08 Mar 2008 11:38:15 | David Richter
Why do you work?
Stop and think about it. Other than the income you derive from
the various tasks and responsibilities you perform on the job,
are there any other reasons you get up every morning before the
birds do, drive your car in rush-hour traffic, get into the
office and go to several meetings throughout the day that have
yet to change life as we know it, and sit at your desk going
through all the things you need to go through that are a part of
what’s been called, work?
You’ve been doing this for a long time. You’ve been putting up
with office politics, with a lot of grief from your supervisors,
peers and direct reports, and then coming home a bit less
energized than when you left twelve hours earlier, only to face
other issues on the home front. Other than the money, what has
been motivating you all these years?
Hopefully, you have been able to derive a measure of
satisfaction from doing those things that have tapped your
creativity and utilized a good percentage of your talents,
capabilities and unique gifts. Hopefully, you have followed your
passion over the years and associated yourself with the types of
jobs and careers for which you have felt a lot of enthusiasm,
and from which you have been able to experience tremendous
fulfillment.
If you are reaching retirement age, it may be time for you to
look at a retirement calculator, assess your finances, and
review all the things that have produced your fulfillment. If
you are financially positioned to retire, should you? It seems
like a silly question, but there’s more to it than meets the
eye. I don’t recommend retirement to anyone.
Retirement implies you are no longer working. You’ve given up
the treadmill described above for a villa somewhere off the
coast of Spain. Sounds great, doesn’t it?! Then why would I not
recommend retirement? The reason is simple: People need to do
creative things. They need to be involved and express their
talents and capabilities to the fullest. It’s not only a way of
feeling useful or deriving an income; it’s more importantly a
requirement for sanity and longevity. Numerous studies
corroborate this.
Does this mean you shouldn’t retire? Do you have to remain on
the treadmill until you die? Not exactly. You can get out of the
"rat race" without retiring. Applying a new dimension to the
word, retire, it no longer implies that you stop working;
rather, you are no longer working for someone else. You can
still have that villa, only now you can also be engaged in
creating and expressing your talents. For many retirees, it
means establishing and marketing their hobbies. For many others,
it’s about starting their own consulting business.
The important thing to consider as you approach retirement age
is that over the years you have brought a lot to the table and
have given of yourself in many, many ways. You can now take
those same talents and begin to look at ways you can continue to
apply them in a self-employed capacity. The rewards will be
great. You’ll be off the treadmill, you’ll stay sane, you’ll
live longer, and that villa off the coast of Spain just got a
new owner, you.
Copyright © 2005 TopDog Group All rights reserved.
About Author :
David Richter is a recognized authority on career coaching. His
extensive knowledge and experience gained from many years in
recruitment, outplacement and career management has allowed
David to formulate powerful strategies anyone can use to secure
interviews and receive offers. David holds Masters in both
Engineering and Counseling Psychology. Visit David's site for
free tips, strategies and other career resources
http://www.procareercoach.com 
