Encore Careers: Balancing Work and Life After 60

Many seniors are now choosing to continue working after retirement for a wide variety of reasons. However, encore careers often present seniors with a unique set of challenges when it comes to balancing work and life. Of course, finding a healthy balance can be difficult regardless of age. With that being said, because many seniors have different priorities than they had earlier in their lives and careers, it can take a lot to find an encore career that is compatible with what they are looking for. Fortunately, just about any job can provide the healthy balance of work and life that seniors typically look for. Seniors who are honest with themselves and their employers often find that working after 60 is not only manageable but also fun! Continue reading for our guide on how you can find work and life balance in your encore career.

Balancing Work and Life in your Encore Career

Although the specific job and work environment certainly affects this balance, clearly defining what you want and need from your encore career for both yourself and your employer will set you up to be happy with your job.

Be Honest With Yourself

• Identify What You Value - Young adults who are joining the workforce for the first time are usually motivated by financial and career considerations. Between the need to pay off student loans and the desire to advance in their career, early professionals seek very different things from their jobs in comparison to seasoned workers. However, in this later stage of life, seniors typically have more flexibility in terms of finances and are less motivated to climb the ladder. Therefore, family may be a much more prominent part of their life. Whatever your values may be, make sure that you clearly define what that is.
  
• Set Expectations - While seniors are certainly more than capable of producing high-quality work, many people are often plagued by perfectionism. Be realistic in your expectations. Setting manageable goals is not only good for seniors, but it is also beneficial for all workers. If you have a series of goals for each day that you can accomplish, it can greatly enhance your feeling of fulfillment with your job.
  
• Take Personal Time - Allotting time for outside hobbies and activities are great for your overall health, both physically and mentally. Whether that means building in time for an exercise routine, planning to prepare healthy meals, or just enjoying time with your family, you have earned the opportunity to focus on yourself. Your personal time should not come second to work. Having this time can actually help clear your mind and make you more productive in the office as well. Personal time is actually good for you and your company in that regard.

Be Honest With Your Employer

• Express Your Concerns Early - As technology continues to rapidly develop, more Americans are reporting that they work outside of normal hours. While this may be something that some people are okay with, it might not be for others. The workplace changes frequently and by expressing your expectations to your employer early on, you can ensure that each party agrees upon what you will be responsible for. If you value your time off and do not want that to be interrupted, be sure to tell your employers. By doing so, you can avoid difficult conversations down the road.
• Ask Questions - Building upon the theme of workplace developments, it is likely that many of the tools being used in today’s offices are different than what was used five years ago. With such tremendous shifts, it is challenging for anyone to keep up with the latest tools of their trade. For seniors who have been working for decades, these developments can seem even more intimidating. No one can expect that you fully understand every new tool, so feel free to ask questions if and when you have them. Doing this can help you stay up to date and be as productive with your time as possible.
• Maintain a Dialogue - As time progresses, it is likely that your needs will change. Whether that means you want to work fewer hours, would prefer to work from home, or even find that you want to take on more responsibility, make sure that your employers are fully aware of these changes. By maintaining a dialogue throughout your encore career, you will be able to find a healthy balance between work and life for as long as you choose! 

Whether you are looking to continue your current career, find a brand new job path, or simply seek a part time job to keep you busy, finding a balance between work and life can be difficult as a senior. With that being said, an encore career could be a great way to earn extra income or even just spend your days. After all, thanks to your years of experience you still have a lot to offer in the workplace. Whatever your situation, good luck in your career and feel free to refer to our blog for more information and resources on how you can find a balance between work and life!