As I prepared to retire from the professional service firm I’d been privileged to be a partner of for more than 20 years, I embarked on a program very much assisted by Tim and Michael.

Michael made me think, and Tim actively challenged me about what’s next. Through many sessions, initially with my favourite person joining me and then just one-on-one, Tim forced me to challenge myself. Amongst the many moments, one sticks in my memory. We were at a retreat ( my firm referred to it as Pinnacle, but for me it was always God’s Waiting Room) for partners and spouses designed to prepare us for leaving the firm and my favourite person and I were sent off to discuss an aspect of my leaving the firm. As usual, we defaulted to discussing the children. Tim checked in and said he’d be very annoyed if we were discussing the children the next time he came by instead of what we were supposed to be chatting about. It was a wake-up call and set me on the ‘What’s Next’ path.

I’ve been on that path for more than a decade. This blog, started in 2013, is just one element. Like my reading of Herminia Ibarra’s Working Identities, it came out of one of the many coaching conversations with Tim.

So, as I click through more than ten years of ‘What’s Next,’ I feel like another change is before me.

The first 10 years were a transition from life as a chartered accountant and partner in a large professional service firm. During that period, I experimented with teaching at the university, completed my Honours, and earned a PhD. I also continued to consult to a number of businesses. The number of consulting roles has reduced to two, I’m no longer teaching at the University, and I am in my last year of chairing an advisory board within the University.

The desire to move to another phase has become more pressing in the last few months. I have decided that I don’t want additional consulting work beyond my current roles and won’t be seeking further University teaching roles. I want more time to devote to our family. The arrival of our fourth grandchild is a blessing, and I want to be available to help whenever I can. It’s not a chore but a joy to spend time with them.

After completing my PhD, I felt there was something more to life. My PhD made me examine my beliefs. As I reflected on it, coupled with our visit to Jerusalem and the numerous churches we had visited in Europe, I felt a desire to explore my thoughts on Christianity. Walking some of the Stations of the Cross, seeing where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb all kept gnawing away at me. At Assisi, I’d felt something different. So I started to read the Bible. Then I began to attend the odd Church Service. I kept getting something out of it. I felt there was something more there. I’m glad I did and am now a regular churchgoer and committed Christian. I was confirmed last year at the age of 65! It’s. Journey, a very personal one, and I’m glad I’m on it.

I’m also keen to get back in the garden. With our beach house renovation, there is plenty of scope. Our front yard, once a mish-mash of dirt, weeds, and melaleuca, is now just a dirt patch. This will provide me with plenty of opportunities to get back in the garden, as it will truly be a blank canvas.

There is also the odd piece of furniture at the beach house that needs to be brought back to life. I used to do a bit of furniture renovation before the children were born, and I’m looking forward to dabbling in it again.

My gym obsession is growing. I was overweight when I retired. My road riding was not improving my fitness or helping me manage my weight. So I stopped riding and went to the gym. I lost weight—more than 20 kgs. I weigh less than I did when I left school, and doubt I’ve ever been fitter. I have a local gym nearby and a mini gym at the beach house. These days, when I travel, the first thing I check on is whether there is a gym at our accommodation or nearby. Going to the gym is an integral part of my recreation, and as we prepare for our annual visit to Port Douglas, I’m looking forward to going there. Yes, I also changed my diet, but as much as anything, that came from the fact that I was losing weight by going to the gym. 

I’ve also started reading again. It’s never been a passion of mine. In the past, my reading has usually been nonfiction, but of late, I’ve been reading more fiction and enjoying it.

My About section discusses my love for travel, particularly Italy. However, having all of our children and grandchildren nearby has changed my desire for travel. For now, travel is not where I derive most satisfaction. In the coming months, it might be time to revisit that aspect of my About section.

So 10 years on, I feel like I’m ready to embark on my next chapter.

Thanks, Tim and Michael, for your excellent coaching and mentoring.