Poor George*’, commented one man. ‘He should be enjoying his retirement years, not working’.
What his friend didn’t realise is that George was ahead of his time.
There’s a trend to create a side hustle, take up part time work, create a profitable hobby or a home based business.
This is likely to continue.
Enjoyment
What George’s friend didn’t recognise, or even appreciate, was how much George enjoyed work, and the camararderie he experienced at work.
George was not working ridiculous hours each week, but felt that he was contributing, had a reason to get up and out and about. He loved his work.
He also enjoyed having a purpose. George was used to having goals and achieving them. (He was also fortunate to be wanted for his skills and experience).
His friend thought that George’s family were behind ‘getting George to go back to work’.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
What his friend didn’t recognise was George’s passion for his work.
George laughed at his friend’s comments: ‘He’s always been like that’.
Different Background
His friend had a different mindset to George about work…..and life.
He had a firmly entrenched view of what ‘everyone’ should be doing at a certain age.
‘Don’t rock the boat’
George’s friend also had an entirely different work background, and all he could see in retirement was ‘relief’.
He also liked to ‘toe the line’. He didn’t like to be, ‘different’.
Your Choice
Remember it’s your ‘retirement’/ encore career If you like to work, why not?
If you want to come out of ‘retirement’, why not?
Run your own race.
Of course, it’s always wise to discuss a return to some form of paid work with your financial advisor, in case there are any impacts on your financial situation.
Ageism Disruptor, Carl Honoré, Says
“When are you planning to retire?”
This is a question you start hearing somewhere in your mid-50s.
But why can’t the world accept that many of us have no desire to hang up our spurs at the traditional retirement age? 🙄
These days, it’s more and more common to carry on working through your 60s, 70s and beyond.
Maybe you …
👉 Need the money
👉 Love what you do
👉 Want to be of service
👉 Simply can’t imagine not working
Whatever the reason, we are now living better for longer than ever before – and that means many of us will want and/or need to work into our later years.
I, for one, can’t imagine putting down the pen on my 65th birthday and never writing another word.’ Carl Honoré
Fortunate George
Many have said that it is not ‘Poor George’, but ‘Fortunate George’ that is able to do what he wants.
*not his real name.
[…] Read about George’s experience here […]