Life after the 9-5?
It’s a year in coming and finally it’s time to find out: What’s next after a successful career?!
I’m over the moon excited to have lead a one-day, in-person workshop for Leadership Greater Washington (LGW): Realize Your Post-Career Life https://lgwdc.org/realize-your-post-career-life
If you’re interested, I’d like to share with you what a big deal this is – partly, selfishly, because I hope you will join us. AND, just as important, so you will share this opportunity with someone in your life who could use the camaraderie, support, and tools.
YES, I’d like to read more: Here’s what’s behind this for me: 10 years ago I was “retired” from my hot-shot corporate role. I woke up the following Monday morning and had to confront some big questions about myself: 1) Who am I now? 2) Who are my people now? 3) How will I spend my time now?
Besides parlaying that into several interesting roles – yes, I did sell Carol Burnett 3 jackets at the clothing boutique I worked at for a year, thank you! -- finding those answers took me on a journey that’s led me to today, and my passion for helping similar others.
You may be wondering: “Hey, Emily! Thanks for sharing about your life and doing that vulnerability thing. But. Really. What’s the big deal for everybody else?”
Here’s what I’ve learned…
Accustomed to leading organizations and others in a meaningful way, late-career leaders can find planning for ‘what’s next for me?’ to be a daunting task. Sure, we’re okay paying financial planners to help chart our financial future, but we too often ignore the emotional uncertainty that can come with preparing for this big next chapter in our life.
Fear of the unknown, worries about aging, and so many factors come into play. Sometimes there’s that writing on the wall and we feel pressured to retire – even as we know we still have so much more to give. Cultural ageism can undermine our self-confidence and belief in our value. Feeling uneasy about this transition – even fearing it more than death (yes, there’s a study) – can lead to denial and isolation at a time when we most need others’ support.
There’s a better path forward!