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“It’s not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours.” — Sam Ewing, former American baseball player
“I’m not afraid of hard work. I like it! It’s the other bit — the not working — I find more problematic. If I’m not busy, I just get antsy. I’ve been this way since I was a child. Sitting still is like torture for me.” — Pixie Lott, English singer-songwriter and actress
“I don’t pity any man who does hard work worth doing. I admire him. I pity the creature who does not work, at whichever end of the social scale he may regard himself as being.” — Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US president
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Quitting Your Job
If you are still actively working at a job or profession, you have not experienced the joy of not having to go to work every day. Most people look forward to the day when they no longer have to work full-time.
The ability to quit your job doesn’t mean you should stop working. An old axiom states: “Quit your job, but never quit working!”
This statement seems paradoxical. What does “quit your job, but not work,” mean?
Quitting a job where you receive compensation doesn’t mean that you should sit at home doing nothing. Quitting a job that provides income doesn’t mean you should stop working.
Anyone who has worked for many years will face a certain amount of apprehension when that work ceases. What happens when there are no more paychecks? Where will the money come from to pay for daily living expenses? How will I fill the 24 hours of each day? What will I do when faced with a blank calendar?
The “Blank Calendar” syndrome (my term) occurs when a person who has been working for 20 to 40 years retires and is faced with no scheduled daily activities. When working, most days are filled with work-related activities, preparing for work, preparing for the next day’s work, or completing work-related assignments after the workday finishes. What happens when a work calendar is no longer full? Blank Calendar syndrome can be scary and apprehensive.
But, because someone quits their job, should they quit working when that job is over? Should someone quit work after they quit their job?
Some people will be happy to sit at home and do very little. The vast majority of workers left with no meaningful activities will quickly become depressed.
It is well-established that people who retire from an active job are happier when having something to do, or some form of work. You may want to call this work your “purpose” in retirement. Whether it is something meaningful, something beneficial, or something to fill your calendar, the result is a feeling of happiness and contentment.
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What are Some of These Senses That May be Helpful After Quitting Work?
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Sense of Purpose
There is a certain sense of well-being generated by doing something worthwhile. Another way to categorize this feeling would be to say someone has a sense of purpose. Much information has been published about having a sense of purpose in Retirement. The immense volume of written and spoken media seems to have created a “Purpose” crisis among retirees, who feel they must find their Holy Grail of purpose once retired.
Must every retiree climb Mount Everest to be fulfilled? I certainly hope not because I have no desire to summit Mount Everest! But I do want to have something meaningful to do every day.
What is my daily “purpose”?
On any given day, my purpose may be to do something significant, whether working on a blog or podcast, or my purpose may be something as simple as helping to care for my grandchildren. In my mind, both are equally significant and create a sense of well-being.
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Sense of Accomplishment
Quitting work does not mean that you quit accomplishing things. A recently published book spoke about “Big P” purpose and “ Little P” purpose. A “big P” purpose might be writing a book or committing to volunteer several days each week. A “little P” purpose, maybe re-organizing your workspace or pulling weeds in your garden. Both activities provide a sense of accomplishment, and both are important. I feel it’s OK for someone to forego having a “Big P” purpose if they have several ”Little P” purposes. The scope of work does not determine the sense of accomplishment derived. Small activities can still generate a high degree of accomplishment and happiness.
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Sense of Relevance
I related in a previous blog that I continue to work as a Dental Contractor. I continue working to keep my Dental license active, and continuing to work part-time in my chosen profession provides a feeling of relevance.
Retirees with whom I’ve consulted state that once they leave full-time work they realize a feeling of self-worth diminishing, and they no longer matter in the eyes of their former coworkers.
It’s not imperative to continue working at the same job or profession on a part-time basis. Skills one learns and refines over many years can apply to many situations, and because someone quits working at one job or profession doesn’t mean their skillset is no longer relevant.
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Sense of Independence
Quitting full-time work opens the doors of independence from a schedule and having to work every day. As a contract dental provider, I set my schedule and work as desired. Everyone who quits working full-time or quits working altogether experiences this same feeling of freedom and independence. But this newfound independence can be scary and exciting at the same time. It is exciting because of the shackles of working every day breaking, but scary because every day is a blank schedule that needs filling with some level of activity.
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Sense of Hope
A sense of hope is more touchy-feely and is similar to having a sense of relevance. A sense of hope is the feeling things will be better tomorrow, and something positive will occur. Continuing to work, whether in the same profession, through volunteering, or by working part-time in another job or industry, usually provides a sense of well-being and the feeling that positive things are happening.
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Sense of Confidence
The blog titled “Disappearing” in Retirement spoke about older people not being acknowledged and seeming to “disappear.” In addition to a sense of relevance and purpose, continuing to work provides a sense of confidence. These appear as Confidence in the ability to do meaningful work and confidence in one’s ability to complete the project. One of the worst things that can happen to a retiree is the loss of confidence in one’s abilities. Can I still do this particular project successfully and competently? Do my skills remain at a high level? Have I lost it? Do I still have confidence in my abilities?
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Sense of Continuity
Continuing to work provides a sense of continuity. In my particular situation, I went from full-time work to part-time work. Over the last 11 years, I have worked less as I continue on a gradual glide path to full retirement. The continuation of meaningful work creates continuity from full-time work to full-time Retirement. Some workers no longer want to work in any form once they retire. That’s OK!
Continuing to work fills the space between full-time work and full-time Retirement! Having the bridge between full-time work and full-time retirement provides a sense of fulfillment and continuity. Continuing to work part-time eased the emotional and financial transition that occurs when moving from full-time work to Retirement.
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Sense of Giving Back
Continuing to work, either part-time in your same profession, volunteering in a different capacity, or working part-time in a different setting, can provide a sense of giving back.
Workers usually acquire skills and knowledge over their working career. In some cases, these skills are non-transferable, but in most cases, skills and knowledge can be transferred or taught to younger and less skilled workers.
Many years ago, I was saddened when my father passed away suddenly. With his passing came the realization that all the skill and knowledge obtained over his working career was lost when he died.
By continuing to work as a contract dental provider, I “give back” by instructing younger dentists and staff and transferring some of the knowledge gained over 46 years as a dental professional.
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Sense of Belonging
One of the biggest problems noted in retirement literature is the sense of isolation retirees experience after leaving work. Some retirees feel their knowledge, opinions, and skills are no longer valued or needed. Workers who move from a position of prominence to a fully retired status may feel no one calls or values their opinion anymore. These retirees are most likely to experience this feeling of isolation and lack of self-worth. Creating a sense of belonging, or “finding your People” is an excellent way to combat isolation. Becoming part of a group or organization with shared interests means being with people who enjoy things you enjoy. This commonality creates a sense of belonging and the desire to do more things you enjoy doing with people of similar interests. The list of groups and organizations that fit this description is almost endless. Book Clubs, Pickleball leagues, Chess Clubs, Hunting Clubs, Health Clubs, Scrapbook groups, knitting groups, Bible Study groups, etc., provide groups with similar interests and foster a sense of belonging.
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Sense of Learning
Over the last eleven years, I have discontinued certain dental services. I have discontinued these procedures because they don’t fit my current scope of practice.
So, do I need to learn about these parts of dentistry? I continue to learn about all areas of dentistry because having a general knowledge of dentistry enhances my ability to provide care within my particular scope of practice.
Providing contract dental services has necessitated that I learn a new set of skills. I provide care in unfamiliar settings with different equipment, supplies, and staff. I use the example of “cooking in someone else’s kitchen” to explain this phenomenon. Even though someone is an accomplished cook, using different pots, pans, utensils, brands of foods, and kitchen equipment requires learning to accommodate in different environments. I have done this in nineteen practices over the last eleven years. Now, I am more proficient in accommodating to new practices and environments.
In addition to remaining familiar with all areas of dentistry, over the last eleven years I have learned a new skillset which helps when acclimating to different practices.
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Final Thoughts
After one’s lifetime job is over, is it OK to quit working? I think humans need to be productive.
Once someone’s job is over, one can still be productive doing some work. Whether that work is for play or Pay will be determined individually. In either case, working is productive.
I spoke about 10 ways continuing to work after quitting your job can be productive.
Is it necessary to continue working after quitting your job? No, it is not. Happiness is independent of work, but continuing to work can reproduce the sense of purpose, fulfillment, and relevance lost when a person quits their job.
Continuing to work as a dentist and retirement coach has been beneficial for me and has increased my level of happiness.
This blog is not a blanket statement. Each person will decide what works best for their situation.
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