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Ten Tips To Success in Your
Post-Retirement Job |
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By Joanne Fritz
If you are working or planning to work full or part-time for
someone else, knowing how to do the job is only part of what
you'll need to make a success of it. Here are some
considerations that might make working for someone else
easier, more productive, and more pleasant.
1. Check your ego at the door. It is quite likely
that your post-retirement work, under other circumstances,
might be considered a step back in terms of a career. You
may be a follower rather than a leader, a "staffer" rather
than management.
If so, get comfortable with the idea before you start.
Otherwise you may resent receiving orders and feel that your
work is "beneath" you. Resentment is the last thing you
need and the last thing your boss wants. Examine your
reasons for working at this point in your life and focus on
your goals.
It is likely you want to earn money to supplement your
retirement income; that you want to stay active because you
get bored just staying home; or that your job is a means to
other things such as a great trip to China next year or
finally getting that RV you want.
Whenever your ego tries to get in your way, refocus on those
goals and try to do your best with grace and good cheer.
2. It is also likely that you will be working with
and for younger people than yourself. There are two ways we
as older folks can look at younger people. We can regard
them as "pups" still wet behind the ears and feel superior
with all our experience and skills. Or, we can do the right
thing and see them as the future flowers in the garden of
life and ourselves as helpful gardeners.
The latter attitude is typical of people who are in the
self-actualization stage of their lives. That's where you
and I should be at this point. Bite your tongue when you
are tempted to give advice; and really bite it hard when you
feel an urge to reminisce about your own life and past.
Remember how bored your were when you were young and your
elders did that?
Instead, be helpful and non-judgmental. Ask how you can
best help and then roll up your sleeves and do what needs to
be done. Those young people will remember you as a great
example when they reach their elder years and they will
appreciate you and feel comfortable with you now. Remember,
you are not here to become chairman of the board. You've
been there....you are at a completely different point in
your journey now. Let the kids learn to run the world.
3. Don't talk about yourself except when asked. Save
your reminiscing for your own age group and show that
picture of your grandchildren only once in a while. The
people you work with are very busy with their own lives and,
indeed, are preoccupied with them. Remember what it was
like to raise children, climb the career ladder, and agonize
over personal relationships? Instead of talking about
yourself, ask others questions about their lives. Be
sympathetic and interested in what your co-workers are all
about.
4. Play up your strengths such as being prompt,
being able to carry out your job with minimal supervision,
your ability to do quality work, your stability and your
wisdom. Offer to go the extra mile. Offer to work on a
holiday so others can be off or help out an overburdened
co-worker. You will find that if you do these things, when
you need something you will have a lot of friends willing to
help out.
5. Do not kvetch about your health problems or those
of your friends or relatives. Again, remember when you were
young and grandma kept talking about her gallbladder
operation? Quietly take care of yourself and save your
complaints until you get home.
6. Step right up when there is an opportunity to
learn about new technology. Many people think older folks
cannot manage all the technological bells and whistles of
our modern world. Prove them wrong by being willing to
learn and use machines from the copy machine to the computer
to that cash register that does everything but brew the
coffee. It will be fun and fulfilling for you and oh so
helpful to your employer.
7. Become friends with other people at work who are
your age....but don't become a clique. Socialize with all
ages. Participate in group rituals such as birthday parties
or baby showers. Take your spouse to office parties and have
a good time. Volunteer to help plan and prepare such events.
8. Don't engage in office politics. Try to get along
with everyone and decline invitations to join a particular
group that may be planning an insurrection. Stay above all
of that and you will be much happier. Again, remember you
don't have to buck for a promotion or worry about aligning
yourself with the wrong faction. You have bigger fish to
fry...like actually going fishing or playing with your
grandchildren, or working on your boat this weekend.
9. Don't grumble,
complain, or act disgusted with your job duties. If you
don't like them, talk to your supervisor about improving
your situation and if that doesn't work, politely quit.
Remember that your goal is to be happy and that this is not
World War III. Your life will not be ruined if you need to
move on.
10. Your gift at this time of life is perspective.
Use it, treasure it, model it for others. Enjoy your work,
your health, your talents and your experience. Play
nice....it will pay off richly.
Joanne Fritz is publisher of
www.notyetretired.com for those who refuse to retire;
and
www.second50years.com helping businesses get their share
of the mature market.
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