When a client of mine called it quits from a successful career working for start-up companies in California, he was young enough to keep working, but old enough to realize the cost was too high.
He was stressed out, out of shape, out of the country at times, and plain old tired of the endless hours it takes to get a company off the ground.
But not having something to do every day can be terrifying and not having a steady paycheck even more so. Sometimes it’s hard to say, “enough already, I’m retiring.”
But he did it. He retired.
We talked about part-time work and nothing came of it.
There was a health crisis in the family.
And, after a while, he got a job.
He’s working at a big box retailer putting online orders together to be picked-up later at the store. He’s putting in 40-hours a week and is tracking his steps to see how far he walks each shift.
“E.J.,” he said, “I’m walking 14,000 to 17,000 steps a shift, I’ve lost 10 lbs., and when my shift is over it’s over.”
He’s happy.
He’s replaced walking on a treadmill while watching cable news with a front row seat to the retail/tech revolution and has fun interacting with his co-workers.
Sounds like a nice gig to me.
