by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: April 25, 2009

Launch A New Ship Of Discovery

You are a baby boomer, ready to retire and you are thinking seriously about launching a brand new career.

"What? You are launching a new career? But you have had one for forty years? Why on earth would you want to do that now, especially at your age?"

Reality is such that times change, so do people and their careers. But does launching a new career, as a retiring baby boomer make any sense? Perhaps it does to you, but not to anyone else.

(Your family and your friends have put you in a box that is already sealed, packaged and labeled, with one occupation for life.)

"Wasn't your career choice, the reason that you spent your family's hard-earned money? Have you forgotten how much money they invested in your university education? Are you just going to throw that all away now? What a pity! All of your efforts are wasted. Your mother and father would be so sad!"

Who is supposed to give you permission to change careers, at this time in your life?

Guess what! As a baby boomer, you do not need to have permission from anyone. There is no rule book that says that you cannot launch a brand new ship of discovery!

How to launch that new career, as baby boomer, depends on you. In other words, if you can see your way to do it, go for it.

Begin by researching your new career idea first. Maybe you have a number of different ideas. Don't expect anyone else to understand them.

You may be totally amazed at what you find on the internet, with regard to possible career options. Times have definitely changed. There is a multiplicity of possible options for new career choices. It is no longer just doctor, lawyer, teacher or nurse. But are the alternative career choices appropriate for baby boomers?

Look realistically at your current job. That door is obviously closing.

Maybe you have been tired of that job for a long time, but you are still too embarrassed to tell anyone. Perhaps your current job is too tedious? Maybe your work is becoming more strenuous than you are able to handle, or are willing to admit. Perhaps you cannot cope with your current job, mentally or emotionally. You know that the excitement about your job disappeared a long time ago. The challenge is no longer there for you.

Now begin to look ahead, realistically.

Can you find a new career (not necessarily a job), that is not going to be too tedious for you? Yes. Can you see yourself working at a less strenuous task, one that you can handle mentally, emotionally and physically? Yes. Have you found

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