Your Working Life — Midlife and Beyond!
The boomer’s view of work and retirement is completely different from their parent’s. The old get-the-gold-watch and head down to Florida idyll is dead, because of both the changing job market and the new, longer life span. It’s now common to retire early or be forcibly “retired” by a layoff in your 40’s and 50’s. Many of us recoil in horror at the thought of spending 30 or 40 years “retired” without any additional income or working dimension to our lives.
The big choice that you have to make today when considering a second career is really no different than the one you made the first time around. Do you want a job that will give you the most dollars for the hours you put in, or will you insist on doing something that’s rewarding, possibly for less pay? The answer depends on you, on the size of your financial obligations, on the “squeaking room” in your current work situation, and on the degree of frustration and rejection that you’re willing to endure.
Because I work in my own corporate training company out of my home and I have contacts in the publishing field, I had the squeaking room to write my first book and publish it, while still operating my primary business. Since I’m used to representing myself through my business, I was not surprised when some friends were thrilled to support my book promotion effort while others seemed to change the subject ASAP when I mentioned my campaign. “Some will, some won’t, so what?” is the attitude you must take if you’re pursuing a dream or a new business. Entrepreneur magazine is a good resource for evaluating business opportunities.
If you’re dreaming of stepping off–opening an inn, writing a book, becoming a rabbi, operating a dive shop in the Bahamas–be aware that these professions are not an escape. They will require the same professionalism, skills, and time as your current job, seldom provide health insurance, and often require a substantial investment. Sailing the South Seas and hitting the highway sound like fun until you realize that eventually your boat will need repairs and you’ll run out of money to buy gas.
Don’t run out and blow up your life. Try working at an inn for two weeks or spending your vacation writing your book. Moonlight on weekends and volunteer in the new field you’re looking to conquer before you burn all your bridges. Nicholas Lore’s book The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success is great for exploring your options. A special book for artists who want to tap into their creativity is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.
Maybe you just want to trade your hours for the best dollars and benefits you can get. US News and World Report listed the most in-demand jobs in March 2003:
- Specialty nurses and medical technicians,
- Librarians with computer skills,
- School Principals and special ed, bilingual, math, and scienceteachers,
- Slot machine technicians,
- Fitness trainers,
- Network administrators, analysts, internet cops, data-basemanagers, analyst-developers,
- Loan originators and home-loan sales consultants, and
- Financial planners.
In this longevity revolution that we boomers are creating, we’re likely to have a long life with varied working situations. Most people will have at least seven careers in their lifetime, and I see myself building and acquiring skills through my sixties and “sage-ing” and supporting others after that. Care to join me? The alternative stinks.
