For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!

Q. For my second career, I'd like to know "What to do when you have done a lot and nothing really interests you anymore. The things that interest me are not financially feasible right now, because one of the things I'd like to give up is working!"

A. People often want to stop working when they’ve experienced a series of challenges. You leave one career and begin another. You experience a great burst of energy as your second career takes off. And then your exciting new career goes away. Or you realize your dream was not at all what you anticipated.

1. Don’t think of crashing the career party. Stop pounding on closed doors. Think of creating yourself as a person who will collect all sorts of exciting invitations!

2. Reach out for more opportunities to do what you enjoy. As you become enthused, you’ll generate unexpected connections. And you’ll come across as purposeful and productive.

For example, I began writing book reviews for amazon.com just for my own amusement. At first my reviews seemed to generate only intangible rewards. Then one day the UPS truck delivered a box of best sellers from a major publisher. Now I get books, clients, media interviews, website visitors and more.

3. Find something to enjoy every day, even something as simple as walking the dog (well, that’s not always so simple). Keep remembering what fun feels like.

4. Share your career frustrations only with a paying audience who will keep your questions confidential. People tend to get the most help when they appear to have everything they want. Opening to the wrong person can kill a potentially exciting option.

5. Gain information by expressing lively curiosity. Attend professional meetings, classes, and informal gatherings.

6. Keep moving. It’s tempting to hide when you’re not sure what you want to do, but activity fuels creative problem-solving.

7. Remember that most people don’t follow a linear path as they move to their second (or third or fourth) careers. They take two steps forward and one step back. They zig and they zag. And usually they fall into their next lives – sometimes literally! – and realized they’ve been preparing for this move all along.