Are You Ready for Act II?

The definition of retirement is outdated. The word retirement used to mean “withdrawal from one’s occupation or from active working life,” but it now has a multitude of meanings, including leaving your current job for entrepreneurship, entering a new phase of life and work, or finding meaning as a volunteer or part-time worker.

Regardless of how you define this term or at what age you begin this new career, you need to ensure that you are ready to leave your current job and start anew.

As workplace learning and performance professionals, your skills and competencies can take you far, long after life in your current job is complete. It won’t be an end of work for you, just a career transition that could include continuing to work in a reduced role,
returning to school for additional training, changing careers, becoming an entrepreneur, volunteering in your community, writing a book, or traveling.

Retirement is a time to be very honest about who you are, what you want to do, and what you do best. If you decide to become a consultant or start a small business, for example, you need to ensure that you are ready to work on your own.