I was having breakfast with an amazing friend last month. Let’s call her Sarah. Fancy pancakes on a lovely December morning. The food was great and the conversation even better.
As usual, we spent the bulk of our time sharing what was new in our work lives. I told her about a new coaching program I was working on. For retirees who want to work. They don’t want the 9-5 grind. But aren’t sure what to do instead.
Sarah told me that sounded like her aunt and uncle.
A medical doctor and lawyer, they were a few years into their retirement. Healthy and financially secure, they enjoyed golfing and gardening. More time with the grand-kids. Travelling to new places.
They were living the dream.
Just not their dream.
They were bored.
They missed work.
And they aren’t the only ones.
Re-imagine Your Retirement
It’s not only billionaires like Buffet and rock stars like The Boss who are working well into the years formerly known as retirement.
A few years ago Merrill Lynch did a study of 7000 people in the retirement zone. What they found was a little surprising. In the US, we’ve reached a tipping point. More people now plan to work during these years than not. Many have to. Some want to.
As one participant said “Not working: that was for my parents’ generation. I can’t imagine doing nothing for 30 years.”
Sarah’s aunt & uncle are part of that majority. They want to weave work into their “golden years”.
But how?
Career Planning: Retirement Edition
For some, the answer is obvious. A part-time job, a little consulting, or even starting a business.
For others, like Sarah’s aunt and uncle, those options hold no appeal.
They know what they don’t want.
But haven’t a clue how to figure out what they do want.
If you’re in the same situation, here’s are a few steps to get you started:
Find your process: Figuring out what you’d like to do next can feel overwhelming. Work on it a little every day. There’s no rush. Create a routine to make this fun. Curl up in front of a fire in the evening. Wine optional. Get out of the house and explore your city to find the perfect place to work - coffee shops, libraries and more. Meet with a few friends every week to support each other’s efforts. Make it an adventure. Something you look forward to. The joy is in the journey.
Find inspiration: How are others embracing work in retirement? Search on Google. Talk to friends. Get out into the world and see what’s happening. Their stories can guide and inspire your efforts.
Find your problem: Sarah’s aunt worked in our wonky health care system for decades. There is no lack of problems in her industry. Most are exhausting. But a few are compelling. The kind of problems you find yourself thinking about when you wake up in the morning. They get in your brain and won’t let go. Work - at it’s best - is the process of solving these types of problems. Don’t look for a job. Find a compelling problem or two.
Find your people: Now it’s time to start talking to people. Start with people you know. Friends and family. Reconnect with LinkedIn contacts. Go for coffee. If you’re ambitious, reach out to people you don’t know. People working at companies, on solutions that interest and inspire you. Talking to a few new people each week is the goal.
And this is where the magic starts to happen. When you show up in the world with passion and drive, people can’t help but respond. And opportunities begin to appear. You can skip resumes and interview prep. Find your problem, your people. And doors will start to open.
Find your purpose: Older workers may not intentionally pursue a bigger purpose, but they often end up there. The problems they most want to solve contribute to something bigger. Climate change, income inequality, illness.....the list is endless. It’s about more than a job. It’s about making a difference. Creating change. Leaving a legacy.
Conclusion
For those who want to re-imagine their retirement, the process can feel overwhelming. Try these simple steps. Begin an adventure. An adventure that will lead to opportunities to work in new and wonderful ways.
