CPABC in Focus May/June 2016 | Page 32

The heart of re-engagement
To avoid painful regrets in the future, it is wise to make plans that also
include lifelong dreams. If your bucket list includes travelling to the
country of your ancestors, for example, be sure to discuss it with your
partner (if you’re part of a couple) and make a specific plan that includes action steps and a timeline. Often, couples talk about their
“someday” dreams in vague terms, and years go by without them
embracing the proactive mindset necessary to reach these heartfelt
goals. Commonly, they get sidetracked by various menial daily or
short-term tasks, or by the demands of others.
One recurring theme I often hear from accountants in my retirement
seminars is that they want to have fun and try things that are completely different from the job tasks that have occupied most of their
last 30 or 40 years. Many want to tap into new creative endeavours,
like playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, or getting
into gardening. Many are eager to give back—mentoring others and/or
devoting time to causes that truly matter to them. Many want to
spend more time with those they love, particularly their grandchildren,
which can be a wonderful source of heart-warming joy at a time of
life when family relationships commonly take on more importance.

Attitude matters
Thanks to researchers such as Dr. Becca Levy, an associate professor
of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University, we now have a
better understanding of the impact of our attitudes and beliefs on our
health and well-being. One of the most significant research studies
completed by Levy and colleagues showed that seniors who embraced
positive beliefs about aging lived 7.5 years longer.2 Likewise, those with
positive mindsets were 44% more likely to fully recover from a bout
of disability.3 Given these results, we are wise to grow our resilience
and focus on all of the abilities we still have as the years go by.
Re-engage into the best years of your life
The importance of being well prepared for what could turn out to be
the “best years of your life” cannot be overestimated. And it needn’t be
daunting. Through the range of seminars and courses now available,
there are more opportunities for pre-retiring professionals to envision
their best future and lay the groundwork for a passionate re-engagement
in life after retirement.

Judith Graham, “Older People Become What They Think – Study Shows,” New York Times, December 19, 2012. Citing: “Longevity increased by

2

positive self-perceptions of aging,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002.
3

Ibid. Citing: “Association Between Positive Age Stereotypes and Recovery From Disability in Older Persons,” Journal of the American Medical
Association, 2012.

Dentons’ Vancouver tax team.
From domestic and international tax planning
to resolving tax disputes, and everything “tax”
in-between, you can count on our advice.
Dentons. Now the world’s largest global elite law firm.*

Marie-Claire Dy
Partner, Vancouver
D [phone]

Lori Mathison
Managing Partner,
Vancouver
D [phone]

Joel Nitikman
Partner, Vancouver
D [phone]

dentons.com
© 2016 Dentons. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates.
Please see dentons.com for Legal Notices.
*Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index 2013-2015.

32  CPABC in Focus • May/June 2016