My Paradigm Shift in Cuenca, Ecuador as an Expat -- a Retirement Transformation, a Metamorphisis. -- Finding a New Hat!

 Did you know that Panama Hats really come from Ecuador?

I needed to turn my life around (almost entirely), and I am getting there day by day as a retired expat baby boomer living in Cuenca, Ecuador. It has been a series of sharp turns in what I think and what I do, and the entire event might be loosely described as a paradigm shift, to borrow from my college science classes.

Maybe I am just looking for a new hat to wear...
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But back to this idea of a paradigm shift.

Back in the 1960s, my professors used this term to describe what scientists are sometimes forced to do when facing a number of competing unique and immeasurable solutions to a problem that has already been “solved” (at least by science).

The scientist must swallow pride and be brave enough to take another square look at all of the information she has been avoiding, and ultimately allow much of it into her small world to be studied and then accepted before issuing any further scientific edicts about this topic.

Once this paradigm shift is completed, more unique ideas are accepted as legitimate and become part of the science world to be used as science progresses, and gradually this change of thought brings dramatic change to a culture and even to the entire planet.

In 1962, Thomas Kuhn, an American physicist, historian, and science philosopher, wrote The Structure of Scientific Revolution, coming up with this revolutionary and controversial idea, arguing that scientific advancement is not evolutionary, but rather is a "series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions", and in those revolutions "one conceptual world view is replaced by another".

Kuhn knew that change does not just happen, but must be driven by something – a person or event that we call, in business and in science, an agent of change.

Think of those brave change agents who fought the belief that the earth was at the center of the universe. Because of their insistence, the prevailing truth was ultimately tossed out the window, resulting in a paradigm-shift that put our planet in its proper place, with the sun in the center. The dramatic result of this shift moved science from Newtonian physics to Relativity and Quantum Physics.

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See my retirement photos on Pinterest
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Or consider the printing press and how the printing of books in large volume gradually changed cultures and had a direct affect on the scientific revolution. Johann Gutenberg's invention in the 1440's of movable type was an agent of change. Books became more available, smaller and easier to handle and less expensive than scrolls. Far more people were able to access the scriptures and attitudes began to change as people were no longer under the dictates of the church, people luck Martin Luther.

Today’s change agents are driving paradigm shifts that are all around us. 

Just think of how the computer and the Internet have changed our personal and business lives, resulting in a paradigm shift for publishing. Do you visit a newspaper website? Read eBooks?
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So where does Cuenca, Ecuador come into play as some of my current paradigms are starting to slip slide away? 

This is what I will be addressing in this blog – and I invite you to come along this journey, sharing you thoughts and experiences. 

I want to hear your comments, ideas and stories about this topic (and other retirement issues). So please send them to me and get published!

Meanwhile, I am going to visit the Panama Hat store today and take some photos to share -- and maybe even look for a new hat!

Thanks, and take care.

Susan

(Be sure to visit my retirement photos on Pinterest. And please add your own pins!)

Next time -- talking specifics about change. For me, changing how I live with diabetes has been a battle, but I am winning. Learning to speak Spanish, another shift. 

Do you have a similar change in your life to share? Has retirement provided a good time for this to occur? Please comment here. 

Seniors, Boomers -- 'We Want Jobs Now!'

Considering working after retirement? 


For whatever your reason to want to work instead of playing cards, fishing
or gardening ... this a good time to start planning or to start looking for the 
retirement job that’s right for you, or build your own retirement business. 
Whatever you choose, you could end up living at home or in an entirely 
different county. It really is up to you!!

Excuse us, we're out WORKING!

• There used to be a distinct line between work and retirement. People like my parents worked until age 65 or so, and then took their social security and/or pensions and headed for cruises, fishing, playing with grandchildren and what they thought would be a well-deserved rest.

This is all changing, and today,
more seniors and baby boomers
are changing their age of retirement,
deciding to retire earlier or later than
age 65, and whether to make having
retirement jobs a part of their 
retirement plans. Some are even
leaving the country to work
online or off, as expatriots or expats.

* * * * *

The National Council on Aging reports

 that one in three Americans age 65

and older has a retirement job, working

at least part-time, and this retirement jobs

trend should increase.

In March 2004, the Harvard Business Review 
wrote: "Long-standing human resources practices invest 
heavily in youth and push out older workers. This must change – 
and public policy too – or companies will find themselves running 
off a demographic cliff as baby boomers age."

Still working: "Tom" Hayden (born December 11, 1939) is 
an American social and political activist and politician, known for 
his involvement in the animal rights, and the anti-war and civil 
rights movements of the 1960s. He still teaches, writes, gives 
speeches, serves on important social boards and is known for his 
work with animal rights groups and legislation.

Born in 1879, Albert Einstein was affiliated with the Institute for 
Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, until his death in 1955.

Why Do Seniors and Baby Boomers Want Retirement Jobs?

There are several basic reasons why so many people are wanting to work,
rather than play shuffleboard. Do one or more of these reasons describe you?


Many want-to-workers are looking for part-time retirement jobs or are 
starting their own businesses because they want to stretch their
retirement pensions and/or social security. This way they can earn extra 
dollars by lower health costs through health insurance. More money means 
other critical extras, such as dental work. It also means extra money for trips 
and other adventures.


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Then there are those who simply love to work. For those who are creative 
(writers, artists, consultants, entrepreneurs), work has been a major part of 
their lives and without it, retirement would be boring.


Many people who social and used to interacting with others need to maintain 
a continued social life and a built-in network of  professional colleagues and 
potential friends.


Or, what if you are the person who gave 100 percent to your job? Honestly, 
how could you quit doing something that defines your entire being. 
Continuing to work, even after retirement, would be the safest thing to do.

Do you fall into one of the above categories? If so, here are some
tips for finding meaninful retirement work:


DON'T MOVE: STAY WHERE YOU ARE—You might find the
best place to work part-time is with your current employer. 
Findings from a Cornell University study indicate that 3 out of 4 
companies would permit older employees to work fewer hours 
rather than take full retirement, but not many employers list 
retirement job option as part of their formal employment policies. 
About 1/4 of companies surveyed would allow older employees 
to reduce their hours prior to retirement and would not change 
the employees’ health benefits. 


SEEK A PART-TIME JOB—For several important reasons, including  
less absenteeism and work stronger ethics, more employers are 
becoming interested in hiring seniors, and some are even setting 
up special recruiting programs for retirement jobs to attract older 
workers.


USE YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE TO CONSULTANT—Use 
your expertise to consult with companies that prefer to contract for a
temporary basis on certain projects. You may need to get a business 
license, keep records, and file taxes as a business on the income 
you earn, if you become your own business.


WORK AS A TEMP—The largest employer in the U.S. is a temp agency 
based in Milwaukee. Check out Monster.com or brick and mortar
temp agencies in your region.


CHECK OUT SPECIAL PROGRAMS — Many federal and 
state programs offer job training and employment services to seniors,
as well as programs sponsored by local communities.


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• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) helps
  low-income people 55 and older work in community service jobs.
  Career One-Stop Centers and America’s Job Bank.
  
  Check with your state Employment Security Department, Department
  of Labor, or Department of Aging for other senior employment
  programs in your area.
  
  * * * * *
  START YOUR OWN BUSINESS
  

  At Retirement Monologues, we frequently suggest this option.

  Click HERE for help in becoming an entrepreneur.

  * * * * *

Still more important facts --

• By 2010, more than 51 percent of the workforce is expected to be                                         aged 40 or older, a 33 percent increase since 1980,
• And the number of workers aged 55 and older will grow from                                                       13 percent of the labor force in 2000 to 20 percent in 2020.