Prostate Man Chat Transcript

gathering of Villages in Philadelphia this November? This would be great exposure for the Purpose Prize and encore careers.

Alboher: Rita, I'd love to hear more about your organization. Sounds like we should chat off-line. Feel free to send me an email at malboher@civicventures.org.

Freedman: Just following up on Marci's response about Beacon Hill Villages, one of the most innovative models for helping individuals remain in their neighborhoods as they age. At Civic Ventures we're great admirers of this approach--which enables individuals to live "safe, healthy productive lives in their own homes." Anyone who wants to learn more go to www.beaconhillvillage.org/.

Comment from Henrietta: Thanks Mr. McRae for filling a need. Hopefully your efforts will be replicated across the country. Are you available for speaking engagements?

Pauley: We’ll be happy to pass that request along!

Comment from Men on Mondays: Congratulations to Mr. McRae. Men on Mondays is a black men's online health resource located on Facebook.

Pauley: Men on Mondays, great idea! Glad to give you a shout out here on our webchat. We’ll be sure to pass your info on to Lawrence McRae.

Comment from Amy: Hi, my name is Amy Hanson and I’m the author of the book Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults Over 50. I’ve found that there are many adults within faith communities who are finding their encore, but sometimes it starts with someone else casting a compelling vision that this is something they can indeed do. I agree with Barry, sometimes the ‘new work’ is a career change and other times it is using the resources you have accumulated over your years of working to make a significant impact in your community. What advice do you have on helping adults see that they do indeed have something to offer?

Pauley: Amy, this question also bedevils me -- and I think most of us, frankly. My personal advice is while you do the kind of debriefing process that Marci describes, that you just get something going with an existing organization or church in your community. Sometimes taking an active role is how you discover the particular thing you do well and enjoy doing, and you wouldn’t have known it had you not just plunged in and tried. And if it doesn’t work out, you probably will have learned something to take to your next endeavor.

Alboher: Great question, Amy. One of the best techniques for helping people figure out where their talents lie is to start doing some surveying. It's kind of like the 360-reviews that have become popular at work. Suggest this: convene a small group of people who know you well and poll them about your strengths and talents. You'll be surprised at what you can learn. Here's a blog post with an exercise that can help: http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/a-zagat-style-approach-to-your-career/.

Comment from Elizabeth: Hi Jane, Marc and Marci: saying hi to each of you and letting you know you are being supported out here in web chat land! Very useful information is being shared! Lawrence's segment with Jane on the TODAY Show was outstanding! It shows everyone can make a difference right where they