Go Hire a Retiree (for a quick win)

When I retired about 15 months ago, I was 100% ready for retirement. Since retiring, I have spent time working in real estate, taken a lot of education and become a certified home inspector, and improved my photography to the level where I have done a little commercial work and even sold a few photographs at a local market. On the face of it, I have kept my mind and body active and still been able to make the most of my newly found free time. So why am I now not happy with my retirement decision?

Over the last few weeks, I have been approached by a couple of ex-colleagues for a little Product Management advice. Both are fabulous people with wonderful skill sets and are very successful in their own rights, . Wow! How? those conversations changed things for me.

When I stopped work, I was VP Product and Tech. I had a wealth of experience and a solid background in Product Management and leadership and had built dev teams and product teams. Then it all stopped. My ability, knowledge, and experience suddenly lost all relevance and use because I retired.

?A couple of brief conversations have made me realize two things. Firstly I really miss the work that I did and secondly, there are companies that could really use a little help here and there. I am not talking about full-time employment. Not necessarily even contract work. But where is the opportunity for skilled retirees to provide short-term advice and guidance? A week or so here and there, longer if needed, to help solve problems, share their experience, and provide real, cost-effective benefit.?

Obviously, this post/article is personally motivated but I am absolutely certain that I am not unique. So come on, reach out to us oldies. We may just be able to help.