High Speed Rail - Greens Party of Canada Supports!

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party announced their support for a high speed rail connection between Calgary and Edmonton. See the video here. Read the article here.

Retirement Readiness

Don't simply retire from something;
have something to retire to.
~Harry Emerson Fosdick

In doing a Google search for “retirement readiness,” the first several pages of results focused on financial readiness. This likely makes sense; in 2009 MacLean’s magazine did a series on Canada’s Retirement Crisis in which they noted that two-thirds of retirees are going to be underfunded and, when surveyed, 18-34 year old workers reported saving less than 10% of their income for retirement. The reality is that financial preparedness is a key component of a long and happy retirement; however, it isn’t the only thing to consider.

There are many other factors that contribute to a happy retirement including taking care of yourself, redefining your identity, and engaging in continuous learning. While it might seem more appropriate to think about retirement as the date is looming, retirement readiness really begins at the start of your career.

Regardless of what career stage you’re at right now, take a moment to consider your retirement; select 2-3 tips from our Prepare for Retirement tip sheet, develop SMART goals for the tips you select, and set some milestone dates to monitor your progress.

Remember retirement readiness is an ongoing process; something to keep in mind throughout your career.

Charest, Vermont governor push for high-speed rail

Mutual enthusiasm over a push for high-speed passenger-rail service linking Montreal, Boston and New York – along with glowing prospects for increased Hydro-Québec power exports to Vermont – dominated a convivial public sit-down between the heads of the Quebec and Vermont governments Friday afternoon. Read more here.

High Speed Rail Course in Mississauga

EPIC (Educational Program Innovations Centre of Mississauga is putting on an excellent course on High Speed Trains May 18-20, 2011. Check out the course agenda here

Balance in Transitional Times

We’ve explored the concept of “Balance” in previous blogs; however, as the struggle for balance seems to be a constant challenge in our chaotic world, it seems important to revisit. Balance is an elusive concept that impacts your ability to function at work and at home. It can be difficult to keep life in balance when you have multiple roles and conflicting priorities in an ever-changing environment. It’s like trying to get your footing when the ground is shaking below you and the finish line is always shifting.

To facilitate balance in transitional times, you may find it helpful to:

• Accept that uncertainty is natural
• Recognize that change is an “event” and transition is a “process”
• Work through the stages of transition
  
  1. Acknowledge and grieve endings
  2. Explore new ways of doing things
  3. Embrace “new beginnings” and opportunities
• Ask for help if you need it

In addition, a shift from thinking of “balance” to “sustainability” may be needed. People often talk about “sustainability” in terms of the environment; however, this same concept can be applied at a personal level. In our 10 Tips to Facilitate Sustainability you’ll learn strategies to facilitate personal sustainability and deal with change including accepting that balance is a myth and exploring how to make continuous adjustments to ensure a sustainable and enjoyable life!

So be sure when you step,
step with care and great tact.
And remember that
Life's a Great Balancing Act.

~ Dr. Seuss

TGV: Sam Hamad rentre de France plus convaincu que jamais

M. Hamad a mis un terme vendredi à une visite de quatre jours en France, au cours de laquelle il a vécu un «cours intensif» sur le sujet, un véritable «crash course», résume-t-il. CYPERPRESSE.CA

Sam Hamad - An Open Window for High Speed Trains Montreal to New York City

Quebec Transport Minister Sam Hamad recently was in Albany to discuss reviving the idea of high speed trains between Montreal and Quebec City. Read the article here.

Mad Fast High Speed Rail Campaign

U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. They have started a pro high speed rail campaign titled, Mad Fast Trains. The video, which is fantastic, has been loaded on our website http://highspeedrail.ca or you can view it on their website and order a bumper sticker http://www.madfasttrains.com

Vancouver Amtrak Cascades - Regional high speed rail funds have arrived

n January of 2010, local rail advocates rejoiced at learning Washington had been awarded $590 million in federal economic stimulus funding for high-speed rail.

However, the money never actually materialized until this week.

A budget showdown 2,800 miles away on Capitol Hill may have played a role in freeing up the dollars that had been held up for more than a year. Read the whole article here:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/02/regional-high-speed-rail-funds-have-arrived/

Fitting Professional Development Into Lives That Are Already Full

It’s widely acknowledged that lifelong learning is important. Many professionals require a specific number of “continuing education units” (CEUs) each year to maintain their certification. With constant changes in the workplace (e.g., new technology, processes, or job responsibilities), training may be necessary just to stay qualified to do your job, even if you’re not striving to get ahead.

However, at the same time that learning demands are on the increase, organizations are striving to do more with less – so it may not be possible to take time away from work to accommodate your learning needs. Learning, then, may encroach on your personal time – which, in turn, may already be full!

Canadian career expert, Barbara Moses, writes about living your life in chapters. So, one approach to professional development is to give it the amount of your life that it’s worth at the moment. Realistically, it may not be the best time to take on a full degree program so sort out the minimum professional development required to keep your career on track.

If you decide that now is the time to more fully engage in learning, consider what other life roles or major tasks you can set aside. Making room for courses may mean temporarily giving up volunteering, or downshifting your career so that less overtime or travel is required. Perhaps it’s help around the house that you’ll need – can you afford to hire a cleaner or cook? Arrange for additional daycare while you’re at school and also while you’re studying? Can you engage other family members in taking on more responsibility? The best juggler in the world can’t keep adding balls to the mix without dropping something!

Life Strategies offers many e-learning opportunities (on our website, click on Our Services / Programs and Courses for a comprehensive list), including some directed studies courses which you can schedule at your convenience. Also, check out our tip sheets on fitting professional development into busy lives and stretching your professional development dollars.