Previously in this blog, the topic was about general career planning entitled Draw a Line Through Your Career. This week, the focus will be on two, often ignored, areas of career planning. These areas are the danger zone and for many workers, this is when the party’s over. The illustration used last week looked like the one below.
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35 45 55 65 75 85+
In the illustration above, you’ll notice ages 45 and 55 are bold and the longer life span. The ages between 45 and 55 are a danger zone for both men and women employees. If you’ll remember, there’s a time in a young person’s life when they think the age of 40 is “over the hill.” For some reason, Corporate America has this same attitude about the ages between 45 and 55 for its workers and many are kicked to the curb. Before you begin cursing America for its youthfulistic (is that a word?) view point, this phenomenon cannot be claimed by us alone. Studies show that this is the case in England and the Netherlands as well. So what’s the point?
While planning for your career, it is a good idea to recognize and address this bump in the road on the way to retirement lest it come before its time. Certainly, the years between 45 and 55 are far too young for one to sit on the sidelines and watch the world go by. If this phenomenon befalls you, what will you do for the remaining 30 or so years left to you?
Yes, this is hypothetical, but that is where you must embrace conceptual thinking with a great big bear hug before you wake up finding this phenomenon sitting on your chest, staring you in the face and asking, “Now what?” Think of several scenarios. Would you look for another job? Would you start your own business? Would you retire and move to Tahiti?
Yes, life is full of surprises. However, the surprises don’t have to knock the wind out of your sails. You can smoothly board the next boat in your life, take full command and sail it to the destination of your dreams. Begin now to pursue your dreams. Don’t wait for life to present you with an ultimatum. Here are some ideas to stay ahead of life’s surprise party.
- Don’t let life just happen, you may not be prepared for what it brings
- Take control of your life, career and destiny
- Be a continuous learner. Keep up with trends.
- Know yourself, the good, the bad and the ugly. Delve deep using tools such as assessments or a guide like the Johari Window.
- Challenge your thought processes and the status quo at every turn. Seek better or different way to look at your future
- Take advantage of every strategic opportunity
Some of the ideas above help make you too valuable to layoff. Others on the list help you continually look toward the future both at work and in life.
