Work on My Own Terms

Here’s an interesting statistic for you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “labor force participation rate” is increasing fastest among the oldest segments of the American population (people 65-74 and 75 plus.) We’re living through ing a dramatic shift in both attitude and behavior in the way we view work and the reasons we work. We’ve discussed some of these reasons in previous posts.

• Numerous industries are facing a massive brain drain as their most experienced people feel the social pressure to walk away after a certain number of birthdays. And until recently, no one has been suggesting otherwise. These businesses depend on retaining more experienced workers. They must figure out a strategy that allows people to work longer, but on their own terms.

• Most people find it difficult to fund a potentially thirty-year retirement based on a forty-year career. Some extra income provides comfort and security. However, if money is no longer the primary factor, that opens up a lot of possibilities for more meaningful work.

• We know that work meets a lot of our deepest needs besides the financial (psychological, social, and intellectual.) These needs don’t go away at a certain age. So the benefit of work needs to outweigh the hassles of your current job if we’re to keep going, at least in the same job.

Let’s acknowledge that some jobs are just miserable. Many still create considerable wear and tear on the body and the psyche. I realize there are people for whom work has been a decades-long endurance race and it’s time to stop. I also know some people are fine with the idea of a twenty–thirty-year stretch of rest and relaxation, at least initially. A Second Rodeo isn’t for everyone. The reality is we all eventually find ways to occupy our time, intentionally or unintentionally. Whether that looks like a second career, life on a sailboat, or watching endless hours of cable news all day long, people will figure out a way to avoid the empty vacuum of too much free time.

Let’s also acknowledge that a lot of people genuinely enjoy their jobs–mostly. But even the best jobs have elements that are annoying or tedious. That’s why they pay us to keep showing up!

In initial interviews with clients, I start by asking people to list the things they don’t want in their Second Rodeo. Some popular recurring themes include…

• “I’ve commuted two to three hours a day my entire career. I’m done.”

• “I never want to be awakened by an alarm again.”

• “I want to get back to (engineering, etc.). I hated management.”

• “No more meetings. I’ve attended my last meaningless marathon meeting.”

• “No more (long string of expletives) corporate politics. I’m (expletive) sick of the (expletive) BS.”

You get the picture! In these scenarios, notice that people don’t mention their actual work. It’s the hassles that come with the situation that they long to erase. It’s worth looking for clues by examining what’s been subtracted or added since the last time you enjoyed your work.

I also hear a lot of qualifications when starting a discussion with a new client. Examples include…

• “I’d like to keep working, but just part-time.”

• “I’d like to stay on if I could work from home.”

• “I’d enjoy taking on interesting projects six months a year, with the freedom to live (someplace else) and (do something else) the rest of the year.”

A lot of what we’re witnessing is a movement toward “I want to keep working, but on my own terms.”

As we watch and see how the landscape of work is permanently reshaped by the work from home mandates of Covid-19, there are glimmers that, at least among knowledge workers, the power is shifting from the corporation to the people. If knowledge is power, we are increasingly empowered to find new ways to work on our own terms.

That said, we also work with those who have already left a job, or are ready to leave their existing career because of all kinds of reasons such as:

• Physical/emotional exhaustion

• Boredom/being under-utilized

• The longing for a change of location

• Desire to pursue a passion with more than part-time energy and interest

• A “now or never” itch to start that business that’s been in the idea incubator for years

• Wanting to invest in others, perhaps in a mentoring, coaching or advisory role

My point is that while your situation may roughly follow these common themes, no one else can define what “working on my own terms” means except you. So let me encourage you to do a little Plus/Delta analysis of your current job.

• What’s working? What brings you satisfaction?

• What’s causing the ‘grind in your gears’?

• Just not feeling it in your current job? Where would you choose to direct your life’s energy, income aside?

• Dust off the old dreams. Which ones bring you the most regret? Is it really too late?

What, exactly, would working on your own terms look like? If you can’t define it, you’re unlikely to stumble your way into it. We’re here, ready to help you dig into the details that lead to a Second Rodeo that creates more significance, and far less hassle!

***

We depend on our readers to help us spread the Second Rodeo vision. If you find this newsletter useful or thought provoking, consider forwarding to a colleague or friend who might benefit from it.

Originally published at https://www.yoursecondrodeo.com/blog