I attended my 25th high school reunion three years ago and spent time with an old friend.  She reminded me that I used to like to write.  I wrote letters, poems and stories.  I even made up words for jingles and songs.  What happened?  Life, I expect.  Busy with work, clients and day-to-day grown up stuff – for me – writing has been limited to proposals, marketing documents, training plans, client resumes and cover letters.  I had not written for the sheer pleasure of it in years.  Roseanne remembered a me that I had long forgotten.

A tearful participant in a recent retirement planning program said, "I feel like all the creative things about me have been locked away in a closet for 30 years.  Now, as I enter retirement – or think about this phase, I want to find my key."

So... three years after my reunion... after shelving writing once again, I am starting to blog.  I fought the blog.  Who has time?  Don't tell anyone, but I'm still ignoring the twitter.  Every day I meet wonderful people going through career change and career choices.  My new blog, Fagan on Careers gives me the chance to reconnect with a younger me and also a chance to share a more mature me with you.  For those of you still fighting or not facing retirement – connecting with the real you is the key to success in the retirement stage – in any stage of your career for that matter.

Whether you are contemplating job change, building your skills for your current job or considering a whole new phase of your career or retirement, take time for you.  Sometimes a hidden talent or treasure buried under layers of responsibilities and expectations can be the key to your success.  Time alone, time with a few close friends or a high school reunion can help you see the possibilities for your future through a whole new lens.