Customer Reviews

What's Next . . . For You?: The Gussin Guide to Big Changes, Big Decisions, and Big Fun

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, be forewarned. This claims to be "a clear, easy-to-understand guide to reinventing yourself", but where is the "you" in the title? It's all about the Gussins and no direct advice. Basically, it's a book about how THEY did it; changing gears and moving from work you have to do to work you want to do. I would have appreciated some practical advice along the way. Also, the two authors retired from upper management positions at a major pharmaceutical company, probably making mid-six figures a year between the two of them. Certainly not the average American retiree salary, which I believe is closer to $45,000. A more relevant read would be Stan Hinden's "How to Retire Happy (3rd Ed.)", also available at Amazon

I'm not *quite* to the stage of retirement, but it's definitely getting to the point where I can make it out on the horizon. And my thoughts have started to wander to the "and what will I do next?" series of questions. Robert and Patricia Gussin have a book titled What's Next . . . For You?: The Gussin Guide to Big Changes, Big Decisions, and Big Fun that walks you through what they went through to answer that question... life decisions that weren't expected, but that they had the courage to embrace and run with. I can only hope that I'm willing to be open to those same types of opportunities that will no doubt come up for me also.

Patricia is a physician and Robert was a chief scientific officer for a global firm in their professional lives. But like most couples that both have high-powered careers, the stress and time demands started wearing them down. Their adventures in following new paths began when they decided, mainly on a whim, to purchase some beach property in an area that they both enjoyed visiting. What was to be a "future investment" and eventual beachside cottage turned out to be a six bedroom home built shortly after they bought the property. So much for savings and no mortgage. But this habit of following and doing what they loved continued on. They ended up purchasing a small vineyard in New Zealand, as well as becoming authors and running a small independent book publishing company. In nearly all cases, they didn't know much of anything about what they were going to do, but they knew enough to ask for help and surround themselves with quality people. So now, at a time when most "retirees" would be slowing down and downsizing, they're living a life they love with never-ending adventures and opportunities.

What's Next . . . For You? is not a "do this, do this, do this" type of methodology cookbook. In fact, you could almost label it a memoir of sorts. But what's important is their underlying message that opportunities and adventure are out there, and "retirement" does not have to mean playing bingo or bridge with your friends all day (assuming that's all you can afford to do). This book rekindled my desire to keep working on those things outside my chosen profession that make me happy as well as bringing in side income. There's a real chance that those activities could be parleyed into something more, something that would make my retirement far more exciting and fulfilling than my "regular job" ever was.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Publicist
Payment: Free

Blending memoir with insights into the process of personal reinvention, "What's Next . . . For You? The Gussin Guide to Big Changes, Big Decisions, and Big Fun" is the story of the Gussins, a husband and wife who, after long successful professional career is in science and medicine respectively, retired to establish themselves in totally new occupations as writers, publishers, and even winemakers. In addition to their intrinsically fascinating autobiographies, "What Next For You?" is also a compendium of sage insights and invaluable advice on how anyone can alter their own lives to pursue a more fulfilling lifestyle or life goal. As informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring, "What Next For You?" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' and highly recommended for community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement reference collections and personal reading lists.

I agree with another reviewer in that the Gussin's have an interesting tale but this book is 99 percent about their experiences. And, it all could have been told in a three-page article for AARP.

For some reason, I keep finding my way back to this book. After retiring a couple years ago, I found myself in a new, unexpected career. Reading the Gussin's book is more about seeing what changes they made in their lives rather than reading the book to see what changes I should make.

However, for me it is confirmation that the road I chose is the right road even when family and friends disagree, or at least frown when I mention my new career. Reading What's Next...for You? shows me that not only am I on the right road, there may be more coming up ahead than I realize.

Robert and Patricia Gussin's book is their story, and an interesting one it is. It is also a beautiful picture of someone saying, if we can do it - so can you! They stepped out and took chances, discovered new interests, and became successful in new areas mainly because they dared to move forward. They could have used retirement as a time of sitting on the beach drinking Mai-Tai's, but they decided to follow their desires and dreams to see where they would lead.

The book is a joy to read. I had the pleasure of reviewing Patricia Gussin's book, The Test. It was a thoroughly engrossing story. Hopefully, I will get the chance to read more of her novels.

I strongly recommended this book for anyone who is retired or preparing to retire and wondering what's next for them.

What's Next . . . For You?: The Gussin Guide to Big Changes, Big Decisions, and Big Fun

Although light, easy going, and a quick read, the book sneaks in quite a bit of meaning. Without any heavy-handedness, and told in the context of a sometimes self-depricating narrative, there are some really insightful perspectives on retirement ("graduation" as one of the authors doggedly calls it). It's sort of like having a dinner conversation with two very interesting, likable people--but when it's over you feel greatly enriched.