Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Finding Work That Matters In the Second Half Of Life

Of older more mature workers, Marc Freedman says, “Many (people) are seeking new purpose and greater flexibility in the next phase of their working lives, while desiring to use the skills they have acquired over many decades. Why not consider helping them transition into the nonprofit sector, through inventing not only new pathways but also new flexible management roles? The result might be not only more fulfilled workers but also a social sector that’s far more effective.”

Mark is offering a timely and inspiring suggestion for social reform with “Encore.” He wants us to see we have a chance to get work “right, in a way most people don’t have a chance to in midlife.” This new way of looking at the later years of our lives offers us a chance to give back. A chance to move on to work that allows us to feel rewarded and satisfied. Work that will help to correct the threat of a collapsing social system (including Social Security,) while enlisting the population to revive their dreams. Marc asks us to open our eyes and realize that freedom 55 was a marketing ploy that comes with a hefty emotional and financial price tag that the following 30-40 years of boredom creates. Freedman calls us to consider that this may be the perfect time to offer our collective experience and effect change toward a better world.

Marc takes us through a history lesson showing how we got to this place. He looks at successes for social systems and older contributors in other countries. This book profiles inspiring Americans following their hearts and making change happen, and Freedman offers insights into what we as individuals, the corporate, and government sectors can do to effect positive change.

From my own perspective I have known many retirees, even some in their eighties, that are itching for a more meaningful existence. I often suggest volunteering, and just as often meet with resistance. Why? It seems to be status quo. Eighty year olds are just as afraid of ridicule and unaware of what their options are, or how much their contributions are needed, as everyone else.

Marc says 60 is not the new 40, 60 is the new 60. Marc Freedman, “-in the end, the real force driving people to find meaningful work is not economic or social, but personal. It’s the inner voice calling for something as simple as a change of pace, as ambitious as changing the world, as profound as reclaiming a dream deferred before it is denied.”

This is a motivating and inspiring book. It offers wonderful, challenging, options for ourselves and hope for the world we will leave our children.