Late Stage Career Options

I was recently discussing options with an executive late in their career stage.?This person was contemplating an opportunity but was struggling with the decision.?The new position was with a smaller company, and so a smaller job.?The position did not pay at the same range but was less demanding and closer to home.?There are always tradeoffs.

This person seemed genuinely interested, and the opportunity seemed like a nice way to sunset their career.?So, what was the hesitation??It was clear to me that the reluctance centered on this person’s perception of success, and how a career move like this fits into that narrative.?I offered a different point of view.

If we observe major league athletes with the most successful long term careers, we can see a broad common pattern.?First, they train and work hard to achieve the highest professional level. They also recognize the apex of this period.?The successful players understand how to create a staged landing from the dizzying heights of success once achieved.?

Think of it like this:?The major league player spends a certain amount of years training and playing in college or minor leagues as they ascend through the ranks. Next is the big leagues.?They spend a certain amount of years as a star athlete.?Those years of peak performance are limited, and the player will need to consider options that will follow.?This pattern exists with every professional career.?What does our star athlete do next? Here are some options:

Play for the love of the game. Some players move back to the minor leagues for a few years.?This move keeps the player in the game, even if it is past their prime.?Sure, the accolades and financial rewards are not as robust, but at this point it can be about love of the game, not fortune and fame.?Likewise, we may elect to move to a smaller firm to sunset our career in a less demanding way.?Our work can have meaning, be less stressful, and more enjoyable.

Go from player to coach.?Some choose to apply their years of training, skill, and experience to elevate the performance of the next class of players.?The coach can maintain quality, influence behaviors, and help others achieve their goals.?You may decide to become a corporate trainer or advisor – a coach, instructor, or teaching adjunct to the up and coming players in your profession.?

Move to the booth, and call the game. There are some who become commentators, using their precise knowledge to bring the audience into the game.?These people speak about performance, technique, common denominators, background and even trivia.?We can elect to become a subject matter expert, and write or speak on the state of the industry.?

If we apply these options to our own career, then a wider scope of opportunities present themselves.?It may help us avoid the trap of expending energy trying to maintain the same level of success, and losing sight of other ways to contribute and earn.?This way of looking at our professional life may not be the ideal path for everyone, but for others it represents a way to have a career with a more interesting arc, and more fulfilling in the end.??

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