever been able to before. And I’ve reflected, meditated, and narrowed down (somewhat) how I will design my life going forward. And fully accepting the design / plan might change eight more times before it’s over. I was scared to take a break from my professional ladder, and I still have moments of panic that I’m missing out. In those times, I acknowledge those feelings as legitimate and then change my thinking to excitement for my next challenge. I encourage anyone else to pause, realize the gift(s) you have, take time to experience them and give to others. If you have a non-linear life, it's ok. And in fact, it just might make you a more interesting human!

Do you also dream too big only to find yourself in bed blaming yourself? What if I told you, you could “buy” time? (Yes, you read that right.) As someone who wears multiple hats professionally, people often ask… While people plan their retirement in their 50s, how do you manage to be at the peak of your career and constantly explore new things? Well, the secret lies in managing my time right. ⌚ For me, time is precious money. Once gone, unlike money, you can’t get it back. I live by the philosophy: “You can't buy more hours in a day, but you can master the ones you have.” 💰 But what if I told you time can be bought? Here are the rules I stick to, to make the most of my time: 1. Delegate Everything You Can Identify tasks that can be delegated without compromising quality. This saves you time and gives you the mental peace to focus on what truly matters. I delegate mundane activities like driving, cooking, and shopping. (I decide what to wear from Monday to Friday on weekends) Making time is priceless. We have one life and must live it to the fullest. 2. Eliminate, Not Prioritize List your 5 core areas and activities that bring maximum satisfaction, and delete/delegate anything outside that list. My "Big 5": Work, Family & Friends, Learning, Health, and Spreading Awareness. I am ruthless about eliminating anything outside my top 5. The rest gets delegated or deleted. I don’t believe in the ‘it only takes a minute’ philosophy. It never takes ONLY a minute. ❌ When in doubt, I apply Deathbed logic: on my deathbed, what would I be happier doing…this or that? 3. Stick to a Routine Waking up, eating, exercising, and reading all happen at the same time every day. Smart food choices keep me focused and energized, helping me work better. 🥗 This routine is my time-saving secret weapon, reducing decision-making time and maximizing efficiency. 🏋️ As Cicero said, to be completely free, one must become the slave of a set of laws. Focusing on health and wellness is non-negotiable. It's one of the major reasons I can start and experiment with new things at 52, while others are busy planning their retirement. Do you struggle with managing your time? Let me know in the comments below. #TimeManagement #MultiTasking #Productivity

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧… 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞? Society pushes us towards a specific life path - school, career, family, retirement... then, supposedly, we just ...expire 💀 But ...what if retirement isn't an ending, but a beautiful new beginning? I work with many women who feel lost and "unseen" after retiring. They struggle with the fear of pre-retirement uncertainty and a lack of purpose and meaning, post-retirement. However, your incredible wisdom and life experiences are invaluable forever! There's so much you can offer the world, regardless of your age. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 '𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞' 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞? That's why it’s so crucial to examine the stories we tell ourselves. We need to renew our minds. I’m working with an amazing woman who came to me for a Kingdom Leadership & Life coaching session. I asked her if she had considered coaching and her response was, that she thought the idea of her being a coach at her age was preposterous. She said, she had no experience, no qualifications and she was retired. She completely doubted her ability to be a coach. There were so many barriers she saw, telling her it was impossible for her. Yet having the opportunity to get to know her, she was a natural coach. The way she spoke, the way she used questions, she had a coach's curiosity, she's had tremendous experiences, expertise, accomplishments, challenges and a heart to serve. By all accounts, I look at her and see ‘coach’. But she looked at herself and all she could see was doubt, fears, and obstacles. Her limiting beliefs were terribly powerful, but 𝐦𝐲 𝟒𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝© 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫! I went through my limiting belief-breaking system with her and gave her 5 critical coaching questions to answer: 1. Do you feel resistance? 2. What exactly is it that she's resisting? 3. Where did she think the resistance was coming from? 4. Who might you become if you keep resisting? 5. Who might you become if you stop resisting? I woke up this morning to a message that she had gone through my 4DIS Method© and she gave me the answers to the questions. The exciting thing is, she was able to re-discover her potential and is now ready to embark on a whole new adventure! ✨ I’m elated, especially because I have the opportunity to grant her a full scholarship to join my Purpose-Driven Coach Collective so I can help her build her coaching business. We all have a purpose which is valid at every stage of our life. if you are breathing, you have power to transform lives- yours and the lives of others. So, I’d love to hear from you, do you see retirement as the ‘end’ of the race?

Recently I was at a gathering where someone was sharing their retirement countdown, and how excited they were for the day that they could stop going to the job they loathe. In fact, they even had an app to count down not just the days, but the hours, minutes, and seconds. As they talked about this others at the table laughed and laughed and laughed, but I didn't. I couldn't even force out a fake laugh.   To me, it's not funny.  💔 Wishing your time away isn't funny. 💔 Spending your entire life at a job you hate isn't funny ❤️🩹Living in the fantasy that you'll be happy when_______ (insert next thing you're waiting to have over with) isn't amusing.   It was on September 4, 2016 that I no longer found that conversation funny, and I completely wanted to step away from that societally engrained narrative. This was the day my dad passed away. I was 29, he was 64 - so close to his retirement.   He passed suddenly, unexpectedly, and in a shockingly rare way, but this scenario is NOT rare. I see it time and time again.    Do you recognize this scenario, too?   Without even knowing it - are you living out the belief that going to a job you loathe every day is 'normal' all for the prize of a few brief years at the end of your life you'll get to enjoy?   To me, that's no way to live.    I want you know to you have options. Whether you're two years from retirement or two decades, you don't have to go to a job you can't stand.    You may be so close to the finish line at your job that quitting simply doesn't feel like an option that you're willing to explore. So, here's what your option is: to choose to stop hating your job now, and start being a person who finds gratitude not only for what you do but also for what your job creates for you. Period.    It can be that simple. (Side note: Simple and easy are not the same.)   Or you might fall into the other category of people. ⤵️   You're someone who has an idea for another business, or you've already begun cultivating that business, and you want out of your job like yesterday. You know that where you're at isn't where you're meant to stay, but you're also scared to leave.   This is who Exit Plan is for.    You're ready to open your eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead of you. Sure, staying at your job is an option, but it's not the only one.    Exit Plan helps you: ⚡️ move out of where you no longer want to be and step fully into where you want to go. ⚡️ create a smart plan and path to becoming the full-time Founder you know you're meant to be.    If you're ready to make stepping into your business the inevitable next right step, instead of a big, scary leap of faith Exit Plan is for you.    Take it from me. Life is too damn short to hate what you do every single day. https://lnkd.in/gEASez5X

When you get to an almost 40 years career in IT it is hard to avoid the usual questions about retirement. On this trip it was not different and I got these questions multiple times: When will you go? When do you know you are ready? How do you stop working? How do you stay happy? When faced with those questions I usually tell people this saying I heard a long time ago. It goes like this: To be happy in life you need 5 solid hobbies. The first one is the one that pays your bills. Make the best possible use of it and save always and constantly. The second hobby is the one that helps you stay healthy and in shape. Some people forget that you can't have a good life if you don't have the energy to enjoy it. The third one is the one that drives the creative part of you. The one that creates that spark to wake up everyday. Life was never suppose to be boring. Don't make yours that then. The fourth is the one that drives your knowledge and intellect. Life changes every minute. Yes! it does. Just look at you! So you need to learn something new everyday so you are ready for the changes in life. The last one is the one that helps you improve yourself in a psychological and spiritual way. Independent of your believes there is something bigger out there and to enjoy life you need to embrace yourself and it somehow. So back to the questions I got. My answer based on the above has been: I am good today. When I am not good, sometime in the future, I think about retirement. But it will only happen if I lost one of the 5 hobbies somehow. So my question to you is are you good? How many of the 5 hobbies you have? #personalgrowth #peopledevelopment #people