Many retirees taking on second careers

Retirement does not mean what it used to mean. There are certainly people who leave their jobs after many years and retreat to a lake cabin, a warm weather spot or throw themselves into a beloved hobby. Those people deserve their respite, and, for some, it is the perfect prescription for the last phase of their lives.

Factors such as the changing nature of corporations – like those that do not respect long-term employees – the precariousness of pensions, longer life spans and the mobility of our society have also worked to change the profile of the typical retiree. Some of those people (and I am one of them) decided their long-time careers should come to an end, while new work, new challenges and new interests beckon them into something other than a traditional retirement.

I always wince when people ask me how I enjoy retirement. The usual definition does not fit what I’ve done. I sought a “second phase” of my work life and I am completely open to a third phase. I think that approach is becoming far more “normal” than it ever was. I have a close friend who is going to slowly phase out of his consultant’s business so he can write books. Another friend left his long-time job and then spent more than half his time running a nonprofit organization. Still another friend left the corporate world and now teaches and consults. Another left a high-stress job for the ministry.

Retirement doesn’t come close to describing what these people have done. In addition to my term “second phase,” I have heard the terms “second act,” “renewal” and “work rejuvenation” used to describe this phenomenon. Finding a neat and tidy term such as retirement is not the biggest task in understanding and appreciating this new reality. What is important is an understanding of the dynamics that shape a “second act” person.

I think there are four key elements to consider in exploring a new life:

“ Reflection: The pace of most work today is frenetic. People complain they move so fast they seldom have time to reflect on the meaning of it all. I found that time for reflection and assimilation has been the greatest gift of my second phase. It’s not been all peaches-and-cream because many of my reflections revealed mistakes, errors and insufficiencies that are difficult to confront. In the end, the value of putting 30 years of work into perspective is invaluable and fulfilling.

“ Sharing: A natural outgrowth of reflection is a desire to pass along the lessons learned and the perspectives gained from years of both successes and failures. Any wisdom we have gained is hard-earned and it is natural that we want to share it. The second phase brings many a desire to find a balance between “me” and the world.

“ Making a difference: The quest for meaning and purpose does not end the day we leave work. The drive to know that we make a difference remains strong, and without it the mind and soul can atrophy. Every time I am told that a column has connected with a reader or that a seminar was helpful, I am lifted and reinforced in the belief that I affect at least a few people. That is crucial to a second phase.

“ Belonging to something: This one was a surprise for me. While some people are thrilled to be away from the hurly-burly, many people are like me in that they miss being a part of a group of people united to produce a high-quality product or service. I found I missed the camaraderie and that sense of common purpose. I found community was important to me.

Tip for your search: It’s never too early to start dreaming and planning for the second phase. Keep careful tracks of most joyful work moments and make plans for how you could extend that joy into your next phase.

Resource for your search: “Claiming Your Place at the Fire: Living the Second Half of Your Life on Purpose” by Richard Leider and David A. Shapiro (Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc. 2004).