Re: Should 40- and 50-year Olds Quit Their Job?
What if quitting your job at 50 and taking an unpaid apprenticeship was as standard a milestone as high school graduation or retirement?
It might sound crazy, but hear me out.
We spend our whole lives working to ensure that we can provide a nice life for ourselves and our families. For a very few lucky people, the job that puts food on the table is a dream job. But all too often, we settle for work we’re not thrilled about in a field that doesn’t excite us.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not always feasible to chase dream jobs in our 20s. Setting aside a dream career to focus on building a life is sometimes the most practical thing to do, especially when you have groceries to buy, mortgages to pay, and college funds to build. We’re told that the ends justify the means, even if we have to compromise on our dreams, says Shane Metcalf, Chief Culture Officer at 15Five.
So then what happens when you’re in your 40s or 50s and are financially stable? Most people stay where they are. After all, it’s easy, comfortable, and known. Before you know it, you’ve spent 30+ years in a job that was meant to pay the bills. Now, all your bills are paid but your dream job is still on the backburner.
What if more people quit in their 40s or 50s when they were financially secure enough to do so?
I don’t mean quitting to retire. I mean quitting to gain experience in a field that ignites a fire inside. Sure, it might be an entry-level position––or even unpaid. But it’s more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to find work that’s tied to your values, beliefs, and goals.
When you have the financial and emotional support to choose any career, why wouldn’t you try your hand at a dream job?
“Spend the second half of our lives worrying less about what we do and more about who we become.”― Dale Hanson Bourke, author of Second Calling: Passion and Purpose for the Rest of Your Life