Overcoming Retirement Regrets

A couple of years ago my phone rang. The conversation went something like this:

Bruce, my name is John Doe. I would like to see if you can help me with my career.

I'd be happy to. Tell me about yourself and why you are calling.

Well, I worked for 30 years. I have been married for 35. Six months ago I retired. For the previous 30 years I would spend maybe four hours a weekday conscious with my wife. On weekends, it would be more.

OK. So what's the problem?

Now my wife and I are together all day long. Either I find something to do or she'll kill me or I'll kill her.

In the background I could hear Ms. Doe laughing. I was tempted to point out that if he took the latter course of action the State would provide him with employment, as well as free housing, food and clothes. I chose not to although, when we finally met for our first session, and we hit it off, I shared my thoughts with him. He laughed and warned me not to tell his wife!

In the current issue of Inc. magazine, there is an interesting article, "The Science of Retirement Satisfaction: Tips for How to Really Enjoy Life After Work." The author, Kathy Kristof, notes recent data showing that 28% of retirees say that life is worse for them in retirement as compared to when they were working. Apparently, for these individuals, "life after work involves isolation and a loss of direction."

One solution I would like to propose is something that persons starting their careers, as opposed to ending them, might want to consider.

In my new book, The 21st Century Job Search, I mention the fact that we are now in a gig economy. I note that the problem with working gigs, meaning short-term assignments, is that if you eventually want to get a "job job," employers may not be interested in you because you won't have any experience working at a company - arriving early, leaving late, interacting with colleagues, following someone else's rules, etc.

There is a lot of truth to that and it is something that you need to consider if you want to go the Gig Route for employment. Just for the record, some people make an excellent living working gigs, thank you very much!

In addition to being a primary source of income, it can also be a great way to supplement one's earnings. It could also be the solution to the "isolation - loss of direction" conundrum retirees are facing. It can also be a lot of fun.

As my loyal readers have probably gathered after my having written (not including this one) 221 articles, I enjoy writing. It gives me pleasure and is a good distraction from recruiting and career counseling. A change of pace, even if you like what you are doing, is always a good thing.

So, in addition to everything else, I offer speech writing and proofreading services. I use Fiverr. There are other such services; I chose Fiverr. It costs nothing to register, their take is 20%, and after two weeks you get your money, guaranteed. They market your services. You work as much or as little as you like.

There's an old saying, "I'll sleep when I'm dead." For me it's different, I'll retire when I'm dead. But that's just me. Obviously, the majority of people want to retire. They look forward to it. If they can financially afford it, why not? But to overcome idleness after decades of continuous work, the gig economy may be the solution. I don't recommend it for persons starting their careers, but when their career is over, it could be just what the doctor ordered!

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Bruce Hurwitz, author of the Amazon best seller, The 21st Century Job Search, is an executive recruiter and career counselor. He has helped scores (thousands if you include attendees at his presentations) of people, including veterans, not only change jobs but, on occasion, change careers. Having successfully transitioned from academia to non-profits to the recruiting industry, he has been there and done that! A five-star rated speech writer on Fiverr, he is the host and producer of the live-interview podcast, Bruce Hurwitz Presents.