Gen Xers: The Retirement Crisis That’s Keeping You Up at Night Is a Chance to ‘Reset’

And does anyone else doubt the whole concept of, you know, putting yourself out to pasture?

But Gen X is nothing if not adaptable. We were the famously independent kids who had freedom after school; we made the transition from analog to digital with flying colors; and we’re known for being pragmatic, creative, and working hard with little complaint. So maybe we can apply that self-motivation to cultivating a new mindset for our next era of work. It’s time to step away from our laptops and take a moment to consider reconnect the wire our future instead retire not working at all

Restructuring vs. Retirement

Rewirement can be anything you want it to be. It’s about rethinking how your skills and values ​​fit together to create a life of your own based on what (and who) you truly care about. Imagine working with people who share your goals or making progress in an area that’s deeply meaningful to you. Or perhaps it’s about applying your skills in a way that changes how much, when, or where you work.

It’s been two years since I retired as CEO of the operations unit after 32 wonderful years at AT&T. Once a shy, introverted engineer, my career path led me to become the first woman of color to reach the CEO title at the company once known as Ma Bell. During those years, I got married, had two wonderful children, and embarked on a fulfilling career path that took me from the East Coast to Texas with responsibilities spanning the globe.

Since leaving corporate life, I have had to develop my identity and reinvent my purpose. I knew I was too young to retire, so instead I decided to reconnect the wire—a process that involved completely reimagining the next chapter of my life.

As an engineer, I know that the word “retirement” is used to describe a device or service that is no longer supported and headed for a one-way exit. In contrast, rewiring is something I can get excited about. Mechanical or engineering solutions to a problem don’t always involve building something new. They are found by taking apart what already exists, reinforcing the foundation, and reshaping it for a new, stronger, often better purpose.

For me, it was a simple choice: Rewiring my brain—the incentive/reward reflex, the “go big or go home” mentality, the instincts about where my expertise could make an impact—would help me envision a bold new phase in my life.

Before this career change, I made most of my decisions based on a critical demandsuch as providing for my family. Now, in what could be the pinnacle of my working life, I have the opportunity to focus on what I can offer based on what I want What stands out to me is being involved in business transformation, but even more strategic is developing next-generation global leaders across multiple industries and having a broader reach in areas that interest me, like inclusion.

So how is my change going? My book, Leading Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion will be published in September. I write columns for national publications and am a board director at three influential public companies. I speak at various companies and organizations while also teaching at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Retired and bored, I certainly am not!

In fact, I think I might be at the forefront of a trend.

Let’s consider my experience in the context of Pew’s research. found that 19% of adults aged 65 and over are currently employed compared to 11% in 1987. That’s because Americans are healthier and fixed-retirement-age pension plans were largely phased out (before Generation X entered the workforce) and replaced with 401(k)s that let people save (or not!) on their own time.

For many of us, retirement will definitely be delayed If we haven’t saved enough, then maintaining work in these extra innings is an important consideration—less a choice of whether to change, but when and how.

The need for social connection

The truth is, tradition Retirement isn’t always attractive.. America’s Generation X grew up watching their older relatives and neighbors go through the typical career stages: Work full-time, scrimp and save, retire at 64, and then never work again. We saw some retirees enter blissful golden years, and others move into frustrating meaninglessness, divorce, and recession. And this was after losing the best years of their lives to hard work.

The world has changed since we were kids in the 70s and 80s. Working later in life is more available, and our longevity and health are expanding. Working hard at a job until we drop? No thanks. But we often want to keep making an impact. And, let’s face it, if we haven’t saved enough, we’ll need to stay in the game, whether we like it or not.

As one of the first Generation Xers to make the shift, I can tell you the rewards can be huge. Shifting to meaningful work can have huge benefits, especially for our health and well-being.

I believe it’s largely due to connectivity.

Green Zone Author Dan Buettner has studied why people in certain places—Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California—live longer, more fulfilling lives. He found that improved social connections and a sense of community may be the closest thing to a fountain of youth.

Maintaining relationships is probably more important to longevity than endless rounds of golf or trips around the world. Maybe we shouldn’t ask. When we will retire, but How We can develop our professional identity to create impact, strengthen relationships, and maintain purpose.

There are a myriad of reasons that can motivate someone to consider a change. You may no longer agree with the direction and values ​​of a company. Maybe you work in a field that is far from your passion. Maybe you want to expand your influence in a particular sub-field that is important to you; or maybe you want to make a change entirely. You may want a less lucrative job. You may need an antidote to career burnout or simply need to regain control of your schedule.

Whatever the reason, before you restructure, you may have built a foundation of skills that can serve as a springboard for your next chapter. Ask yourself questions like: How/where can I use my strengths for good? How/where can my unique skills and perspectives make a difference? Who are my people and how can I fit in with them?

Dealing with identity issues

Rebuilding has its own challenges. It requires a fundamental shift in your identity because for many of us, our sense of self is tied to our position and title. I like to joke that leaders who are used to being treated like VIPs need to get comfortable with being a PIP (formerly important person) during the transition to rebuilding, where they become a person with purposeful impact.

There are significant improvements that can be achieved by living a structured life.

Consider this: Women live nearly six years longer than men, with “deaths of despair” being one of the

big reason for the difference. As Bronnie Ware wrote in The top five regrets of the dyingNo one wishes on their deathbed that they worked more. They regret not having the courage to be real, working too hard, not expressing their feelings, not staying in touch with friends, and not making room for more fun.

Ultimately, experience has taught me that resetting requires self-examination and openness to serendipity. When I left corporate America, I adopted a policy of taking every call first. It only takes a few minutes to open the door to the unexpected.

Remember, you have earned the right after years of hard work to choose your next path so that your life becomes less transactional, more meaningful, and ultimately happier. What will your next chapter be called? Mine? Rewirement: A Personal Renaissance.

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