By Steven V. Dubin
My first thought was, “Wow. If I could have half that energy and enthusiasm.”
Gayle Hanrahan, age 66, lights up the room with ideas and optimism. She is a beacon of light for seniors who are looking for a structured, guided and supported way to find their next chapter.
After several decades with Home Box Office (HBO cable network) as a trainer and leadership coach, Gayle took early retirement at age 62. With a generous severance package from HBO, as they were bought out by AT&T, you’d think that Gayle had it made.
She hung out a Life Coaching shingle and thought clients would beat a path to her door. Instead, Gayle spiraled into depression. She mourned the loss of her community and tribe.
In addition to seeking treatment, she tried working in retail at Kohl’s, the front desk for a hotel chain, and a grocery store. She felt alone.
She knew she needed to help others and make sure more socialization was part of her new chapter—in business and in her personal life.
Fortunately, Gayle’s coaching business began to gain traction from word-of-mouth referrals from delighted clients. Many of her clients, like herself, were recent retirees struggling with the transition.
She is in the process of writing a one-woman play entitled “How I Flunked Retirement.” She prefers the phrase “Rewire” over “Retire.” And even better…REFIRE! As Gayle knows firsthand, there are many tools to help with the process. You are not alone out there.
Gayle holds accreditation from the Center for Coaching Certification. She is also a Best Year Yet certified coach and partner. Gayle is currently pursuing ICF (International Coaching Federation) certification. She also holds certification in the Enneagram Personality Typing System.
Gayle works with clients to set and achieve goals, improve relationships, and increase overall happiness and fulfillment. She helps identify limiting beliefs and behaviors and, together with her clients, crafts a simple, one-page customized plan that puts specific action steps and energy behind that plan. From baby steps to bigger things. And Gayle’s clients see results. Her clients’ actions produce results and learning. Gayle is there as a guide, sounding board, cheerleader, and accountability partner.
Gayle’s goal is to help people find their way and then fire her. Seriously. Once people have utilized her structure, accountability, and support tools, they most often are then able to create and sustain their own positive path going forward.
Gayle points to the Walt Disney quote, “The way to get started is quit talking and get doing.” Perhaps you should heed the advice.
The first session is free. Gayle believes that you can’t know the full value of coaching until you experience it firsthand and decide for yourself if you’ve been powerfully coached.
If you would like to learn more about Gayle Hanrahan’s coaching service, visit the website https://gaylehanrahancoaching.com/. Or listen to the recent South Shore Senior News “My Generation” podcast interview at https://gaylehanrahancoaching.com/podcasts-video.
If you know of a senior who is doing something interesting with their retirement, I look forward to hearing from you! Please email me at SDubin@PRWorkZone.com
Steven V. Dubin is the founder of PR Works, a lightly used Public Relations firm based in Plymouth, MA, which helps small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies navigate the overwhelming options of advertising. Steve lives in Plymouth with his wife Wendy. He is a contributing author to “Get Slightly Famous” and “Tricks of the Trade,” the complete guide to succeeding in the advice business. He recently authored “PR 101,” an E-book.
