Craig Nathanson is the author of "Don't JUST retire and die: A new approach to your life and work after 40" and he is a coaching expert who works with people over forty. Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private coaching over the phone or in Craig’s office, or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal. Craig lives and works in Petaluma, California. His office is located at 921 Transport Way, Suite 3, Petaluma Ca, 94954. You can reach him at 707-775-4020 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.
After 40, this is the most important pursuit in your life
After 40, we start having less tolerance for an empty life. The routine starts to drag on us and we start thinking of what we should do with our life. This is a good thing. The most questioning starts with our work where we spend the most of our time. We admit our work no longer fits us but we feel trapped, trapped by our bills, society and even our loved ones, who feel threatened every time we discuss our unhappiness.
Not mutually exclusive
Having an authentic life AND paying the bills are both possible. This is hard work. However it will provide the greatest leverage in your life. What is an authentic life? It’s a life which is centered around your work. This is work which feels just right and enables your full natural gifts to emerge. This is work which brings joy, happiness and a sense of coherence to your life. It does not come easy. Initially you will learn to live with a lighter backpack.
How to pay the bills and still have an authentic life?
Meet Jill who lives on the east coast. Jill had been divorced almost 5 years and her alimony had just ended. She supported one teenage son at home. She worked in a big city and had a long commute to the bank. She made around $ 75,000 dollars a year. This was barely enough to pay her rent, her son’s activities, and all their bills. She pondered what to do. She was not happy with her life and work. She wanted to be married again and her dream was to work with disabled children. When she was young she had a learning disability and now feels a calling to help other children. Her work at the bank could not be farther from her heart. What should Jill do?
A new plan
After much thought and reflection, Jill had a plan. First, she decided to meet with the administrator of a local school, which provided support for kids with learning disabilities. She figured out that going back to school to get a certificate would be a good idea. And she got a student loan for this. Soon she started a small business as an advocate for parents. For a small fee, she worked out with parents how to help their kids. Even though her parents’ meetings and her school started to take up most of her evenings, she felt increased energy in her life. The first $ 100.00 dollars she made at her new business gave her more happiness than the whole money she ever made at the bank.
Jill decided she would stay at the bank 2 more years and then leave.
Fast forward in Jill’s life
12 months later something magical happened. Jill was already making around 1000 dollars a month on the side helping families while still working at the bank. She was half-way through an early childhood certificate program. Through great referrals and testimonials, Jill was offered a role in a local school district close to what she was doing on her own. The pay was around 40% less than what Jill was making at the bank.
Jill makes many life challenges, pays the bills, and lives an authentic life
Jill and her son moved 45 minutes away from the large city and found a place 50% cheaper.
She told her son he would need a student loan for a less expensive college. She continued her small business and raised her fees 30%. She decided to cash in her small 401K which had only around $ 85,000. Even after paying a penalty and taxes, she had a little buffer which would enable her to last another 1-2 years until she could build up more opportunities.
One year later
Jill has a new degree, a new publication for parents, and a bigger customer base. She works 9 months a year for two school districts. Her overall pay is around 80,000 more than she made at the bank.
Things are tight but she and her son are happy. A few months ago, Jill met a man, a teacher, who appreciates her work. She feels a serious connection and a new hope for the future.
What can we learn from Jill’s story?
When you envision what you want and build a plan with small steps, an authentic life is possible and the bills can be paid. It’s not easy. It takes sacrifice but it’s worth it.
What about you?
Is there a part of your life which needs to work better right now? Is it empty work? A lackluster marriage? Start with a vision of what an authentic life would look like for you. Start with a new purpose about your life. Start with a definition of what is most important to you.
It is possible for you
After 40, it is possible to live a life which feels authentic and pays your bills at the same time.
Be self-confident and take a few risks. Build a strong team around you. Take small steps. You can do this. You deserve this now!
I’ll be cheering you as you go!
Criag Nathanson
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Turning Work Into Vocation
- Taking back America - One Vocation at a time!
- Do You Know? What’s the Difference Between Just a Job and a Vocation?
- Twenty Secrets to Finally Find the Work That's Just Perfect for You!
- How Do you Feel About Yourself?
- Are you living an authentic life?
- Over 40? What is most important to you?
- Over 40? Make your Passions Work for You!
Job Descriptions Are Vital in Resumes
By: Loren Yadeski | 02/01/2010A job description on a resume is a key spot were many job hunters fall short. A job description is not a cut and dry area; it is an important spot on a resume that should be modified to each type of job applied for. To ensure that human resources...
How to be a successful catering manager
By: Danson | 02/01/2010Learn what it takes to be a successful hotel catering manager and climb the corporate ladder.
StudentScholarships.org - What are the Pros and Cons of being a Registered Nurse
By: Drew Backley | 01/01/2010The sacrifice I’m making by choosing to become a Registered Nurse is a great sacrifice for someone in my position. I am a mother of four children that range from ages 14 to 3yrs of age. I also have two step-children that I help to raise. I am always very busy working, cooking, running them to activities, or helping with homework. I enjoy my lifestyle even though it seems hectic to most. I feel productive and I enjoy being a devoted wife and mother.
CardiologyJob Outlook 2010
By: Robert Truog | 01/01/2010Employment of physicians and surgeons is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. As baby boomers age and the need for health care grows the current physician shortage in the US is expected to grow.
How to become a successful hotel sales representative
By: MPenner | 01/01/2010If you want a unique sales job that is not only fun, lucrative, and offers rapid advancement, then you should look at hotel sales. You can become a successful hotel sales representative in a fairly short amount of time. Some people land their first jobs within a month of beginning their new career journey.
Do you want to learn how to cut hair?
By: Paul Ingersole | 01/01/2010In addition to teaching you the various aspects of cutting hair for men, most barber schools offer much more. You should look for a curriculum that discusses customer relations, sanitation, barber shop safety, and small business management in case you decide to open up your own barber shop.
Jobs Classified Online
By: Mamta | 01/01/2010One of the most interesting part of searching jobs at job portals is candidates can search for jobs in any part of the world and apply if a particular country allows foreigners to work there.
How To Increase Your Chance Of Being Hired To Work On A Cruise Ship
By: Lee Brinkman | 01/01/2010If you are actively seeking a job onboard a cruise ship, but are having no luck with being hired, it could be that you’re applying for the wrong position.
The importance of Self-Awareness
By: Craig Nathanson | 14/12/2009 | LeadershipSelf-awareness means knowing one’s self at a deep level. Deep awareness includes understanding ourselves.
Taking back America - One Vocation at a time!
By: Craig Nathanson | 09/12/2009 | CoachingWith this article I am launching a new program called "Taking back America - One vocation at a time". The emphasis on just job creation is short sighted. The smarter approach is to fund people and programs directly to teach people how to have vocation - the work which will last their entire lives.
Greed, Money, And Its Effect On Managing
By: Craig Nathanson | 24/11/2009 | LeadershipThe organizational drive to increase margins, lower costs, improve productivity continues to be the main emphasis in business.
Bad vs. Good people?
By: Craig Nathanson | 16/11/2009 | Human ResourcesIt can be easy as a manager to label people as bad or good performers. This performance labeling tends to be a convenient way to quickly categorize people.
Having Trouble Finding One Job? Get Five Instead Which Is Much Easier And Here's How!
By: Craig Nathanson | 14/11/2009 | CoachingHave multiple streams of income In this economy the idea of having just one job doesn't make sense. First there is much competition for a single job. Second, once committed to just one job, independence and flexibility is taken away.
Management As A System
By: Craig Nathanson | 09/11/2009 | LeadershipA management system also has many processes on multiple levels. They all contribute to the health of the management system.
Having trouble finding one job? Get five instead which is much easier and here’s how!
By: Craig Nathanson | 02/11/2009 | CoachingThe best strategy in this economy especially for those over 40 is to have multiple streams of income. This gives one the best sense of security.
Happiness and work
By: Craig Nathanson | 25/10/2009 | LeadershipIn many ways happiness is very subjective and judged differently by each person. My observation is that people are most happy when they feel in control of their life.