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In your seasoned work life, it becomes even more important to make sound choices. It’s time to bring about the kind of change + the destiny + you’ve worked toward. Whether charting a course to early retirement, holding steady in the job you’re in, or looking to leap to new work, this is a new stage of life and you want to be ready for it. Here’s how to pro-tire:
Dr. Frederic Hudson, an expert in adult development, calls the 50+ years “the pro-tirement years.” This is where retirement shows up in a new way and you discover quality work that rewards you on all fronts. Even those who think they want to retire get easily pulled back into consulting or similar work, because they have the energy and wisdom to continue to give. Work at this time is less about how to prove yourself and get ahead and more about being solidly where and who you are as you make your choices.
Since quality looks different to each of us, you have to be willing to stop, reassess and reprioritize what’s important and consider what changes will offer you that quality of life. This requires a reassessment of four fundamentals of change: Values, Passion, Vision and Purpose.
- Passion is our motivation and Values express our deepest interests. They mark what matters most and the form our achievements will take.
- Vision is how we imagine our future. Our vision draws us toward that desired future, at the same time clarifying and fulfilling our daily visions.
- Purpose is the sum destiny of our choices, where we experience the contentment of daily achievements in whatever form they take, knowing they are all part of our greater contribution in being here.
If you don’t have these fundamentals backing up your choices at this important stage, developing your pro-tirement plan will be unfocused.
You have to do a personal inventory first. This deeper work can be done on your own, but hiring a coach makes sense to guide you through this process. A coach will help you convert your findings to meaningful change. You can also begin by conducting your own 360o and ask those around you to tell you about you. Seek out people you trust, not just those who will tell you what you might want to hear. Ask for honest feedback and you’ll be surprised at their helpful recommendations when they know you are earnestly looking to make positive choices.
Whether you’re planning to stay where you are or leap to new work, become a steward of your career and understand the trends and directions of your industry to stay on the competitive edge. That means invest in continuing education to learn new technological skills. Gain industry certifications, problem-solving skills, value creation and improve interpersonal skills.
If you do want to stay at your job, look and listen for where you’re still being utilized fully and where you’re not. It’s time to reassess your professional and personal development through your pro-tirement plan. Ask yourself questions such as: “What do I really want to be doing?”
“How much of my time is spent doing that or other things?” “What would it take for me to reposition myself so that I can do more of what I’m strong in?”
If you don’t want to change where you are, you may still need to reignite your passion. Ask yourself: “What unlearning and new learning needs to take place to be challenged and valuable in my work?” Then go get it. Don’t just chase any new learning, make sure it’s needed to reignite your passion and will benefit the company.
Moving towards pro-tirement, especially if you’re considering early pro-retirement, means you must have a willingness to spend time now qualifying that vision. You need to forecast your financial status, calculate variable long-term health issues, factor in your family’s needs over time and more. This living-beyond-income state is an important part of your pro-tirement plan. List all the areas that will give you the security you need. You’ll likely need to call in experts, such as financial counselors, to help you develop parts of your plan.
The best place to start if you haven’t done any self-assessment work in the past year or more is in doing that. Decide when you’ll give yourself anywhere from two hours to a weekend for
reflection of the four cornerstones of change: Values, Passion, Vision and Purpose. Decide the changes you’re truly committed to and then ask yourself: “What changes can I begin today?” Then begin them.
Laurie A. Sheppard is a master certified Life Coach and Career Strategist to mid-level professional women and women entrepreneurs who want to make quality career and personal changes.
Ready to change your life? Contact Laurie at info@creatingatwill.com or call her at 310-645-2874. Sign up to receive monthly career tips
© 2006 All Rights Reserved. This article is free to publish in its entirety, with a courtesy email to info@creatingatwill.com
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