The #1 Reason To Work Past Your Number

What’s your number?? If you’ve done even the most basic financial planning, you’ve got a number–the amount of savings needed to retire.

For many people, that number represents the finish line and the primary motivation for working.? And once that line is crossed, retirement quickly follows.

However, not everyone stops working once they’ve attained financial security.? When I talk to people in this situation, I like to ask what motivates them to continue.?

Often the answer is they still love the action and the sense of purpose they derive from work.? C-level executives enjoy the power and prestige that comes with their rarefied positions.? Successful entrepreneurs don’t want to let go of the business they’ve spent decades building or may find new energy working with their adult children who they hope will succeed them one day.

Recently I was talking to a friend who is in his sixties with plenty of money and accolades. He was excitedly describing a number of potential new opportunities, all meaty, C-level full-time roles involving a ton of responsibility, work and travel.? When I asked him why he keeps chasing these types of gigs, he said something unexpected.

“I want to be a good role model for my adult children.? It’s important that they understand the value of work itself, especially now that I can afford not to do it.? I want them to see that I didn’t work this hard just so I could make enough money to sit on the beach and play 200 rounds of golf a year.”

This resonated with me on a number of levels.? Starting with the second part of his statement, I am a big believer that work, the use of one’s talents, skills and strengths to create value, is an essential element of a productive, well-lived life.? No doubt we work to get paid, but work is not solely about the money.?

And to be clear, work just doesn’t take place in an office, factory, construction site or a field.? Raising a child or caring for an elderly parent is work.? Volunteering at your local community center or food bank is work.? No matter what form it takes, the point is that we are made, in part, to work.

I certainly understand anyone’s desire to live a life of leisure after decades busting their ass to make a living.? Work is an essential part of life but at the same time there’s much more to life than work.? Everyone fortunate enough to get to their number and retire has earned the right to use the time as they see fit.

Having said that, my mindset is: If you still have the energy and enthusiasm, why not continue to work?? There’s a reason those people who enjoy the longest, happiest and healthiest lives typically never dedicate 100% of their time to leisure.? They get up every day with a purpose and are engaged in some form of useful work.? Setting goals, continually learning, keeping the mind active and utilizing our talents, skills and strengths, even as they diminish with age, are so important to staying healthy.

But the first part of what he said, about being a role model to his adult children, is what really struck me.?

It’s a big adjustment for any parent when their kids grow up and move out.? When the nest is full, parenting is a 24/7, full contact sport.? Kids are sponges when they’re young. They are around all the time, watching and soaking in their parent’s behavior.? It’s why we do our best to set a good example.?

One of the gratifying – not to mention humbling and terrifying – parts of watching your kids bloom into adulthood (that’s our crew pictured above) is seeing how much they truly absorbed from you over the years, but that’s a topic for another day.

My friend reminded me that the watching and learning doesn’t stop when they’re adults.? Sometimes that may manifest itself in deciding to do things differently.? My own kids have told me several times that they never want to commute like I did.? (More power to them, I would never wish that on anyone).?

I’ve thought about this in the context of my experiences with my parents.? Sadly, I lost my father when I was twenty-five, so I never really had the chance to share adulthood with him.? Anyone who knows me well understands how much his professional experiences influenced me growing up. ?At the same time, I’ve been blessed to see my mom work professionally into her eighties and continue to this day to volunteer so much of her time towards worthy causes.

The ultimate lesson is that parents never stop being role models.? While our adult kids may not ask for or think they need our advice, they continue to pay attention to us, often in unexpected ways.? As long as we live, we have an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of our adult kids through our example.? At the end of the day, that’s much more powerful motivation to work than any number could ever be.

Peak Years is a blog by Fred Bucher about growing older and getting better in our careers. You can subscribe now at https://fredbucher.com

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