The Purpose Of “Work” In The Second Half Of Life

Real Planning For Real Life.™

Individuals in mid-life and beyond are increasingly viewing retirement not as a time to relax, but as a time to explore their potential.  It was Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, who gave us the term, “self actualization.”  He called it man’s desire for fulfillment, “to become everything that one is capable of becoming.”

For many, the path to self-actualization is through their “work”—which should be defined as the productive activities, paid or unpaid, that gives their lives meaning and a sense of purpose.  Helen Harkness wrote that linking work to the need for meaning has been a natural evolution:

“For the generation following the Depression and World War II, a ‘job—stable lifetime work that pays the bills—was the goal.  Later, the achievers focused on a ‘career’ in a particular profession such as law, banking, medicine, teaching, or management as the means to success.  Today we are adding another dimension: discovering our ‘calling’ or ‘vocation’—work with a deeper purpose or meaning, assuring us that each has something unique to offer.”

This new view of the purpose of “work” is particularly important to the millions of Baby Boomers who are approaching or living in the second half of their lives.  A number of surveys have shown that the majority of Baby Boomers plan to work beyond the time they are eligible to retire.  In Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life, contributing author Ed Speedling wrote:

“Many individuals feel compelled to work for financial or psychological or social reasons, or for all three, yet they want to choose how they work and what they work for.  Instead of liberation from labor entirely, they see an extra measure of freedom—in many cases to swap money for meaning, to do work that they couldnt afford to do earlier but can do now that children have grown and other ambitions have waned.”

Similarly, in her book I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was, Barbara Sher explained that the first step to finding work that “fits” is to understand the connection between doing what we love and doing something worth doing.

She wrote that it is at this intersection that we will find meaning.  In fact, because self- actualization is at the very pinnacle of the hierarchy of needs, Barb Sher reminds us all of how lucky we are to live in a free and prosperous society:  “It is a tribute to the success of our culture that so many of us have the freedom to search for our own life’s work.”

Reprinted by permission of Money Quotient, NP

 

You are Now Leaving Intrinsic – TD Ameritrade

Important Notice

TD Ameritrade

You are now leaving Intrinsic Wealth Counsel, Inc. (“Intrinsic Wealth”) website and will be entering the TD Ameritrade website.


TD Ameritrade is a registered broker-dealer, and is not affiliated with any advisor(s) whose name(s) appear on this website. TD Ameritrade neither endorses nor recommends any particular advisor or investment strategy. TD Ameritrade does not review the Intrinsic Wealth Counsel website, and makes no representation regarding the content of the website. The information contained in the Intrinsic Wealth Counsel website should not be considered to be either a recommendation by TD Ameritrade or a solicitation of any offer to purchase or sell any securities. TD Ameritrade Institutional, Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC/NFA.

I have read the above and wish to exit.
I have read the above and wish to continue.

You are Now Leaving

Important Notice

Charles Schwab & Co.

You are now leaving Intrinsic Wealth Counsel, Inc. (“Intrinsic Wealth”) website and will be entering the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) website.

Schwab is a registered broker-dealer, and is not affiliated with Intrinsic Wealth or any advisor(s) whose name(s) appear(s) on this website. Intrinsic Wealth is independently owned and operated. Schwab neither endorses nor recommends Intrinsic Wealth. Regardless of any referral or recommendation, Schwab does not endorse or recommend the investment strategy of any advisor. Schwab has agreements with Intrinsic Wealth under which Schwab provides Intrinsic Wealth with services related to your account. Schwab does not review Intrinsic Wealth’ website(s), and makes no representation regarding information contained in Intrinsic Wealth’ website, which should not be considered to be either a recommendation by Schwab or a solicitation of any offer to purchase or sell any securities

I have read the above and wish to exit.
I have read the above and wish to continue.

Portal Powered by eMoney

You are now leaving Intrinsic Wealth Counsel’s Website…

The link you have selected is located on another server. Please click on the link below to leave Intrinsic Wealth Counsel’s website and proceed to the selected site. Intrinsic Wealth Counsel does not endorse this web site, its sponsor, or any of the policies, activities, products, or services offered on the site or by any advertiser on the site.

I have read the above and wish to exit.
I have read the above and wish to continue.

Portal Powered by Morningstar

You are now leaving Intrinsic Wealth Counsel’s Website…

The link you have selected is located on another server. Please click on the link below to leave Intrinsic Wealth Counsel’s website and proceed to the selected site. Intrinsic Wealth Counsel does not endorse this web site, its sponsor, or any of the policies, activities, products, or services offered on the site or by any advertiser on the site.

I have read the above and wish to exit.
I have read the above and wish to continue.