Interesting Articles

 

 

Why 50?

Article by Mike Burrows

What makes 50 a pivot point? Why is it that once we have passed that point we are able to add new insights? How can we put that to good use and to our benefit?

 

 

 

 

We have seen recessions before but this one is ‘something else’. We can see a very bleak future - our savings and pensions are at risk and if we lose our jobs, we are likely to spend a lengthy period without work. So what should we do? How do we take control and put our skills and experience to good profitable use. In this note I want to give some practical advice albeit not neat and easily packaged- a bit chaotic in fact.

The first thing is to examine what are the life issues we are going through. Here I think we have to look separately at what happens as we approach 50 and what happens as we approach ‘retirement’. As I approached 50, I found it a very difficult time- it looked as if things were passing me by- kids were leaving home and going their own way -I had peaked in my career and all in all it felt as if I had nothing more to aim or achieve. In contrast as I approached my retirement age it seemed easier. I was very aware that I had a choice between giving up completely and making opportunities to continue doing things that I enjoyed albeit in a different environment. The clue lies in how I felt coming up to retirement rather than how I felt coming up to 50. In one case I looked for opportunities and in the other I could only see the lack of them.
 
So to state the obvious the key is to think positively coming up to 50. We also have a vision for ourselves that we may or may not be able to shape and explain but we will have one. So what do we actually have to do? I do not think there is one answer but what we do know is that for each one of us we have a unique set of skills and experience and we have an idea of what we would like to do. So my suggestion and it really is the obvious one- put together a little plan of action.

Set out what it is you really want- from work, from play and in your personal life. In my late 40’s I went through a programme where I was asked to describe my personal mission statement - I could not do it. Many others on the programme seemed to be able to do this – older colleagues seemed to be able to develop realistic goals but for me it was a blank- I was not in a position to define what I wanted out of my life. I think this can be a common feature of our approach to 50 but give it a go and do not expect the profound; most of us want simple things that make sense to us. The tip I would give you is to ask your close family and friends what they think you really want- I found that they were more attuned to what I want and need than I was. Do not worry if they think your behaviour is odd, they tend to think that anyway.

Next take stock- write down your skills and experience and your attributes – what type of person you are, what strengths you think you have and so on. In doing this, I suggest you look at what youngsters put on their CVs and personal statements at school and you will soon realise that you have many skills and attributes and that your experience is worth capturing simply because you have got the mileage – put simply- experience does matter. One skill you probably have in abundance that youngsters often lack is customer service with good manners- all highly sought after by most organisations. And how often do you think young people at work do not have a proper concept of personal space and respect for others.

So far you have done some reflection and internal thinking, next it is time to do some research. The internet has added a whole new meaning to research for individuals but do not forget the public library. The research is there for you to find out what sort or organisations can help you do what you want with your work and play time. If this does nothing else it opens your mind to the vast number of possibilities that are out there. You may think I am writing this with those who have lost their job in mind- but that is not so- during the 90’s I had a good job when others were losing theirs but I felt trapped and without any choices. This process of preparing your own proposition to yourself- what do I want to do with my life- is valid at any time- especially if you feel trapped. I know I did as I approached 50.

By now you have obtained a lot of data about you and what you want and what you might be able to do.  Be careful at this stage- do not over analyse- if you are like me- I am the most fascinating subject for me! I can spend lots of time on me and bore everyone around me by sharing information about me that they do not want or need to know. Hence that leaves me with my final bit of advice- when you do this prepare a short plan of action and then just ‘go for it’. All you will lose is your discontent. In my next piece I want to share my journey when I ‘retired’ from full time work and I will set out what I want my working life to look like over the next few years as I move through my 60s.