'Fish Don't Clap' sees large-scale release

“I’ve seen it happen again and again,” comments financial advisor Brad Connors, founder of Waseca’s iWealth. “People retire, and then they don’t know what to do with themselves.

“I want to share the information in this book so it can make people’s lives more purposeful.”

 

Connors is speaking about “Fish Don’t Clap,” a book he authored which tells the story of Hal, a retired public speaker who realizes his plan for retirement–fishing and playing golf–is not giving him any sense of purpose or fulfillment.

 

“As many people think of retiring,” Connors observes, “they concentrate on reaching a certain age or a certain amount of investment income.  They think about what they’re retiring from, rather than what they’re retiring to.

 

“Instead of being relaxed and satisfied, they’re bored or restless.”

 

Connors explains the book walks readers through Hal’s process of discovery as he revisualizes how he will spend his time.

 

“Lots of people feel a real sense of loss when the expertise and experience they’ve been building all their lives is kind of suddenly set aside,” says Connors. “That’s because many people have to be productive to be happy.

 

“For folks like that, working part-time or finding a cause they want to support through volunteerism is a great option.”

 

In some cases, he goes on, the abrupt change in their schedules and habits can take a toll on a couple’s relationship. “The roles and routines they’ve been using for decades are suddenly changed,” he observes. “And they have to transition to whole new ones.”

 

Connors shares that the book was first written several years ago. It’s now been updated based on feedback from readers, and even has a workbook which can be used to accompany it. The new version was certified last week as an Amazon Number 1 best seller. It has been incorporated into a number of university classes at Minnesota State Mankato and Creighton, where Connors says he is greatly pleased to have met with students both in person and virtually.

 

“It’s really fulfilling to act as a mentor to some of these young folks,” he comments. “It means they’re entering the field with a wider perspective about what it means to transition from working full time to building a new ‘normal’ in retirement.” Connors comments that meeting and talking with those just entering the financial planning field helps him remember what it was like as he started his own career more than 30 years ago.

 

“I used to be the young guy in town,” he says lightheartedly. “Now my hair’s going grey and I’m the experienced one. It sure doesn’t feel like 30 years have passed.”

 

Another “update” to the book is that Connors “spent several hours in a sound booth” and recorded an audio version, so now anyone wanting to learn from “Hal’s” experience can choose among printed versions with either hard or soft covers and the “book on tape” option available from numerous online sources.

 

As the rollout continues, Connors suggests anyone wishing to purchase a copy of “Fish Don’t Clap”  can speak with him or his staff by contacting iWealth at 507-835-9111 or stopping by the office at 213 Fifteenth Avenue Northeast in Waseca. A “holiday bundle” is available which includes an autographed copy of the book, the Fish Don't Clap Workbook, a retirement assessment to see if people are on track to live a purposeful retirement; and a 15-minute, one-on-one meeting with Connors to answer any questions. This can be purchased at https://www.fishdontclap.com/book