Purpose & Power In Retirement: New Opportunities for Meaning and Purpose [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Harold Koenig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2005

Eighty million baby boomers are heading toward retirement. Some are retiring now, either out of choice or because they have been laid off. Others will work for a few more years until their retirement plans kick in, until they feel they can retire, or until theyre forced to retire. Whatever their age at retirement, they will have better health and live longer than their parents. And each of them will face these questions: Do I want a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about the day ahead? Do I still want to make a difference in the world? They need a visiona goal that takes into account their experience, wisdom, strengths, and limitations, and gives purpose to their lives.Dr. Harold G. Koenig, with expertise in the fields of geriatrics, mental health, and religion, explains that the notion of retirement was in fact a marketing tool developed in the post-World War II period.Continuing today, societys image of retirement is based largely on myths, such as: things will get better when you retireyoull be able to do everything you wanted to but couldnt when you worked. In fact, these beliefs can be harmful, leading to emotional issues, identity crises, and problems with physical health.Citing current scientific and medical research, Koenig illustrates how having a purpose motivates and energizes people in their retirement years. He presents a step-by-step guide to identifying a goal toward which they can strive. And he shows how striving for that goal in itself brings meaning, satisfaction, and a sense of reward to retirement years.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this thoughtful self-help manual, Duke University associate medicine professor Koenig explores life after retirement as an opportunity for growth. He presents a stimulating overview of the social trends e.g., the shift from older Americans working far past the age of 65 (in the 1800s) to older Americans with increased economic independence (in the 1900s) that led to the common view of retirement years as leisure time. Koenig debunks the myths that surround this life period and argues that embarking on a life of relaxation is actually counter-productive to one's health. A life of self-indulgence may lead to "lower levels of well-being" brought on by weight gain and marital problems, he says. Koenig contends that a successful retirement results not from a high income, but rather from identifying a higher purpose in life that will lead to emotional fulfillment. Although everyone must design their own retirement goals, Koenig suggests choosing activities that benefit others and that are based on talents or abilities a retiree possesses and will enjoy utilizing. He recommends seeking out volunteer opportunities, and also stresses deepening one's personal spirituality in retirement. Those who share the author's strong religious orientation will benefit the most from his advice. A committed Christian, he nevertheless believes that all religions can offer the means to spiritual development and offers here resources for people of many faiths, as well as for those who are uncertain of their spiritual direction. Altogether, it makes for an introspective look at a lengthening period in the lives of older Americans.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Well researched and packed with statistics and studies (and 286 endnotes!), his book observes that "baby boomers will be the healthiest, most physically active, best-educated group of retirees in history." In an academic tone, he encourages retirees to "make a meaningful difference for at least one other person" in the world. Yes, retirees have earned the right to relax, but while "recreation and a little self-indulgence are definitely part of the picture....They are not at the center of the picture." Koenig writes more as a social scientist, and thus his book is suitable for academic libraries. For the cut-and-dried crowd, try Lynn O'Shaughnessy's The Retirement Bible.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Templeton Press; Unabridged edition (May 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932031871
• ISBN-13: 978-1932031874
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,448,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Koenig completed his undergraduate education at Stanford University, his medical school training at the University of California at San Francisco, and his geriatric medicine, psychiatry, and biostatistics training at Duke University Medical Center. He is board certified in general psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and geriatric medicine, and is on the faculty at Duke as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Associate Professor of Medicine, and is on the faculty at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor. He is also a registered nurse. Dr. Koenig is Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center, and has published extensively in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and religion, with over 350 scientific peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and nearly 40 books in print or in preparation. He is considered by biomedical scientists as one of the world's top experts on religion and health (http://www.biomedexperts.com/Concept.bme/18754/Religion). His research on religion, health and ethical issues in medicine has been featured on dozens of national and international TV news programs (including ABC's World News Tonight, The Today Show and two episodes of Good Morning America), nearly a hundred national or international radio programs, and hundreds of newspapers and magazines (including Reader's Digest, Parade Magazine, Newsweek, Time, and Guidepost). Dr. Koenig has given testimony before the U.S. Senate (1998) and U.S. House of Representatives (2008) concerning the benefits of religion and spirituality on public health, and travels widely to give seminars and workshops on the topic. His latest books are (1) Faith and Mental Health (2005), (2) In the Wake of Disaster (2006), (3) Spirituality in Patient Care (2007), Medicine, Religion and Health (2008), Religion and Spirituality in Psychiatry (2009), Handbook of Religion and Health, Second Edition (Jan/Feb 2012, Oxford University Press), and Spirituality and Health Research: Methodology, Measurement, Analyses, and Resources (2011).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On reaping the most out of our retirement years, January 3, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Purpose And Power In Retirement (HB): New Opportunities for Meaning and Significance (Hardcover)

Purpose And Power In Retirement: New Opportunities For Meaning And Significance by Harold G. Koenig (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center) is a straightforward, "reader friendly" guide that dispels common retirement myths, and offers invaluable, practical advice for making the most of one's "golden years", including reaping the benefits of volunteering, learning to live healthy for a better quality of life, reducing personal stress, and more. An excellent and very highly recommended instructional and reference guide to reaping the most out of our retirement years, Purpose And Power In Retirement should be a part of every community library Retirement Preparation and Personal Growth collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat dated, June 16, 2009

By 

Neil M "Neil" (Ct, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Purpose And Power In Retirement (PB) (Paperback)

This is a relatively easy, somewhat thoughtful read. However for a 2002 book it felt strangely out of date. My sense was that it was aimed at people who wake up on their 65th birthday and suddenly find their 40 year career is over. There was none of the current angst about the word "retirement", nor much coverage of the many "portfolio" options available to people in the age 50+ space
Overall ok, but there are better books on this subject area.
The basic thesis of this book is that many people arrive at retirement unprepared. They need to develop a purpose and the best source of purpose is volunteer work. Volunteering is part of the important task of cultivating generosity. There is a chapter about developing spirituality which is said to be important...this chapter is largely Christian based. Many of the other chapters refer to the author's Christian background but it is not likely to be intrusive for non-Christians. I didn't read the chapter on "Reducing Stress"; and "Live Healthily" is much better covered in other books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration, informative, fascinating, December 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Purpose And Power In Retirement (PB) (Paperback)

As a person getting ready to retire, this is a treasure trove of practical information that has been very helpful. Not only is it informative, it is also inspirational and a fast and easy read.