2nd & 3rd Act Careers for Empty Nesters

 

So many women and men realize – there is a lot of life to be lived after that last kid leaves for college. They invent products and create companies.  They begin a Second or Third Act Career.

You’ve read their stories.   And, so have I.

We applaud how they branch out into completely new careers or some intriguing entrepreneurial endeavor.

They mortgage their home, cash in their life savings, set up a mini-factory in their garage, and then, some of these people go on ABC’s Shark Tank to pitch the latest, greatest gadget that will make all of our lives better.

My husband and I absolutely love watching Shark Tank.

These inventors and innovators are true American heroes and heroines.

But unfortunately, that ain’t me.

When my younger son graduated in 2012, I began my Encore Career search.  Instantly, I realized that I was no ‘sharkette’ contestant in-the-making.

I completely understood that my favorite four-letter word is: S-A-F-E….Not… R-I-S-K.

But I do have something in common with those fabulous entrepreneurs who pitch their products on Friday nights in front of Mr. Wonderful and Mark Cuban.

I really do.

Guess what it is?

Read on and find out the answer.

____

After searching for more than a year, I finally found a career class down in the city. It was a one-day interactive workshop. At the end of the session, I came to a profound conclusion.

I realized that my 2014 list of dream career options matched my list when I was very, very young.

This exercise taught me that if I am true to my innate abilities and my authentic preferences, I would return to the ideals and aspirations of my childhood.

So, this is the one common trait I share with Shark Tank candidates.   Many contestants disclose that they, too, are following their childhood pursuits and dreams and passions.

Selina Barker said it best.  She is the Content Director of Careershifters.

“…I was among the many who had forgotten what I enjoyed doing in life. It was the wise words of a friend who’d also gone through a career change that got me looking back to my childhood for inspiration.”

____

So here’s my challenge to you. Over the next few days, ask yourself…

What made you happy as a child?

Who did you pretend to be when playing Make-Believe in your room?

How did you answer the proverbial question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” …at age 5? …at age 8?…at age 10?

Simply. What made you smile? What made you excited and enthusiastic? What made your heart full?

_____

Sure, I know this is a very simplistic approach to a very serious topic.

A new career is certainly not solely determined on child’s play. But think of this exercise as a starting point. A beginning baseline to get your mind open and flexible to new possibilities.

And I’ll close with a wonderful quote from Linkedin’s career expert Nicole Williams,

“The dream jobs we aspire to as children are a window into our passions and talents.”

Think about that.

I wish only blessings and good fortune to you in your career search.

_______

Good talking to you this morning.

Note:  In my continuing effort to shorten my daily posts, I decided not to write half of what I originally wanted to….I warned you in my 3rd biographical background post that I suffer from the opposite problem of writer’s block !  Was this truly a 1-cup-of-coffee post?  I think so.  I’m going to get my 2nd cup right now.  Talk tomorrow.