When I scroll through LinkedIn, I notice a lot of my peers are still fixated on the same goals they’ve had for a few decades: Getting the keynote slot at an industry event, reaching airline status for coveted upgrades, earning that big-title promotion. Many are still marketing themselves hard as industry thought leaders and sage advisors, and otherwise proving their relevance to the corporate machine. That’s all well and good for them, but those same old goals no longer interest me one bit.
Over the years, I’ve noticed how my goals have shifted. What once seemed so important to me is no longer on my list of targets. My old goals have been replaced by new aspirations. This can be a little unsettling at first. It caused me to ask a lot of questions and settle with some new realities: Why don’t I want a promotion? Why did I hand that high-profile marquee project over to the hungry junior associate? Flying is more comfortable in first class, but I really don’t mind an aisle seat in row 14. I really don’t care if I never see the speaker’s lounge at an industry even again.
My Solution
I’ve learned to celebrate different waypoints and achievements, big and small. Some of the things I’ve celebrated lately include:
- Only flying once or twice a year for business, and subsequently losing my airline and hotel status
- More workout clothes than business clothes in my closet
- More time to visit with, care for and cherish my senior parents
- Expanding my egg-laying flock
- Planting just a few more garden plants this year
- Letting go of “stretch goals” at work and just being a normal, solid, reliably creative employee
- Less time working for pay
- A shorter personal to-do list (because I have time to get stuff done for my household)
- Falling soundly to sleep at the same time each night
- Going on five years without attending an industry conference
Key Takeaways
Life really does have its seasons. I believe it’s normal and natural for most professionals in their 50s to shift priorities, deprioritizing work and re-prioritizing relationship with family and friends, fitness and health, and structuring more non-work time into the day. I encourage you to not fight this urge. Don’t flog yourself for unplugging from your professional persona or losing your drive to excel at work. It’s actually healthy for someone north of 50 to do so. It’s a good time to begin stepping into your next phase, trying out your pre-retirement role, and shifting your focus to your next act. I hope that you can back away from career striving find new things to celebrate!
Don’t flog yourself for unplugging from your professional persona or losing your drive to excel at work. It’s actually healthy for someone north of 50 to do so.