Afraid of the Career Apex? Hell no!

I hear people all the time talking about retirement, how they are going to spend their time traveling or playing golf. One guy I know says he likes to tinker with things. What the hell does that mean? And how could you spend all day, every day, tinkering? I do look forward to having a few projects to finish, though. I have started a wildflower garden that will need attention. I have no idea what I am doing, so my expectations are low, for now.

I sense I will be writing a lot. I may try a book, but I am not sure if I have one in me. There are several places we would like to visit, Europe and then - the Pyramids come to mind. We will likely have a second home somewhere warm, near a beach to visit, as well. I am sure we will plan on spending time down there where a few projects will need attention. This is where we will dream up the next trip to take. China, Australia, or somewhere exotic, we'll see. Travel sounds great if you have the money. There will be enough time. I estimate that everything on my list, including a book, will take about a year. Included are tons of days wasted trying to figure out what to do with all the free time.

So why retire?

It almost seems like retirement is a waste of time. Why flush decades of experience down the drain? Short of health or financial issues, I am not convinced it is something that we have to do. I am certain I am at my professional best right now, at 56 years old. I know what I am good at, what I am not, and where I can help a business. I can still learn new things. I have been writing for two years. I have managed to be a featured author on several national platforms. One is The Huffington Post -- not too shabby. My wife says I am "an accomplished writer." I laughed, because writing is a hobby, a way for me to leave my legacy to those who won't listen to me now. They can check me out when I am gone. Sometimes I am paid for my writing, and I always get a kick out of that. I guess it’s nice to get paid for a hobby.

Here is the point. Don't get married to the idea of retirement. There is plenty of work out there that needs to get done. I once was part of a company that had so many problems I could have worked 24/7/365. If I had, I would have merely made a dent in the list of issues. And that is the problem side of the work equation; the other side is the opportunity. This company didn't have many of those, which is why I decided to leave. There are more of those companies out there, and there always will be. I want to work on things that help grow a business and create jobs and more opportunities. It's a pretty simple cycle. 

I talk to other executives who say we are being replaced by younger, cheaper help from the workforce. I spent real time thinking about this, and it is ridiculous. You can replace me with a younger version of myself, but she won't be me, with all I have learned and accomplished. If a business doesn't need my skills, then it is time to move on. I am certain there is another one that needs something I know how to do. Especially, when I am at my level best.

Compensation is another thing altogether. You should never yield on pay if you are providing value. If you aren't providing quality services to your company, or if the business doesn't need them, that's a different matter. Age and compensation have no correlation in my view. Like age, your pay is a number. So I am for working until you can't -- the instant when Father Time says it is your time to hang it up because you can't perform anymore. You can ease into it by taking less-challenging work at a lower rate. That's ok; you might fill the days with work and projects you're working on at home.

Executives in their 50s and 60s have a real advantage over our younger counterparts. We can teach. We know how to perform tasks and projects, solve issues, and innovate. We know this because we have done those very things many times over an extended period of time. Think that's not worth something to your next employer? I am in career transition right now. I plan on telling my next company that I have been around for 34 years and counting, and I am still learning. I will follow this up with my ability to have a story for most every business situation.

Why?

The reason is that I have been through it before. These stories will be valuable to them and many in their workforce. They will add context to what they are experiencing. And they will help with the most significant element of business: making good decisions.

There is nothing more important than experiences to draw on to help pave the path ahead. Your collective story is the foundation of who you are and what you bring to the table. Keep pushing for more of them, and you will work forever, make money, and have some fun as well.

My Best,