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Over 40? Is your work full of purpose?
By Craig Nathanson
The Vocational Coach™
How do you define your work?
Do you look to your work to define meaning and
joy or just to collect a paycheck? Each carries
a different result.
Those who seek meaning and joy in their work tend
to choose carefully what they do; they
know what they do helps determine who they are.
For others who work just for the money,
there is little expectation of meaning
or joy-just as long as the paycheck rolls in.
Career vs. vocational passion
In my work, I am often asked, "What is the
difference between Career and Vocational
Passion?" Jobs are just an exchange of
services for money. Careers are the same
but with a better title.
Sadly, for many people,
jobs=careers=retirement=death.
Can you avoid death?
Probably not, but you can get more enjoyment and
happiness out of each and every day before you get
there.
Vocational passion means having a life's work that
you can do for your whole lifetime without the
need to ever retire.
Retirement is only for people who don't like what
they do!
Want a quick path to death? Retire and wait.
Sure, there's much to do including travel,
relaxing and visiting friends, but this
doesn't last long.
For most of us, our later years will also
bring tension and anxiety about how to
spend our days and in many cases, how
to make a contribution.
Get going before your crisis hits!
Claire Hegarty of Ireland wanted in mid-life
to pursue her love of animals and start
a pet sitting business.
But it wasn't until she read about someone
who became ill suddenly at the age of 41
and dropped dead in the middle of a stressful
presentation did she decide to take action.
Jennifer Clare of Australia was middle
aged and overweight. She had little
energy and little hope. One day, she
decided to help herself and others
by turning her challenges into a
business that helps other people lose
weight quickly through new creative
strategies.
Are you on a path to just retire, too?
The French word for retire means to
"retreat, take out of circulation, move
away from, withdraw from" and "rest".
Is this what you want for the second half
of your life?
Here's the best way to retire and then die.
- Worry about what others will think if you start
to do what you love
- Look for approval from others
- Be afraid of change
- Wait for a crisis to occur
What happens in mid-life?
We re-evaluate everything from our relationships,
our work, our health, our finances and our
emotional state. We need to recognize that
this is healthy and important to do.
How to gain purpose in your life now!
Realize that what you do determines who you are.
Is your work a reflection of who you are and/or
want to be?
Mid-life is a great time to:
- Align your abilities and your interests
- Reflect deeply about what you are passionate
about
- Ensure your work is maximally expressive of your
passions
- Ensure your work meets your personal needs
- Ensure that the work you do feels just right
for you
Is your purpose worth it to you?
Only you can be the judge.
Mid-life adults with purpose can experience:
- A greater sense of integrity and authenticity
- An experience of being more alive
- An increased feeling of contribution
- Stronger health and psychological well-being
- A life that's more congruent
- An acceptance of your own mortality and as
a result, less fear of death and a greater
sense of your life plans and their meaning
- An increased sense of self-esteem and happiness
Choose a purpose
This is what Claire and Jennifer did and
so can you.
The more important question is
"When will you start?"
Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For
Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and
a coaching expert who works with people
over forty.
Craig's second book, Don't just retire
and die, is due out at the end of 2006.
Craig's systematic approach, the trademark
"Ten P" model,
helps people break free and move toward the
work they love.
Visit Craig's online community at
www.thevocationalcoach.com
where you can sign up for a class or
private coaching, or you can read other
stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig works with clients all over the world.
Craig's office is located at
7960 Brentwood Blvd,
Suite D in Brentwood, Ca.
Craig can be reached at (925) 240-0770
or craig@thevocationalcoach.com
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are owned by Boomers International™.
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