Christina hi. Really interesting and inspiring post. For the past two years we've been working with 'post-corporate' senior execs. Our solution for those who haven't planned well (almost all!) is to provide a safe re-entry 'platform' (it even includes business cards!) where they can figure out who they are, what they want to be and learn new skills for getting along in a world where the corporate identity and safety net is now gone. Frequently, we attract people 6 months to a year after they've left corporate life. Why then? Because that's when the reality of life at without work starts to hit home (literally).

While it's fascinating and uplifting work, the pain we see every day is real. More execs need to do exactly what you're suggesting and start planning ahead of time. If they saw what we see - they would.

Defining who they are post-corporately is the greatest struggle our execs face. There are no silver bullets but we know this - EVERYONE we meet is walking around with a set of skills, knowledge, experience and training that makes them completely unique. Tapping that - and resisting the pressures to 'conform' (old thinking) -  is almost always the key to a new, satisfying life after work.