When is it time to call it a day?

[Mendalla]

I will reach 25 years on my current job next year. It has evolved considerably in that time, from me being the first, and sole, IT person at a small but rapidly growing company, to me being the overall leader of a team of 6 permanent staff (not counting me) and 1 co-op student. And I have evolved considerably in that time, too. I have skills I never dreamt of. I have become a fairly successful people leader (as we call managers), which I once doubted I was even capable of.

But 25 years is a long time and I am in a career that I never trained or planned for. Somehow, I pulled it off. But I looked at my team and realized that they can run rings about me in most, or all, of the technical stuff. I still do backup on the help desk and take after hours call once a month or so but a lot of the time, I'm eventually handing off to them. I just don't have the up-to-date skillset for how our networks and systems operate. I do manage our ERP/accounting software which also keeps me fresh on dealing with databases and related systems like our integration tools. But that's a niche area and goes away when we finally adopt our parent company's new ERP software.

So a couple years ago, I put it to my boss and the VP/GM that maybe my time had come, and proposed retiring at 60. We have not finalized anything, but part of my succession plan, promoting a senior member of the team to manage the support and networking side of the team, did get implemented this year. He's my pick as my successor, too. So I know that if I go, I will leave the place in good hands.

But I know my boss would like me to stay around longer. Fact is, retiring at 60 means 2025 and fairly early in the fiscal year, too. I suspect he hopes to keep me until the BIG PROJECT, i.e. that new ERP system I mentioned, happens. But that almost certainly will not be finished in 2025. The nature of our systems means we are probably looking at a 1-2 year project and we haven't even started yet since there's other things that need to happen first. And, again, the senior member of my development and system management team is quite capable of handling that project, maybe even more so than me.

We are financially independent, arguably even mildly wealthy, so can easily afford to lose my income (my wife is already retired). That's not even a consideration.

I have plans for retirement, including expanding my writing to include full novels and maybe even trying to get published (or self-publishing). Maybe taking some courses in the areas of interest that I have kind of neglected. Get involved in a church or similar community groups again. And, of course, continuing to travel as we have long enjoyed doing.

So why am I considering retiring in a nice bullet list:

• Much as I love this job and company, 25 years is a long time and I am feeling more and more like I am overstaying my welcome
• I am probably suffering a bit of imposter syndrome, given that IT is something I neither trained for nor planned on as a career
• My team are much more capable than I at this point in many areas and I feel like deadweight at times when I see what they are accomplishing
• I have interests outside the IT field that I would love to have more time for and more flexibility to pursue
• I am actually not sure I have the energy or interest left to handle the massive projects I see coming down the pipe at work
• At 60, I might have 20 good years left in me looking at family history so might be a good time to shift gears so I still have some time to enjoy things

Why stay?

• I believe in what my company does. We deliver quality health care, we believe in making a difference in people's lives. My contribution to that is indirect since I am "back office" but I still hear time and again how the work IT does helps with that mission
• I love my team, both my own immediate team and the broader group at our head office. I have friends there, I have treasured, valued colleagues and co-workers there.
• Every now and then, I hit a challenge that re-engages me and gets my interest back up
• The regularity of having hours and an office does help me keep a bit of a level head and an even keel or something like that

So there it is, my big dilemma. We are engaged in business planning, including strategic, right now so it is a time to put this on the table again. And then the next opportunity comes in Spring when we open the new fiscal year with PAs.

I know a lot of you are retired and have maybe been through this before yourselves. What do you think? Am I missing any obvious questions or issues as I think about this?

(And there's a non-zero chance that I might end up semi-retired, working on a consulting basis for specific projects but no longer fulltime or a permanent employee. Our old VP did that for a couple years after retirement, doing strategic and business development work, and the boss hinted at it at least once when we were having this conversation)

 

[Nancy]

Retiring is a tough decision. I know how much I miss my teaching life, and how much I still feel that I have skills that could benefit others. I retired at 60 partly because my arthritis was making it hard to keep as physically active as I needed to be with primary kids. So, that was a big factor. But I certainly found lots of interests to keep me busy and happy. When I retired, I also decided not to do occasional teaching, as many people do, because I felt that my last teaching year was so picture perfect that I didn't want to tarnish the memory with the messy world of stepping into others' shoes temporarily.

As for your decision, my sense from reading what you've written, is that you WANT to retire at 60. It wouldn't be a 'quit', but a transition into something more self-directed and yet fulfilling. So...calling it a day, with an eye to the wonders of the new day ahead. Having said that...I know you will come to the right decision and will benefit from wiser words that I share! But...just so you know...you'll miss it. Which means it was a good run. Sincere best wishes during this decision making time.

 

[Northwind]

I also think you've made your decision. You want to retire at 60. I was 61 and don't regret my decision. It was the right time for me. I just didn't have anything left to offer. Mostly emotionally. I dropped my registration so can't work in my specific profession.

 

[KayTheCurler]

It sounds like you have plenty of ideas, and adequate income to keep yourself active and learning. Retirement would give you the time to explore.

 

[ninj]

Is there any possibility of doing a brief sabbatical? Long enough to have a closer look those other interests? I knew I'd love retirement when I was free for 7 weeks and loving the time to myself. It was clear I would not be bored. That's when I got down to planning. You've already done that.

 

[paradox3]

I also think you've made your decision.

My impression as well.

You want to retire at 60. I was 61 and don't regret my decision. It was the right time for me. I just didn't have anything left to offer. Mostly emotionally. I dropped my registration so can't work in my specific profession.

I took early retirement at 58. No regrets here either. I also dropped my registration with my professional college.

 

[Mendalla]

I also dropped my registration with my professional college.

That, I think, was one mistake (not the only one) Dad made. He was an accredited real estate appraiser in working life (for the government) and had he kept that accreditation up, he could have done private appraisals for realtors and such after retirement. Might have kept him more engaged.

No one has ever come up with a widely accepted, standarized accreditation for IT professionals, not for lack of trying, so I really have nothing to drop. My MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) is long since out of date because in my role, there's no need for it to be up-to-date. IT certs like that help you get a job but are not really necessary once you have one.

 

[BetteTheRed]

I retired at 58, and I knew I was ready. 30 years in any place is likely to leave one sorta burned out. I knew at the time that I'd need to work part-time until my little mortgage was paid off, which it will be in another 5 years, and that will be about the right time to end my little part-time cashier career!

 

[Carolla]

I just finished a book study group (at Hillhurst United) that looked at "From Strength to Strength" by Arthur Brooks. About finding meaning in the 'second half' of life (hint - relationships & spirituality are pretty important!) You may find it interesting Mendalla.

A key point Brooks comments on is how we actually DO start to change (dare I say decline) cognitively (and younger than we might imagine!) - moving from primarily operating in Fluid Intelligence to inhabiting Crystalized Intelligence as we age & you seem to have described experiencing this in your writing above, but perhaps not in those terms. Some bits of the book I found to be pretty simplistic, but other chapters made me think more deeply. I think he's got a few youtube vid interviews out there too if listening is preferred. Retiring is for sure a big decision - I see that you are approaching it carefully, with your Ape wisdom. And making the decision is just the first part of the journey.

 

[paradox3]

I just finished a book study group (at Hillhurst United) that looked at "From Strength to Strength" by Arthur Brooks. About finding meaning in the 'second half' of life (hint - relationships & spirituality are pretty important!)

Interesting that this author talks about two halves of life. Is there a defining moment which divides life in two? Or is it based statistically on years?

Others have talked about four quarters.

Then there is the maid/ mother/ crone model which gives us three phases of life.

 

[paradox3]

Retirement years have brought a LOT of changes for us. Within ten years, we experienced the decline and death of our four parents. Both of our daughters got married & one of them split with her husband within two years. The other had a baby.

So here we are. The senior generation of the family and grandparents. We are very fortunate to be in good health. Life is slow and peaceful. We are not the type of retirees who say we are busier than ever.

 

[Mrs.Anteater]

Reading this, your first bullet points clearly are stronger than the other argument. As much as one likes the job, nobody is irreplaceable and people who live for their jobs only, have a hard time adjusting to retirement. You seem to have enough to keep yourself busy. Maybe time to retire before the health pushes you out.

I have to go four more years until 65.5 for financial reasons. I switched to an easier job a year ago and I am trying out different volunteer jobs to find a niche for afterwards.

 

[Luce NDs]

In my 78 th year and a new door is opening ... could be the death of mease ... imagine forensic science!

 

[Carolla]

Interesting that this author talks about two halves of life. Is there a defining moment which divides life in two? Or is it based statistically on years?

Others have talked about four quarters.

Then there is the maid/ mother/ crone model which gives us three phases of life.

Good question. I don't recall there being discussion about a defining moment or statistical analysis. It's more of a recognition that one's abilities and/or sense of relevance may be declining from the heady & driven 'power days' of earlier career times - and how to focus on adjustment & creating meaning & happiness. Brooks is "a social scientist who studies human happiness." He's a regular columnist for The Atlantic, has written many books, is an esteemed prof at Harvard Business School, previous head of a us 'think tank' in Washington DC. All this after starting his career as a professional French horn player!

 

[BetteTheRed]

He's a regular columnist for The Atlantic, has written many books, is an esteemed prof at Harvard Business School, previous head of a us 'think tank' in Washington DC. All this after starting his career as a professional French horn player!

In my experience, overachievers are a bit of discouraging model for us ordinary folk...

 

[Luce NDs]

In my experience, overachievers are a bit of discouraging model for us ordinary folk...

Yet those folk up there with over activated chitz ... what will they do if there are no ordinary players to support the carrying on ... or the carrying out of the mistakes? There's a lot of that chit around us ... and chit really is a bit of fecundity from earlier times ... thus dt's ... different times for different foques ... a QUEUE for ????

Could it be a line for what we didn't know could consume Yah! Gods of the past where then swallowed ... by what? Yep! the cat got it ...

 

[JayneWonders]

@Mendalla

I will try to respond at greater length later, but, the best thing that I did was retire at 58, then, went into consulting.
I worked full time for a bit, maybe even more than full time, but, my sweet spot is the 10-20hrs/week for key high IT times, then off, Generally projects take time to spin up, have busy times, then quiet times. So, for me, that is often start to spin up in January work through to May, then start to spin down. Ditto in the fall.
Set yourself up in a corporation. (we can talk about that in a phone call if you like)
Tell them happy to work as a consultant for them, based upon everyone agreeing that it is benefecial, and that you are in an advisor/consultant/architect role. This means that you need to not own anything, don't do support, etc.
I personally say that I will work Tues/Thurs based on requirements, and mon/wed/fri only upon special arrangement or scheduled. Reason: this allows myself and the company to plan efforts. I also often do quiet / analysis work on those "off days". tues/thur are mega communication "ask me anything days"
I've had other models with companies, but this works best.
Also, think of rate. you want it to be worth your while. do not undercut yourself. Make it high enough, they don't want to consider you a cheap resource.

 

[jimkenney12]

I have not had steady ongoing employment since 2000, so this kind of decision I have not had to make.

Mendalla, to me your greatest strength is leadership in group relationships. I suspect your boss values you more for your leadership gifts than your IT skills. Do you really want to wait until you are 60? What are your reasons for waiting until you are 60? Would you be more valuable to the company in a coordinating role between IT and the other parts of the company? Could that be a part time role?

A few years ago I thought I would like to write when I had my final retirement. Working on a computer tires me out quickly now. Even though I have lots of time for writing, it is not as easy as it was a few years ago. The book I am reading pushes me to write but my eyes and my brain are resisting that push.

What do you really want to do now? Why?

 

[Luce NDs]

Myself ... I like to speak of my experiences with what some call foreign (intelligence) to them ... the great unknown. Albeit many reject such commentary and declare they know better than the entire item integrated to their benefit ... thus the waste as defined in word as prodigal ... emerging from an inky, shadowy place and time!

What happens if one listens to the mute, blinded and deaf? It may incarnate as a pupil ... a black spot within an unknown ... given what we know of self?

Is there reason for great powers to desire the populace to be stupid? Did the authority miss something of a talent?

Such stuff's kills me as a living, evolving word that authority believes is an established edifice ... as they put it together for their own advancement in reality while the ektoplasm move on ... viscous and tacky ... like the tail of a Don Qui? Imagine such abstracts as conjured out of existence ...

No! Nothing to be considered as comprehensible? Thus wasted, prodigally spoken ... it passed ... like time itself; once know as AN's! A concern within itself ... this can go on for some span ... like Rhodes ... out there is a lot to learn! Some express this as life and all that is in it is the enemy as it resides there beside us ...

Is there mores? Should that be R's as it the matter was darker according to Lenard C? Thus expanding unknowns ... inflated for benefit of what? This may be troubling, bother, concern, or worry ... maybe not if without adequate resources of appreciation ... these are humble cycles ... allows one to substitute "c" for "K" ... Oh Kae or just a tough oaky? It was a difficult tree ... up in it things unspeakable ... generated from roots ... hypoxia? Someone found it caused them to hold their breath ... like OCH m'n it arrived ... the Dan was Donned! Some declare the devil got into them ...

Word sometimes is diabolical until getting the hang o'vite ... with your mouth shut; "nobody knew?" Don't bet on it ... metamorphosis ...

What's a pho*sis ... an alien as Cis 'T! Temporal or pariah? These words must be dusted off ...

 

[Delightful Life]

When do you know?

Good luck, Ape!