Not so long ago, the act of turning in the keys to your company
car or clearing out your desk on retirement day were unmistakable
signs you had come to the end of your useful life. Now, they're
symbols of the new kind of career freedom people over 50 are
experiencing in increasing numbers.
Recent studies show that 1 of every 5 people contemplating
retirement wants to start a business, and these people are
launching businesses directly related to their previous
careers.
According to Paul Edwards, co-author with his wife, Sarah, of
Finding Your Perfect Work, professional
service businesses are among the hottest startup choices for
today's senior entrepreneurs. Among the services most in
demand: anything related to elder-care services, such as
geriatric-care management; professional services like tax
preparation, financial planning and technical communication; and
consulting in virtually every field.
Content Continues Below
"We use a lot of consultants in this country, so using the
skills, talents and capabilities you used in your professional life
in a fresh and original way can be a viable way to forge a
livelihood in retirement," says Edwards.
In fact, the Institute of Management Consultants lists nearly
280 different types of management consultants, so chances are,
whatever your specialty was in corporate America, there's a
pressing need for it today.
Susan Bock, 54, a Huntington Beach, California-based executive
coach, business consultant and motivational speaker, can relate.
She turned a lengthy career as a corporate executive into a
thriving business she now runs from her home, on her own schedule
and at her own pace-which she finds exhilarating. "If you
thrive on unpredictability, challenge and [the opportunity] to find
your own inspiration and creativity, then self-employment is a
great opportunity for you," she says. "However, hope
should not be your only strategy for success. You have to go in
with your eyes wide open."
Doing something you love, rather than doing something merely to
survive, is the key to making a post-retirement career a success.
Edwards refers to the tasks that fire your imagination as
"mental food," because these activities feed you in terms
of personal satisfaction. "I've seen people practically
sprout endorphins sorting paper, because it's what they love to
do," he says. "When you do something you truly love, you
won't even think of it as work anymore-it becomes a
joy."
So how do you find your perfect job? Edwards believes it's
as simple as asking, What do I really want to do? "Too many
people worry about what they could do, what they should do or
what's the best thing for them to do," he says.
"Instead, decide what you want from life and what you want
your life to be about. Think about your destination, then build
your work around what's important to you."
Bock suggests mapping out your career strategy in detail once
you've determined which career path you wish to follow.
"You can't just put a billboard on top of your house that
says 'Hire Me,'" she says. "You need to know what
steps are necessary to reach the goals you've set for yourself,
then follow them as you would a road map."
Eileen Figure Sandlin is an award-winning freelance writer
and author who writes on business topics.