We all need meaningful work in retirement. The psychologist Sigmund Freud was asked, late in life, to expound on what he felt were the most important constituents of life. His answer? “Liebe und Arbeit.” Love and work.
For most of human history, the meaning of life and the meaning of work intersected at survival. Life was work so Freud’s answer was hardly a surprise.
With the industrial age and cheaper sources of energy, we imagined vast increases in both productivity and leisure time gained from that productivity. The reality has been much different than what visionaries imagined. We are using the time we gain from increased productivity to work! This is especially true of those of us in the post-war boomer generation who value a high- achieving lifestyle and work ethic.
Yet for many individuals, regardless of generation, meaningful work remains elusive. Few can pinpoint the source of their discontent or what would give their lives—and their work lives in particular—more meaning.
Finding Your Genius
Ultimately, it is not about the work that we do or have done, but it is about whether or not our work is aligned with what Dick Richards calls “your genius.” In his book, Is Your Genius At Work?, he uses this term to identify the unique intersection between what you love to do (your passion) and what you are good at (your gift). Once you have identified both of these, you need to find where your unique gift and passion can solve or serve an unmet need in the world. Meaningful work in retirement then becomes making a living while creating opportunities to meet needs and make a difference with your gift and passion. When your gift and passion are in alignment with a need, work suddenly becomes more like play, especially in retirement. Make this your retirement mindset as you re-career in retirement.
What do you love to do? What gives your life meaning? Let me help you find your genius and find meaningful work in retirement in the process. The years after you retire from your first career are a gift and I want you to be able to make the most of them.