The Wonders Of Hindsight...
Task 10, March 7 to March 14
Two weeks ago Paul graced this Substack with his story about his mid-life career change and the ramifications of his decision. It was our most-viewed post and truly inspirational.
This is part two of his story. Today he passes along the knowledge that his experience engendered.
PAUL:
As every year that passes, I want first and foremost to remind everyone to be thankful for good health, as some, but not all, have this good fortune.
Second, be thankful for family, both immediate or distant, and accept the responsibilities therein. For some it’s taking care of an elderly parent. For others it’s mending fences…
CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, OLD PEOPLE THIS WEEK, ON YOUTUBE, APPLE AND SPOTIFY
My advice:
Do not take a credit card advance. I did it 3 times in the ‘80s and ‘90s and it was silly, and that was before 24% interest charges. Now it’s financial suicide.
Do not tap into your 401k–you're gonna need it after you turn 65. Look beyond your reach.
Do not fail to tap into your familial resources. My airline family, like the old Southwest ad use to say “you’re free to move about the country.” While true, what would you do without a family to provide childcare? Moral support? Lean on those you know. My mother, for example, needed me to care for her as she got older–a responsibility I accepted without reservation.
Do explore. If you can work, work. There are jobs for people of age–good jobs. Jobs with travel, i.e. a government job with the DOD–a courier job–that paid $95k and would send you around the world–or how about being a tour guide with Rick Steves? Or how about a dream job–like being a tour manager? I went to see K.C. and the Sunshine Band last month and truly thought it would be a blast just to tour and laugh every night! I’m serious! I live to laugh! Remember, I joined Southwest 8+ years ago. On the application, under “experience” I wrote “providing customer service to the entertainment industry” just to get through the filters. I still have no idea what I meant by it but hey–I got the job, I regained my balance– and it got me great benefits and flight privileges.
So again–from the perspective of age (I’m 64), from the vantage point of having to reinvent myself, humbled by circumstances but unbowed–the world can still be your oyster, and the opportunities are many if you just open yourself to all there is to avail. You may have loved what you’ve done up until now, but ask yourself “if I were 20 again what would I pursue?”
Look at me…