Over 40? Quit Your Job - Get a Life: Here's How!
Good; that was the point. No one should have just a job after 40. Before 40, it is necessary to build your ego in the world. It is critical for self-development, self-esteem, and to get a sense of your place in the world. Naturally, it would be perfect to do the work you love before 40, but this is not always possible. Before 40, it makes sense to align your interests and abilities with the work you love. After 40, it is an absolute requirement for an authentic life
First - Quit your jobOf course you will need a plan. Answer these questions to determine if you have a job you should to quit.
Does your present job leave you breathless at the end of the day wanting more?
Do you think about your work all the time?
Do you have trouble telling the difference between work and play while you are at work?
Do you feel like your work uses all of your natural abilities and creativity?
Well, I am sure you know the answer by now. If you loved your work, you probably would not have picked up this article to read in the first place.
Where to start?If you quit your job today, how long could you go without making any money? Over 40, we need more time than money. What other resources could you use now to lengthen the time you could live without a paycheck so that you could focus on finding your life's work - that work that is just right for you? Once you start working at what you love, how much do you need to make? Remember, there is a difference between "need" and "want".
Start with decision, and then take actionFirst, decide today that you will no longer settle for "just a job." You must have vocational passion!
What is the next step you must take, and then the next and the next? Answer the following question:
If I had to decide right now, the perfect work for me - the work I am most passionate about - would be _______ .
Time for new learningFind out who else is doing what you most want to do. Make a plan to contact them, or research how they make a living and what is required. Also, decide for yourself what route you now want to take. Do you want to do this passionate work alone, in partnership with others, or with lots of people?
Find 6 people to support youFind 3 people right now who share these same interests. Connect with them weekly.
Find 2 people who share your interests, and can also be a great referral source for new opportunities.
Find 1 person who can be your mentor. This should be a person who shares your interests, is a great referral source, and most importantly, can coach you and get you to new opportunities.
Sadly, we only had coaches when we were children, and even then only if we did sports. After 40 is when we really them the most!! You might be so lucky as to have your spouse be that coach - that would be so great (but so rare)! Chances are, loved ones will be neutral, or even threatened, when you come home one day and suddenly announce your plan to quit your job and get a life!
This is crazyNo, crazy is working for years and years like a robot to earn an income while you silently die inside. There are so many ways to earn an income. The challenge is making sure - especially after 40 - that you are doing the work you love.
No one else does thisYes, and peer pressure and societal pressure is exactly the reason why most adults over 40 do not change their work. They just wait for retirement with the hope that perhaps then they will finally be able to do more interesting work.
Sadly, this is like playing the lotto - without a plan, you are giving your life up to chance.
What will my life be like in five years if I do change?
Worse, but also a good question; what will my life be like in five years if I don't change?
Look instead for inner support. Have a board meeting with the inner you. Discuss what steps you need to take now for change. Give yourself approval to take some action today.
The rest is historyOnce you start to move towards more pleasure and passion in your work life, your past will turn into wisdom and reconciliation. You are special and unique, and you deserve an authentic life.
I can sense your heart beating faster, your thoughts racing: Good! That was the point of this article!
As always, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines as you go.
Craig Nathanson- The Vocational Coach
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 new E-book, Discover and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help busy adults go insane with their work. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" process,'' helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig's online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson's books and CD's, get some private coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig lives in Fairfax, California. His office is located at 6 School Street, suite 220, Fairfax, Ca 94930. You can reach him at 415-457-0550 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.
Related Tags: coaching, self improvement, career, mid life
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 new E-book, Discover and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help busy adults go insane with their work. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" process,'' helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig's online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson's books and CD's, get some private coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig lives in San Anselmo, California. You can reach him at 415-457-0550 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com
Recent articles in this category:
- Corprate Trainig
In today's rivalry business world, it is very small thing for organizations to provide specialized t - It's All About Determining What Goal To Set
A goal is something you want and desire to achieve. There are two types of goals, namely, short-term - Corporate Training Programs Are Also Organized For Skill Development
Corporate TrainingThis has necessitated the corporate training model where the companies utilize the - Avoid Harm From City Water With A Carbon Water Filter
The side effects of drinking unfiltered water are not good. There are too many contaminates in it an - The Positive Power Of Negativity
A client read my 2009 Prophecy Letter recently and was perplexed by this statement that I'd made in - Your Personal Daily Allowance For Relaxation
Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffe - Life Is About The Decisions And Choices We Make
Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight pa - How Multiple Intelligence Theory Reveals Opportunities For Personal Growth
So, how intelligent are you? If the question makes you a little uneasy, then you are like most peopl - The 3 Hidden Benefits Of Limiting Beliefs
Unless you are extremely advanced in your personal development path, you have some limiting beliefs. - Why Very Smart People May Have Poor Social Skills
Do you ever have trouble making conversation with others even though you consider yourself to be a v
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Perfect as a Rose
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is G - Believe in Me
"Every achiever that I have ever met says, "My life turned around when I began to believe in me." - - Business Coaching Models
Any business is a growing enterprise, which may have internal and external factors hindering its suc - Business Coaching Psychology
It is a discipline that relates to the study and use of psychological tools in the workplace. It is - Evidence Based Business Coaching
The history of coaching in business can be traced back to the 1950-60s, when psychologists documente - Coaching Supervision vs Mentoring
Supervision is not a new concept. The execution method and amount of supervision required varies dep - Model Advice and Glamor Modeling Career Tips: How Do I Get Into Glamour Modeling?
GLAMOR MODELING ADVICE AND MODEL TIPS: HOW CAN I LAUNCH MY GLAMOUR-MODEL CAREER? Aspiring models - Business Coaching Corporate Coaching or Executive Coaching is All About Results
Coaching whether executive, corporate or business has become an ever popular strategy to improve the - Solution Focused Coaching
If you take a quick glance at todays business setting, you would notice the change in managerial tec - Adult ADD - Why Can't Somebody Else Do It?
When you're bored, and you have ADD, you procrastinate about doing boring things and become frustrat