Choosing a new career at 55?
Discussion
Mark300zx said:
Retire in 6 months at 55 with a modest pension, and not sure if I may have to top it up with another career, any suggestions or guidance with regard how to go about choosing the next vocation? That's if there are any jobs left!!!!
Why are you doing it?If it's mainly for money, stick to what you know.
If it's mainly for fun, do what you love.
If you're doing it to keep yourself young, do something that requires learning new techniques, destinations, movements.
I was in a similar situation 6 years ago at 55. Considered taking my pensions and taking life easy. My wife re-calibrated me pretty quickly as I was expecting her to keep working!
As per the previous posters it does come down to why you need to work. If it's the money then absolutely stay with what you're familiar with; in my case it wasn't so I thought about something new that I thought I'd enjoy.
Ended up training to become a driving instructor. After qualifying I kept that going right up until March this year. Thoroughly enjoyed it; learnt new skills and kept in touch with youngsters which I do believe helps to keep you young at heart. Grossed £100K over 50 months or so so not megabucks but it kept me out of mischief. I could have earned a lot more but this is where you need to strike the balance between earning and enjoying life; over the last year I reduced my teaching hours to 4 per day max.
As per the previous posters it does come down to why you need to work. If it's the money then absolutely stay with what you're familiar with; in my case it wasn't so I thought about something new that I thought I'd enjoy.
Ended up training to become a driving instructor. After qualifying I kept that going right up until March this year. Thoroughly enjoyed it; learnt new skills and kept in touch with youngsters which I do believe helps to keep you young at heart. Grossed £100K over 50 months or so so not megabucks but it kept me out of mischief. I could have earned a lot more but this is where you need to strike the balance between earning and enjoying life; over the last year I reduced my teaching hours to 4 per day max.
Thanks for all the thoughts so far, keep them coming!
To give some background divorced, no kids, and after watching a Ted talk about designing my life I have three options work/travel/potter along with a few business ideas I have on the back burner!
Basically the talk took my own blinkers off and realised that none of those ideas is set in stone and I can mix/match/stop/start any of them!
With regard to my financial situation, I have done my man calculations and it appears to work out that essentially I could sit on my behind and do nothing but with no major extravagances either!
The only thing I think has a time constraint is travel, my body has a bit of collateral damage and if I was to do travel that required physical exertion then I would be better off doing them now!
To give some background divorced, no kids, and after watching a Ted talk about designing my life I have three options work/travel/potter along with a few business ideas I have on the back burner!
Basically the talk took my own blinkers off and realised that none of those ideas is set in stone and I can mix/match/stop/start any of them!
With regard to my financial situation, I have done my man calculations and it appears to work out that essentially I could sit on my behind and do nothing but with no major extravagances either!
The only thing I think has a time constraint is travel, my body has a bit of collateral damage and if I was to do travel that required physical exertion then I would be better off doing them now!
Mark300zx said:
Thanks for all the thoughts so far, keep them coming!
To give some background divorced, no kids, and after watching a Ted talk about designing my life I have three options work/travel/potter along with a few business ideas I have on the back burner!
Basically the talk took my own blinkers off and realised that none of those ideas is set in stone and I can mix/match/stop/start any of them!
With regard to my financial situation, I have done my man calculations and it appears to work out that essentially I could sit on my behind and do nothing but with no major extravagances either!
The only thing I think has a time constraint is travel, my body has a bit of collateral damage and if I was to do travel that required physical exertion then I would be better off doing them now!
Sounds good - do you have a link to the Ted Talk please?To give some background divorced, no kids, and after watching a Ted talk about designing my life I have three options work/travel/potter along with a few business ideas I have on the back burner!
Basically the talk took my own blinkers off and realised that none of those ideas is set in stone and I can mix/match/stop/start any of them!
With regard to my financial situation, I have done my man calculations and it appears to work out that essentially I could sit on my behind and do nothing but with no major extravagances either!
The only thing I think has a time constraint is travel, my body has a bit of collateral damage and if I was to do travel that required physical exertion then I would be better off doing them now!
megaphone said:
Sounds like a gym membership would do you good and give you something to focus on.
You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Interests are gym, cars and just studying to complete a Padi course, leaving the fire brigade!You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Hi Mark. Firstly, thanks for serving!
I would look at the Ikigai model if you don't need to do something crazy as a proper career to earn as much money as you possibly can. You will now have time to consider what you want to do.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23...
Happy to have a chat over the phone some time to chew over ideas?
I would look at the Ikigai model if you don't need to do something crazy as a proper career to earn as much money as you possibly can. You will now have time to consider what you want to do.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23...
Happy to have a chat over the phone some time to chew over ideas?
Mark300zx said:
megaphone said:
Sounds like a gym membership would do you good and give you something to focus on.
You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Interests are gym, cars and just studying to complete a Padi course, leaving the fire brigade!You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Mark300zx said:
megaphone said:
Sounds like a gym membership would do you good and give you something to focus on.
You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Interests are gym, cars and just studying to complete a Padi course, leaving the fire brigade!You still haven't said what your hobbies and interests are. Maybe there is a way to pursue them and make money? What industry are you coming out of?
Hoofy said:
Hi Mark. Firstly, thanks for serving!
I would look at the Ikigai model if you don't need to do something crazy as a proper career to earn as much money as you possibly can. You will now have time to consider what you want to do.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23...
Happy to have a chat over the phone some time to chew over ideas?
Thanks that is the perfect venn diagram for my position, I may well give you a call!I would look at the Ikigai model if you don't need to do something crazy as a proper career to earn as much money as you possibly can. You will now have time to consider what you want to do.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23...
Happy to have a chat over the phone some time to chew over ideas?
You mention you are completing a PADI course, not sure where you are at with that but have you considered moving up through the courses to a point where you can teach others to do the same?
I knew a guy who was in the Police who did that and eventually left the Police to be a Diver trainer, I did a couple of PADI courses with him but I didn't pursue it to anything near the same level.
I knew a guy who was in the Police who did that and eventually left the Police to be a Diver trainer, I did a couple of PADI courses with him but I didn't pursue it to anything near the same level.
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