Among friends the other day, I heard a woman in her 60’s exclaim with fear that she’d encountered three men in their mid-80s who were still working.
“With the economy the way it is,” she wailed, “I’m afraid I’ll be working into my 90’s. It’s a scary thought.”
At least three possible responses: (1) Yeah, if you can find a job. (2) I’d rather die. And (3) Great time to work toward a career you’re passionate about if you’re not already in one.
I pick No. 3. If you’re saying, “Yes, but…,” I don’t mean take your job and shove it. I mean that if you have a dissatisfying job or no job at all, this is the time to explore a career you could feel passionate about into your 90’s.
A couple of guides for the journey : Harriet Klausner’s Write It Down, Make It Happen. And Leo Babauta’s The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and in Life.
I’d love to hear from anyone on this path.
4 Responses
Pat: I’ve decided to hang the shingle. KBH Law Office. A number of things pointed me in this direction but only one of them was that I didnt have a job. In fact, the last two well-paying jobs I had, I actually walked away from on my own free will. I last worked for the Ohio Republican Party on the McCain campaign which was NOT a well-paying job but so educational and fabulous experience. My brother dying a year ago and the presidential campaign have given me perspective I just had to grow into. My passion is the elections side of politics so my focus will be on helping those who need to navigate those waters either with their PAC, at the Ohio Elections Commission, Secretary of State’s office or just managing campaign finances. My first client is actually someone who needs a will, but that’s just to start $$ coming in. I will also do a few other things but hopefully focusing on what I really like will earn me some kind of a living I can take into my 90’s.
Good for you, Kari. There’s something to that old adage, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” So sorry about the loss of your brother. Some of the most spectacular achievements have been generated through personal loss, and I predict the KHB Law Office will be one of those. Enjoy doing what you love!
Hi Pat,
While some hang out the shingle, I decided I wanted it all: money from an actual job and to use my passion to pursue what I really want to do. A recession is a perfect time to start a business and I did it! Check out Scrapbooks That Teach to see how I used my educational background (teacher) to interface with my hobby (scrapbooks). Using a grant, I launched my passion in my classroom and found some interesting results: students who personalize the curriculum are motivated to learn. When students see themselves interacting in a positive manner with the curriculum, then they tend to produce positive results. Big news for school districts stressed out about meeting standards on the high school assessments! Life is good in a recession and I know I am making a difference in kids’ lives which doesn’t depend on a recession after all!
Pat,
As you know, I’m out here pursuing my passion for laughter. My mission statement: To go to those company functions where nobody really wants to be there – and make them glad they came. It sure is exciting to launch your own business, recession or not. You have to be passionate about what you’re doing. Whether you’re working for someone else, or running your own show, we all spend way too many hours “on the job”. If it’s not fun, what’s the point? My favorite company slogan comes from the “Life Is Good” company – “Do what you like. Like what you do.” I can’t say it any better than that.