“I am over 60, am I too old for a new career?”
We are living in an era of ageing populations worldwide. As a result, many people are working well beyond age 60 or 65. The reasons for this vary: for some, financial considerations may make traditional retirement prohibitive; others feel freer and more creative in later stages of life and want to purposefully design and pursue new careers that reflect their accumulated experience and skills; still others want to emphasize contribution and are looking to engage with specific interests or issues that align with their values; and often the reasons to continue working are a unique mix of all of these.
Are you too old? No, especially if curiosity, energy, and motivation are present. Is ageism a reality? In some sectors, it certainly persists, but it isn’t universal across all professional fields. The world of work is changing – profoundly – and with change and accompanying uncertainty, we should always exercise our observational and reflective skills to analyze and bring perspective to what is happening around us, how we are internalizing, reacting to, or pushing back against the changes and uncertainty we are experiencing and living through. We also need to be observant and bring a creative eye to where new needs and opportunities are emerging, for they always are.
Consider the following questions:
- What does work or career mean to you at this stage of your life?
- What draws you to continue working or to pursue or design something completely new?
- How do you want to work at this stage of your life?
- Where do you feel particularly challenged? Where do you feel freer or more creative?
- What issues or interests are you drawn to at this stage of your life, and why? In the world and in your community, why?
- What knowledge, perspectives, expertise, talents, developed skills and even wisdom do you want to contribute or express at this stage of your life?
- Given your cumulative experiences, imagine a role for yourself. What would it be? Who or what would it serve? What would your responsibilities be?
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