The Commonwealth Club of California
San Francisco, CA
Jun 24th, 2008

People are living longer and many are rethinking the nature of retirement.

Based on original investigative research, George H. Schofield, PhD, provides tips for negotiating the uncharted territory of extended life, preparation for which can never start too early, he says.

Schofield describes some of the skills necessary to transition from our usual external "identity anchors" to a more self-defined identity after age 50. He defines social networks as being about the quality of connections between people.

George also discusses the importance of quality social networks in later life and ways to strengthen different types of these communal relationships. He explains how with aging come fewer absolutes, so decision-making and selection become more complex and require more self-awareness.

Finally, Schofield maintains that the key to a successful life journey is a combination of skills and agility we can understand now but only truly perfect along the way.
- The Commonwealth Club of California