Career Decades: Why Have Many?

Do you think of your career regarding the decades related to your chronological age? You know, 20's, 30's and on to your what? 60's. How about 70's or 80's? Beyond that? Do you have the nerve to think this way? Should you think of working and being active forever? You know, as long as you can and still be productive. I will bet you Warren Buffet (86) does, Pope Francis (80) too. How about Ruth Bader Ginsberg (84)?

Isn't it about being productive in some way? It sure is.

Over to you if you want to make money, a little or a lot. Let's face it, how productive are people in their 20's? It's a decade where many are still in school. Careers are often getting started. How much can you do when you just entered the workforce?

In my 30's I started to lay the groundwork for my career in marketing and sales. When I was 39, I began working for a company in a job that would turn out to be the best opportunity of my career. Over the following eight years I would perform meaningful work. I learned a ton about business and made a lot of money. After we had sold the company, I took a shot at retirement. I was 48 years old. I spent the next couple of years reading many, many business books and getting smarter. It felt like I was wasting my time though I am at peace with the time off now. I decided I missed working and began interviewing. A lot of what I learned during my shot at retirement I would end up applying at my next opportunity.

So in my early 50's, I landed the biggest job of my career. I became the number two guy in a subsidiary of a software company owned by a large bank. I had well over 100 people reporting to me. It was a great run for over four years before I left for a small company opportunity.

So here I am in my mid 50's, and I'm looking for the next cool thing to do. I know that I am at my absolute best right now. I also know that I will be better a year from now as well as ten years from now, too. I am convinced your talent does not degrade over time. Provided your work requires your mind only and not your ability to perform heavy physical tasks. As long as you're collecting experiences, you're advancing and improving. When you're advancing and improving you can provide value to a business. Many companies need some experienced people. Executives who have tried, failed, learned and tried again have so much to share. I sense my 60's will be similar. And my 70's and on and on.

I have heard some people say that you should retire to make room for the younger generation to move up. Ah, no way. If we are all working and providing value, by definition, we will be doing more good than fewer of us ever could. That way the whole lot of us advances and society benefits.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you want to stuff your toes in the sand and veg out, I am all for it. I happen to enjoy working and interacting with staff and clients. I look back on the places I have worked, and I can see my impact on the business. This is evident at the places I have been since my 40's. I like building things, functions, businesses, and cultures. Why not continue doing that?

I am drawn to the lyrics of the Beatles song Getting Better. "It's getting better all the time." I am too. How about you?

My Best,