Facing another 10 years work or more
Discussion
Hi All
I’m 50 in November and the thought of working for another 10-15 years blows my mind(certainly in the sort of corporate environment I currently find myself in). I’m honestly not sure how I will face it, but I will have to, bills to pay, mortgage might be done in 5 years if things go to plan.
I can’t be the only one thats got to this sort of age and had these thoughts.
Anyone been here, changed careers perhaps, stepped back or something else.
Interested to hear any experiences.
I’m 50 in November and the thought of working for another 10-15 years blows my mind(certainly in the sort of corporate environment I currently find myself in). I’m honestly not sure how I will face it, but I will have to, bills to pay, mortgage might be done in 5 years if things go to plan.
I can’t be the only one thats got to this sort of age and had these thoughts.
Anyone been here, changed careers perhaps, stepped back or something else.
Interested to hear any experiences.
59 here!
Six years ago I was faced with a future similar that you have described with a similar sense of foreboding. I had a minority share in a company that was on its last legs. The primary owner was retiring and I was looking at being subsumed into a larger corporate entity to see out my working years. I decided to take a punt and set up on my own. It was stupidly risky, I couldn't afford it, but I had to try.
It was hands down the best decision I made. Whilst my personal finances have improved a fair bit, that's not the biggest benefit. It has reinvigorated me in terms of self-worth and purpose, things I felt had started to diminish. I like the fact that I am as close to being a master of my own destiny as you can get. It has been and still is scary at times but it's that that keeps you on your toes.
My wife often said I should have done it years ago but I would contest this and say that if I'd done it way back, I probably wouldn't have made it as well as I seem to be doing now.
By the time you're in your 50s, you should be at the top of your game, approaching or at the peak of your career. That should be recognised and rewarded. If that isn't the case from an employed situation, then employing yourself is a great way to capitalise upon the hard-yards you've trodden so far (that's not to say more hard-yards will be needed of course).
Easy to say and type. Not so easy in reality and not always an option for some. But worth exploring the opportunity to do something on your own.
Six years ago I was faced with a future similar that you have described with a similar sense of foreboding. I had a minority share in a company that was on its last legs. The primary owner was retiring and I was looking at being subsumed into a larger corporate entity to see out my working years. I decided to take a punt and set up on my own. It was stupidly risky, I couldn't afford it, but I had to try.
It was hands down the best decision I made. Whilst my personal finances have improved a fair bit, that's not the biggest benefit. It has reinvigorated me in terms of self-worth and purpose, things I felt had started to diminish. I like the fact that I am as close to being a master of my own destiny as you can get. It has been and still is scary at times but it's that that keeps you on your toes.
My wife often said I should have done it years ago but I would contest this and say that if I'd done it way back, I probably wouldn't have made it as well as I seem to be doing now.
By the time you're in your 50s, you should be at the top of your game, approaching or at the peak of your career. That should be recognised and rewarded. If that isn't the case from an employed situation, then employing yourself is a great way to capitalise upon the hard-yards you've trodden so far (that's not to say more hard-yards will be needed of course).
Easy to say and type. Not so easy in reality and not always an option for some. But worth exploring the opportunity to do something on your own.
Self worth and purpose are two things I’m really lacking.
I’m a Head Of, there is no where to be promoted to in the company I’m at - they are struggling too(got complacent) so becoming director isn’t an option and actually I’m not sure I won’t the extra pressure.
I’d love to do something for myself actually it’s always been my dream I just have idea what I’d do. I’m skilled at what I do but the market is saturated in my field and AI is a big threat.
I’m a Head Of, there is no where to be promoted to in the company I’m at - they are struggling too(got complacent) so becoming director isn’t an option and actually I’m not sure I won’t the extra pressure.
I’d love to do something for myself actually it’s always been my dream I just have idea what I’d do. I’m skilled at what I do but the market is saturated in my field and AI is a big threat.
64, starting over again, divorce looming, and actually feel the happiest I have for years.
Working, sometimes 7 days a week, did last week, Holiday tomorrow, second in 7 weeks with new partner.
Looking into leaving the Uk.
Faced with a work till I drop situation, which I am quite happy with, seems sensible to do it somewhere warm, cheaper to live, and not dying on its feet.
Pre break up I did try retirement, look where that got me lol, I honestly couldn't face retirement again, the thought of not working, doing something I enjoy.
I trained as an accountant for 7 years , hated it, so can understand it's different in corporate.
Working, sometimes 7 days a week, did last week, Holiday tomorrow, second in 7 weeks with new partner.
Looking into leaving the Uk.
Faced with a work till I drop situation, which I am quite happy with, seems sensible to do it somewhere warm, cheaper to live, and not dying on its feet.
Pre break up I did try retirement, look where that got me lol, I honestly couldn't face retirement again, the thought of not working, doing something I enjoy.
I trained as an accountant for 7 years , hated it, so can understand it's different in corporate.
OP. I’m 54 in October, so a little older. In recent years I’ve become more invigorated with work and actually don’t want to retire now and have a significantly more frugal lifestyle.
I could realistically retire at 60 and be reasonably alright financially, providing that being a landlord doesn’t become even more burdensome. Moreover, because my Wife an I have saved for our future will we ever get a state pension, like those who’ve never done a days work.
I would like to work 3 days a week from age 60, but would be choosy on who I worked for.
I could realistically retire at 60 and be reasonably alright financially, providing that being a landlord doesn’t become even more burdensome. Moreover, because my Wife an I have saved for our future will we ever get a state pension, like those who’ve never done a days work.
I would like to work 3 days a week from age 60, but would be choosy on who I worked for.
8-P said:
I d love to do something for myself actually it s always been my dream I just have idea what I d do. I m skilled at what I do but the market is saturated in my field and AI is a big threat.
OK - but keep in mind that markets are saturated for a reason; there's business to be had. Think about how many restaurants or estate agents are clustered around one another in many High Streets. And how often a new one springs up. If you do something slightly different and look different, it can sometimes be easier to break into an existing, saturated market by offering something that is either better or cheaper or both.AI may be a threat but only if you allow it to be. Most of the time, Ai is inert. It just exists and needs the intervention of human beings who know what they're doing to optimise its capabilities. Maybe that could be your differentiator; offering expert, Ai based solutions in your field.
56, just taken on a big new role at work.
Prior to this was toying with leaving executive life and moving to a a portfolio of NED roles in two years when youngest leaves school. Given this new role, I plan to push that out by at least three years.
Still planning to be F/T with a portfolio of roles until 70, winding down to a few super-interesting &/or pro-bono roles taking up max 2 days a week by 75 (health permitting)
Prior to this was toying with leaving executive life and moving to a a portfolio of NED roles in two years when youngest leaves school. Given this new role, I plan to push that out by at least three years.
Still planning to be F/T with a portfolio of roles until 70, winding down to a few super-interesting &/or pro-bono roles taking up max 2 days a week by 75 (health permitting)
Not sure if it's a mid life crisis but i read the average 50 year old has 26 years left, the thought of wasting another moment of that getting up and sitting there day after day at a computer screen just running down my life clock fills me with dread.
Doesn't help my function has been absorbed in to the corporate entity so I've gone from being the master of my own domain, in charge of multi million pound budgets for the UK arm to reporting to a team leader in another country telling him what I've done today. FML.
Doesn't help my function has been absorbed in to the corporate entity so I've gone from being the master of my own domain, in charge of multi million pound budgets for the UK arm to reporting to a team leader in another country telling him what I've done today. FML.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff