I certainly don’t want to be the one who encouraged another boomer to jump into the deep end only for them to nearly drown and never enjoy the pool again. However, in our ever changing economic climate, most of us need to consider some form of second career to maintain our life-style and provide us with the ability to give back in the second half of our lives.

In light of these thoughts, I would suggest three things to look at in choosing your second career:

1. First, and in my opinion foremost, find something to do that you love. If more than 80% of working people don’t like their jobs, then way would you spend your second career doing the same thing? What would you do if money were not an issue? Find a way to do that AND find a way to get paid to do it.
2. Look for something that allows you to begin with minimal risk. Many, if not most, boomers don’t enter their retirement years with “deep pockets.” Most of us are ordinary people who want our second careers to count while minimizing any risk to our hard earned funds. Be careful to consider all the costs in both money and time. Find a way to get started without spending more of either than you can afford.
3. Look for something that can produce high rewards. Now, like success, the definition of “high rewards” varies greatly. You must define what “high rewards” means to you and then align your second career with that definition. When you let someone else define for you what is reward and how much you should have, you become enslaved by their definition rather than liberated by yours.

Many baby boomers spent their first career living out the dreams of those they worked for. We created success for others while putting ours off until later. Well, later has just shown up and now it is time for us to establish our own definition of success and follow after our dreams. Find what you love, work hard and with low risks, and gain the high rewards you deserve!

Talk more later ….