When are you going to retire? When can you retire? NPR is running a series called Working Late on its Morning Edition program, and today’s profile of 73-year old personal trainer John David offers valuable ideas based on this motivated man’s experience. If you haven’t listened to it, click on this story link and then come back.
The story series is profiling Americans who are working past traditional retirement age. Whether they are doing it because they have to, want to or just because they can, many are working into their 70’s and beyond. Even for those not close to retirement, three points stand out.
First, find work that you really enjoy. David was working in television production when, in his 50’s, he became a personal trainer. As he states in the story, it turned out to be his true calling, something that he will be doing as long as he can and as long as anyone is willing to be trained by him.
Second, he had to take a long, financially challenging route into this later-life career. He couldn’t get a paid position as a trainer in LA, so he started volunteering. That volunteer work gave him the material that he needed to build a résumé that enabled his search after his move to New York. Career changes can often mean one, two, or more steps back to enter that new vocation. He did it. Anyone can.
Finally, we all need a purpose. There is important work to be done that will allow you and me and all of us to do our best. John David found it as a personal trainer. I believe that I have found it in helping clients market themselves for meaningful careers. Have you found yours?
When the time comes to make the retirement decision, will you be able to? If not, will it be because you want to keep working, or because you must just to survive? Start planning and working towards a future that will give you two great choices, not an unpleasant one based on dire circumstances.
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Read more about motivation and purpose here: Would You Sleep with the Elephants? – Quit It! – Do What You Can
For some ideas on volunteering to build your résumé: Catchafire – Unplug.Live. – Volunteer Matching
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Follow “Work” to stay up to date with the latest in career development and management.
Bill Florin is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and Certified Employment Interview Professional and is President of Resu-mazing Services Company in Monroe, Connecticut, USA.
Work: Getting It & Keeping It 
I am a 76-year-old school librarian, and I plan to continue until I am not able to make a robust contribution. The music teacher in my school is over 80, a good role model. Chicken or egg question – does my work keep me young, or do I love it so much because I never grew up?
Or maybe it’s some of both, Lois. Maybe NPR needs to speak to you and your friend next! Thanks for your comment.