Are you going through a midlife crisis? I was.
My favorite childhood knowledge resource, Encyclopedia Britannica, defines it as follows: “The age period that defines middle age is somewhat arbitrary, differing greatly from person to person, it is generally defined as being between the ages of 40 and 60.”
Four years ago, I had the fortunate experience of retiring early in my early 50’s with a pension and medical insurance. My mom said I would be bored. Nope, that was the response in my head. After 3 months of using my season’s pass paddle boarding on Lake Union in Seattle, I was bored out of my mind. Geez, I hate it when she’s right.
According to the Life Insurance and Market Research Association, 69% of Americans retire by age 66. Less than 1% of Americans retire before age 50. Any surprises?
The interests that allowed me to retire early actually plagued me once I did the deed. Intellectual stimulation, hanging out with smart people, and problem-solving. Not really happening post-career exit with SUP (stand up paddleboarding).
Volunteer Midlife Internship
Well, time to give back. First, it was Millionaire Club Charity as a career advocate for homeless men in their life transitions. After 1 year, I realized it wasn’t quite the right fit, so I moved on to Dress for Success, focused on female economic empowerment.
So, guess what? I started a new career milestone as a career consultant for tech executives. Intellectual stimulation? Check. Hanging out with smart people? Check. Problem-solving? Check and check both theirs and mine. Bonus, I still SUP.
My husband is a strong advocate and mentor. He’s the trifecta of emotional support, tech brilliance, and salesmanship, having retired early over 20 years ago. For this mid-life internship of mine, he’s become a “stage manager” of sorts. Over dinner tonight, he suggested I write a book about this exhilarating career therapy experience.
Seriously, Write a Book?
I’ve been collaborating with tech execs for over 3 years. There’s been success stories, failures, and, oops, need a do-over moment. I’ve written over 30 blogs and worked with over 300 executive and volunteer clients. There’s so many lessons.
I have mentors for self-publishing. In the past 2 years, I’ve had an opportunity to review 2 colleagues’ books. Thank you, Kate Dixon, author of Pay Up! and Mark Baggesen, author of Drama-Free Zone and Don’t Work Stupid. Plus, a couple of savvy Brits wrote books — Nigel Dessau, a dear friend in Austin, author of Becoming a 21st Executive, and my virtual LinkedIn connection across the pond John Espirian, author of Content DNA. Hey, support my colleagues and purchase these insightful career books just in time for the holiday season!
Next Internship
New lessons on the horizon. I’m targeting a 2021 release.
So I embark today on this midlife mission. Writing 1 new chapter at a time. Any thoughts out there? I’m a willing sponge, although not the loofah variety.
