Are You Retired Already?

We’ve all heard the expression, “That person has retired in place.” All of us have our own interpretation of this phrase, possibly meaning that this individual is doing no more than necessary to satisfy the job requirements. Or, it could mean that they have lost their creativeness and are resigned that everything will remain as status quo.

The word ‘retirement’ actually comes from the use of Old French around the year 1533. It was first used by military divisions to order the ranks to ‘fall back’; consequently, allowing the senior officers time to rethink a battle strategy and advance at another time. As we use the word retirement today, it is generally accepted that we mean that individuals have reached a sufficient age to leave their professions, or military service, to pursue some of their true passions, favorite hobbies, even travel the world.

In the business world this expression is not the most flattering to hear about others, and especially, if it is directed at you. Often we find that people demonstrate this behavior because they have fallen out of ‘love’ with their current position. This can be due to company mergers, new core values, or a lack of innovative spirit in the workplace.

If you think you may have become ’retired’ pre-maturely, ask yourself:
• In your position what signature gifts do you have to give that no one else could deliver in that same position?
• Is the current environment open enough for you to be innovative, creative without breaking the corporate ‘invisible’ rules?
• Can you recognize the mood that you are in when thinking that you are “retired” in place?
• How can you change your mood so that you arrive to the workplace with more optimism, enthusiasm, hopefulness?
• If a career change has been on your mind, what other fields could you take your talents and skills to that would be more meaningful for you? Would being of community service satisfy that internal calling more rather than your current position?
• What changes do you need to make to your current lifestyle that would allow you to pursue a career change (with a possible relocation), such as a reduced salary to be able to live at the coastlines of Oregon or the Gulf of Mexico?

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Carl G. Jung