What’s Next?
"WHAT’S NEXT?"
Have you ever asked yourself “what’s next?” Deciding to use that phrase to people who are ending their current career (retirement) may put a nice twist on the stages of life. People are living longer and may be financially able to retire prior to full retirement age. People may live 25,30,35 or more years past their need to earn money. Because that is our new reality, we need to rethink how we talk about what happens after traditional retirement.
My sabbatical year is officially over. A year ago, I left the world of education after 32 years of being a teacher, a counselor, a coach, and an athletic director. We don’t use the “R-word” in our household, you know, retirement. The reason was that I wasn't retiring; rather, I was taking a break from the only thing I knew for my professional life and exploring what’s next. I think what retirement was for my parents and grandparents means something vastly different to my generation and undoubtedly to those born in the last 30 years. So, maybe the question for people who are closing in on ending career number one is: What’s next? There are so many things that these young "what’s next" people can do: volunteer, have a part-time gig, serve on some type of board. The possibilities are endless.
I recently visited with a teacher of 36 years at the gym where I work out, just last week. He shared that after next year, number 37, he would be retiring. I congratulated him. When I returned home, my wife asked, "What is he doing after next year?" Once again, I knew that I had failed to ask an important question and was stuck in an old way of thinking. He is only 60 and quite possibly will live for another 25+ years. What is next for him? A good thing for me is that we see each other quite often at the gym. The next time we met, I was prepared with the question, "What is next?" He had an answer, and I now felt like I was valuing the person. More importantly, I valued that he was NOT done, just moving onto the next stage of life, a stage that may be less hectic and slower.
I started thinking about what’s next about 18 months ago. I enjoyed my 32 years in schools. However, I knew that I wanted to do something else. I could have spent another 4-5 years as an athletic director and then retired. It would have been the safe play. For once in my life, I decided to go against what I was "supposed to do" and take a chance. People seldom regret the risks they take; they do regret those opportunities they let go by because they took the safe path. This is NOT to say that I am a risk-taker, far from it. However, this time I decided to go with "what’s next." This was a decision that my wife and I discussed many times prior to taking the leap of faith. It was a family decision because it will affect both of us.
I don’t know what the future of my business will be. Surprisingly, that doesn’t freak me out; at least not yet! Maybe I'll stumble upon a secret formula for success and become an influential leader. Maybe I will just influence a few and make my little corner of the world better.
What is your "what’s next?" Maybe it is something that you have always wanted to do but needed to play it safer to provide for your family. That is an admirable choice. But, now you have more choices and desire a new challenge. Something new often energizes us. If you are bored, negative, or often frustrated in your current job/career, it may be time to think about "what’s next." It doesn’t need to be some radical change. Maybe it is something small that will improve your outlook on life.
What is the thrill of retirement? Is it a chance to sit around the house and never have to hear that alarm clock ever again? That has been nice by the way. Is it not having to deal with the unhappy people you encounter at work each day? Have you become that grumpy employee that brings people down? Knowing when you are not at your best and need to move on takes contemplation. Retirement sounds great; I would argue that “what’s next” will be more fulfilling.
We only get so many trips around the sun. I encourage you to look toward future possibilities. What jazzes you? What is your passion? What would you rather be doing for work that would make you happier, even if it pays less? Time is something that we never get back. Each day you are spending down your allotment of this precious resource. So, let's make the most of it and have a blast while we're here!
I am onto my "what’s next" and enjoying the process. My wife told me last night that I just light up when I talk about my conversations with people that I am working with now. How do you put a price on that? For me, this new adventure is exciting and terrifying! Giving up a six-figure salary and taking this chance is a gamble. But hey, it's worth every penny since apparently, I “light up” when I talk about it!