Career development - Sharing expertise and finding joy

This is the final article in this series, one that explores what options are available as you reach the end of your expected working life. I use the term expected purposely as I am currently in this phase myself I am experiencing huge variations from others on what they expect I should be doing in this phase of my life. These expectations are informed by what they themselves want to be or find themselves doing. From talking with friends, family and my clients below are the wide variety of options available in this phase based on different thinking patterns, emotional components, responsibilities for others, financial situations, and personal values.

Different options and thinking patterns

Finish work as soon as possible

I am looking forward to retirement and I can afford to do so at the earliest opportunity. In my experience, this happens anytime from fifty-five onwards. Some people stop working completely, take on part-time jobs, set themselves up as self-employed or do volunteer work. Some people love it while others struggle.

Must stay working but do not want to

This is a challenging situation and can last a long time awaiting a time the person can afford to retire or the work situation changes, and they need to find another role.

I still want to work but not as hard

If this is you, then being creative is the path forward looking at reduced working patterns or role changes. Often the individual must drive this change and negotiate or move to accommodate this desire.

I want to work but I want to do something different

Now is the chance to either do the thing you have always wanted to do or begin exploring wide and discover what lights you up. Talking to others who have used this phase of their careers to have a complete change can often be inspiring and open possibilities you may not have thought of

I am going to continue working right up until my old age pension kicks in (different depending on date of birth)

This is the traditional model, and it will be the right path for some people. From the client work I have done in this area, I would suggest you plan for what you are going to do post-retirement in the final year. It can be a fun project and aid the change process.

Impulse decision handed my notice in! Now what?

This happens! And a different twist on this is that you can suddenly find yourself redundant. Clients and friends in this situation have benefited from a period of reflection and delayed knee-jerk decision-making if the financial situation allows. Which of these different scenarios suits you best now?

No plans to retire, I love what I do

There is no decision to be made if in this camp as long as you remain current, employable, manage energy levels, and are well-networked especially if self-employed. I am personally in this camp and feel grateful I have created a situation where I am able to continue doing what I love.

Retirement scares me, what would I do?

I have heard this phrase from a few people over the years and I can relate. Work is part of our persona and can define us so this feeling and thinking makes sense. Work for many people occupies and massive part of our lives and is also part of our identity. The work in this situation is creating a meaningful and enjoyable life in the future that includes other things which are equally important to you.

There are even more scenarios you can think of in addition to the ones above but what I hope it illustrates is that there are many paths for you to choose from and this is in fact a complicated stage of the career journey for some people. Like the earlier stages, the work is identifying which option suits you best and if it does not work out it is never too late to change.

To conclude here are some real-life examples of what people in this phase of their career have chosen to do.

Person A (61 years old) 

Sold their small lifestyle business, became a personal trainer, and now runs four classes a week locally, in addition, works part-time for a funeral business and has taken up a seasonal job at a mince pie packing factory. All these occupations are flexible allowing travel time with his wife.

Person B (60 years old) 

Still works as a fundraising consultant, has qualified as a celebrant for weddings, has taken up golf as a hobby and twice a year takes herself away to a European destination for a remote working and recharge sabbatical.

Person C (59 years old)

Taken on first employed job for 40 years as maintenance manager for a hospitality company having given up years of self-employed building.

All of these people illustrate to me that practically there are numerous opportunities available at this later stage of anyone's career journey

What path suits you best?