Fulfillment After 50

A common thread I found when speaking with co-workers over 50, and within myself, is that after 50 having a fulfilling role is more important than money. Don’t get me wrong, having sufficient funds is a universal need. Once that need is met though, having a role where one can feel that he/she is making a difference seems to become the top driver. There must be a transition in the brain at 50, much like the transition around 25 or so, again at 30, and yet again at 40 that causes (most of) us to change our priorities and the way in which we approach life.

For me, that mental transition occurred at about the same time I moved into a role that turned out to be what I thought it would be, but what I was assured it would not be. It was billed as a chance to lead people again, to work with other areas of the company, to shape new processes across the company, and shape how the new system would function. Most of that didn’t materialize as the areas I led were de-prioritized by people making a lot more money than me. While it was rewarding to work with a solid team from the vendor and to get back to working with other areas of the company again, the support to drive significant results was lacking. Consequently, so was the ability to gain satisfaction.

Then the company launched a new initiative, really a drive to change the culture, and I had the opportunity to be part of it. I was in the early rounds of training and the whole concept resonated with me as a way to shake things up and get real results – to make a difference. Shortly after, I was able to become one of the first set of facilitators to spread this new way of thinking by leading sessions for other areas of the company. It was energizing - I had a purpose - I was making a difference. Going to work felt good again and I was connecting with new people across the company and hearing their success stories as they took the new way of thinking back to their roles. It doesn’t get much better than that.  I was working longer hours, but I didn’t mind because I was making a difference and that made me feel good about myself and my job.

At the same time, I was leading an initiative within our group to streamline our processes to build our capacity to handle new work we knew was coming. Given freedom to formulate the plan, I went for grass roots, recruiting analyst and senior analyst level associates as champions to drive the change effort from the bottom up. Another energizing role to help develop others in the organization while saving time and money. With limited support from above, our little team made huge strides by chipping away at manual processes across the group, many of which were scalable to other areas.

One would think that leading roles in these areas would have garnered positive feedback. One would be wrong. On the first one, I was told to “stay home” and on the second I was dinged for not doing a project of my own – leading the successful initiative was not enough. It was at this point that I resolved to look for a meaningful role within the company and if I did not find one by the time I hit 55 I would retire and find meaning in doing something else. You know how that played out, and I am much happier now.

Lest you think this post is just a way for me to air my frustration, let me assure you it is not. I tell my story because I have heard so many co-workers and friends tell similar stories. Corporations are bending over backwards for millennials and the next generation of employees but seem to regard those over 50 as expendable, or worse, excess baggage. Maybe its pure economics, younger workers are cheaper. Maybe it’s fear of not having bench strength. Whatever it is, it is short-sighted, as those of us over 50 have the experience and knowledge companies need to sustain growth and develop those younger workers.

If you find yourself in a situation like mine, take stock and don’t be afraid to re-invent yourself. If you are blessed with the means to do so, make the transition to a more fulfilling second career doing what inspires you and makes you happy. That may be consulting, or volunteering as I am doing. It could be teaching, or just spending more time with friends and family. No matter what you decide to do, I highly recommend the advice I was given – take a few months to exhale. After 30+ years in corporate America, your brain needs time to adjust. Let it. And you will likely discover opportunities you never thought of.

I will be taking next week off to celebrate Memorial Day. Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Due to the cost to maintain my current WIX site almost doubling, I will be downsizing my plan as of June 1st. I don’t think readers will notice anything different starting with my next post on June 3rd, but wanted to let you know just in case. Stay tuned, and thanks for following my blog!

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com 05-20-2024