I am the first to admit to you that it took me far longer than it should have to see the writing on the wall. After all I spent the first 25 years of my career in sales and sales management positions with three tier one companies with nary a day spent in transition and the confidence that comes with it. The metaphor for my career at that point was one of a a Charging White Steed ... you get the picture. Less than 10 years and six companies later I finally came to the realization that that Charging White Steed was now glue factory bound.
So at 56 I had some tough decisions to make and tougher realities to face.
- My retirement nest egg that was on track 10 years previously had been decimated by the two fisted assault of stock market declines combined with income instability.
- Maintaining my present course was a recipe for frustration, unhappiness and a vastly underfunded retirement.
I recognize that my story is by no means unique The tales of people struggling after losing once stable jobs are all too common. So what is my advice for the legion who find themselves in similar circumstances?
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. -- Anais Nin
It may be time to press the reset button on your career and life. It is what I did and it has been one of the best decisions ever. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
5 Steps to Successfully Press Your Reset Button:
- Change Your Frame of Reference -- It was only after I realized that my financial circumstances might necessitate working beyond 65 that I even contemplated the concept of personal reinvention. My mindset prior to that was all about landing a new job that would hopefully offer the opportunity to bridge the gap to retirement. Contemplating work beyond 65 changed my time horizon from 5 to 10 years to 20-plus years. This for me was a game changer for the better. With the increased time frames it gave me both the time to reimagine my future and the motivation to find something that I was truly passionate about.
Given good health there is no reason why the years between 50 and 80 can't be some of the most productive and happiest of your life. With the benefit of the maturity and wisdom that 50+ years of this life provides it is time to make your next chapter your best chapter. If your present and future view is not of your liking it is time to reimagine it. Be fearless ... it is worth it.
Earlier on Huff/Post50: