On Creating Your Encore Career, I obviously talk a lot about Encore Careers. I teach you how to create your own. I bring on guests who have built Encore Careers (or pursued entrepreneurship in any form) to share their insights with you.
However, I don’t often talk about my motivations for creating my own Encore Career.
So today I want to share five reasons why I chose to launch my Encore Career. These five reasons are what inspired me to refuse to retire and instead start something brand new in my later years.
1. I wanted to have my own business doing something I loved and I wanted to work when and where I wanted.
In the later years of my career, I was stifled in my corporate work. The company was busy developing new talent as the Boomers retired. I didn’t get a job because it was a “developmental” position.
However, I have a growth mindset and wanted to continue growing. Right now, it’s easier than ever to start a business, learn new things, and get help with new technologies. So I decided to start my own business.
2. I love coaching and wanted to continue helping people.
I coached people for over 20 years and it was exciting and fulfilling to see them grow. I had seen coaching help people develop much better than one-and-done classes. Coaching often deals with and helps people create new habits of thinking and action and this is something I didn’t want to give up.
3. I wanted to make some money.
I could make it with my resources but some more money would make things easier and give us more options. Additionally, while volunteer work is valuable, I found that people have to have skin in the game to really develop dramatically.
4. I have a lot of life ahead of me.
I wasn’t interested in playing golf or doing crossword puzzles for decades. Indeed, retirement means “put out of use” and I didn’t want to retire but refire.
5. The world needs talent and I can help companies connect with Silver Talent.
As Boomers, we can help develop new talent. This gives many leaders and experts a purpose in their later years. I don’t want anyone to be in a rocking chair unless they want to.
Even if only 20% of Boomers were interested in being teachers and coaches, that’s a lot of people who can develop new talent. It’s hard for corporate leaders to develop new talent when they are busy executing operations so this is just the place for ”retirees” to step in.
