“Daryl is different. He actually cares about what he does…” so said a very successful friend from college to my wife as he explained why he was counting down the days that he could stop working. By every external measurement, our friend’s work life has been conventionally successful at a scale that is highly rare. But… we are both 56. Even more interesting, he also said he has no idea what he would do if he retired so he probably won’t retire until 65-70. As far as I know, he definitely could retire now at least from a financial perspective. I suppose the combination of status that he has from his job and not knowing what else he would do will keep him working for another 10 years.
Still… weird, right?
He wants to retire because he doesn’t like his work. He can retire financially. But he won’t.
Wouldn’t the better solution be that he finds work that he cares about?
I’m ever mindful about discussing the satisfaction that I derive from my work when I’m with those my age because I know that most do not have anything resembling meaning and purpose in their work. Men – and yes, there were career differences back when I started my career – were directed – explicitly not just implicitly – to go for conventional success, which meant financial success for most. Some were lucky in that what they did for financial success also fit what they enjoyed. For any of those that had soulful stirrings, they eventually longed for something more meaningful. Others were not so lucky. They never really enjoyed their work and never derived meaning and purpose. Their financial success led to the proverbial golden handcuffs.
If you are not yet trapped in a career path that has made leaving too difficult from a practical perspective, then contact us. Your 50 year old self will be happy you did.