My first clue for the need to change came when, on my annual performance review, I couldn’t answer “Where do you see yourself in 3 to 5 years.” Well, I could answer it, but the answer “Not here!” didn’t seem appropriate.
I took some time, got quiet, and looked at my life. I realized I was no longer happy with what I had created. I sat down with my journal had a think about the different parts of my life:
Family – All good there. Great husband, check. Healthy parents (yes, I’m one of the lucky ones), check. Happy kids – at least most of the time, check. Healthy, happy grandbabies, check. Not much wrong in this department.
Health – Reasonably good. Could use some work but no big complaints.
Work – Logic told me that I shouldn’t complain. I worked for a great company with great people. I was told I did a good job and I got to learn new things. From what I read, I was lucky to be a valued employee at my age. The problem? My gut told me I was in the wrong place.
I stewed about this for a few days, trying to figure out what the problem might be. Here are a few of the things I came up with:
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Not being in charge of my schedule and calendar was not working for me. I have family commitments and life commitments that just don’t fit the 9 to 5 corporate world.
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I worked in the IT industry. As much as I love to learn new technologies, I didn’t have the same drive as the “younger folks” to spend my evenings and weekends learning more. Been there, done that. Still doing that, actually – but for me, not “them”.
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The work I was doing was majorly dependent on a strong online connection. There was very little I could do offline. I was stuck at a desk. Albeit a great desk in my home office, but stuck all the same.
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After 20 years working as a Systems Analyst/Programmer, maybe I was done with that, suffering from burn-out. I had no enthusiasm left for work I’d loved for a long time.
So, now what…? Got it! Craft a work-life I love! Work that allows location-independence, and a schedule that works around the rest of my life. Doing meaningful work where I’m learning fun things and using technology that I love. So, here’s my plan…
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Start a blog. This is it!
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Explore online business opportunities. There is a lot – A LOT – of information out there. I’m thinking of creating online courses down the road but I’d better identify a subject first…
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Share what I’m learning with others. There must be people like me out there – nearing retirement-age but not ready to pack it in just yet. Or maybe you do want to pack it in but want something to fill the extra time.
Want to join me on this journey? Together, we might just learn a thing or two!