At Navigate Forward’s 2025 Author’s Breakfast, guest speaker Derek Coburn challenged us to rethink what “retirement” really means. His book, Let’s Retire Retirement, offers a refreshing reminder that fulfillment doesn’t come from stepping away from work. It comes from doing work that matters.
Three of Derek’s key insights from the book especially resonated with me and with the work we do every day at Navigate Forward.
1. You’ll live a far better life when your work, now and in the future, feels meaningful.
Lingering in a role where you feel undervalued, uninspired, or disconnected can limit both your professional impact and personal fulfillment. Letting go of what no longer fits can open doors to new possibilities, whether that means shifting industries, pursuing purpose-driven projects, or stepping into board service. If you’re wondering what’s next, a Career Checkup could be the perfect first step.
2. You already have a lot of the skills that will be needed in the future, and the jobs that will be available haven’t even been invented yet.
This reminder is powerful for executives at a crossroads. Experience, adaptability, and leadership don’t lose value, they evolve. The ability to think strategically, build relationships, and lead through change will always be in demand, even as new industries and opportunities emerge. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to stay curious, open, and ready to apply your strengths in fresh ways.
3. If you still have wisdom to share and love what you do, you can set up work on your terms.
Today’s career landscape offers more flexibility than ever before. Consulting, fractional leadership, or selective board roles can keep you engaged in the work you love without the constraints of a traditional full-time structure.
At Navigate Forward, we see this every day through our Executive Transition, Legacy Planning, and Board Readiness services. Each helps leaders move from what they’ve done to what’s next with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
- Executive Transition helps leaders pause, reflect, and recalibrate to define what meaningful work looks like in their next chapter, and build a clear plan to get there.
- Legacy Planning (which integrates Encore Planning) guides executives to leave well and begin well. As you near your corporate departure, we help you design an intentional transition, so you don’t drift into your next chapter but instead launch into it. Together, we clarify what matters most, explore encore options such as consulting, community leadership, board service, or teaching, and craft the strategic narrative and materials to bring that plan to life.
- Board Readiness equips experienced leaders to contribute at the highest levels of governance by defining your board positioning, developing your marketing narrative, and navigating opportunities across public, private, and nonprofit boards.
As Derek reminded us, meaningful work doesn’t have an expiration date. Whether you’re thinking about your next role, shaping your legacy, or exploring board opportunities, your experience still matters. Further, it can continue to create value for years to come.
If you’re beginning to ask what’s next, we’re here to help you define what meaningful work looks like in the next chapter of your career. Contact our team to start the conversation.
