A Retirement Alternative: Re-Careering
Retirement is hardly a simple black and white issue, i.e. you’re either working or you’re retired. There are infinite shades of gray on the work-retirement spectrum. In this newsletter, I want to discuss a trend that has gathered a lot of attention over the past 10 years. The subject is re-careering and, as I define it, money is not the primary motivator.
What Is Re-Careering?
Re-careering is a term used for those who change careers. This change can occur in mid-life or even post-retirement for any number of reasons. You may retire and then decide to try a new work experience different from what you did in your previous career. This new endeavor might be less stressful or it might be more exciting!
Some people re-career because they were laid off or they are unhappy in their current job. They might have lost their interest and passion for their work and are considering other opportunities. Others might not be able to keep up with the physical demands of their lifelong occupation or they may simply be looking for a lifestyle change.
Many of our generation have the opportunity to retire early, some as early as their mid-50s. They don’t want to stop working, but they want to pursue their lifelong dream of starting a business, teaching children, or working for a nonprofit organization. I have a good friend who left his high-salaried sales position to become a high school teacher and has never been happier.
You may not have enough money to retire completely but still want to leave your fast-paced, high-pressured job for health and/or personal reasons. However, many of you don’t need to make the same salary in order to maintain your current lifestyle. Instead, you can choose a career that fulfills you in ways that your current work no longer does. Some boomers even use the re-career process to ease into retirement. This might involve a full-time or part-time position using some of their current skills in a completely different venue.
Questions To Explore If You Are Planning To Re-Career
If your retirement includes an interest in re-careering because you want to continue working, you might want to explore these important questions.
1. Why do you want to re-career? What problem will it solve in your current life stage?
2. What characteristics of re-careering are most important to you i.e. different people or target market, shorter hours, different industry, higher pay scale, shorter commute, desire to learn new skills, seasonal schedule, part-time vs. full-time work?
3. What new skills might you need to learn or refresh in order to pursue re-careering?
4. What hobbies or activities do you already enjoy that could be turned into another career?
5. How will this re-career endeavor bring purpose to your life?
6. What skills do you have and love to use that seem beyond other people’s capabilities?
7. Are you willing to spend the time and money to re-career?
8. What kind of work or situation do you never want to experience again?
9. Are you volunteering now in an area that could turn into a re-career possibility?
10. Are you interested in directing your re-careering energy into social and community issues related to literacy, healthcare, poverty, homelessness, hunger, the environment, etc.? If so, have you considered becoming a social-preneur?
11. Do you have any physical limitations or healthcare coverage concerns that will be affected by re-careering?
12. Will you need to get a certification or take additional training i.e. transitioning from being a teacher to becoming a paralegal?
13. How could this re-career endeavor become a part of your legacy for your children and grandchildren?
Stay Focused On Your Goal
As you consider the questions above, stay focused on what’s important in your life going forward. Take the Values Assessment at www.whatsnext.com to guide you towards clarity about what’s most important to you. Make sure your choices are in alignment with your skills, interests, energy, etc.
Remember that whatever you choose to do beyond your traditional working years should satisfy needs in your life that are not being met now by your current career or lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with working in your retirement years as long as you are feeling fulfilled, believe you are making a difference in the world, and you’re taking care of your health. One of my favorite quotes regarding retirement and work is:
“There is life after work and work after retirement.
You get to choose.”
— Dee Cascio
Work-Life balance is a lifelong goal! However, as you pursue this goal, make sure you are also nurturing the relationships in your life that are important to you.
The bottom line is that traditional retirement isn’t your only option. Think outside the box and consider how you could re-career. Go forward and pursue your dreams as you make the very best of the rest of your life.
Dee
Dee Cascio
Author, speaker, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach, Retirement Lifestyle/ReCareer Coach, and Life and Work Transitions Strategies Coach.
The Life and Work Transitions Community
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