Your Sense of Relevance at the End of Career

Bursting with Expression

USA - 2011

An Often Unspoken, Yet Real Personal Concern

The anticipation and experience of your End of Career is a major life Transition. It will present you with number of unfamiliar challenges in addition to financial concerns. 

Whether you undergo a succession, sell your practice outright, close it or give notice to your employer, there are numerous matters that will require your attention.

Some of the challenges will be obvious to you, others not so much so. They are profound and common, yet often unspoken. Some can actually cause you to delay key decisions and will impede your progress.

Reasons I Encounter 

As a consultant and coach to medical professionals and other highly accomplished individuals concerning their End of Career Transition, I know there are obstacles that prevent individuals from ending their career and transitioning to the next phase of their lives. These are some of the less evident, but important reasons:

• Not knowing how to go about the process of Transition. 
• Not clearly distinguishing Who you are as an individual vs. What your title has been…your   sense of identity and how this is relates to your Transition.
• Not knowing What you will do in the future that fulfills your purpose and desires in a balanced manner.
• Not having the confidence that after the end of your career you will continue to feel relevant.

It is very natural to feel a measure of anxiety that arises from these concerns. Nevertheless, it is in your best interest to deal with them successfully. This is best accomplished through a process of self-reflection as you prepare and proceed with your Transition.

Transition As a Process 

It is important to recognize that your Transition is not an event, a moment in time.

Your Transition is an evolving process that provides various benefits. One is that a deliberate, purposeful, planned Transition will provide you with confidence and peace of mind as you experience it. Another major reward is that you will experience renewal and fulfillment…the key purpose and benefit of your Transition.

Thoughts About Words That Are Important

It is important to consider and distinguish the terms “retirement” and Transition. 

Some dictionaries define “retirement” as to discard, refuse, banish or reject. I believe the term does not accurately represent what this is about. Aside from the emphasis on an ending, it does not convey that this is a process that leads to another phase of your life. Furthermore, it is not an encouraging word used to describe this major life event that most of us experience. 

In contrast to that, the term Transition, as I encourage its use, describes a holistic and healthy process that evokes a positive outlook. Its purpose is to create renewal and fulfillment that is the source of lasting joy. It is a process that you design according to the unique vision of your future lifestyle.

So it is, that “retirement” closes doors; Transition opens new ones.

The Focus on Relevance and Its Sources

The basic human need for relevance is inherent in our nature. It is experienced by men and women, day laborers and professionals throughout the world. 

To experience relevance, to feel it, is a good thing. To be appreciated, valued and feel the expressed gratitude of others are healthy and powerful emotions that reinforce a sense of self-worth and purpose. These emotions help fuel many motivations of our lives.

I believe there are two sources of personal and professional relevance: internal and external. 

The internal, primary source arises within ourselves. The secondary, external source is expressed to us by others.

It is beneficial for you to distinguish these and have a sense of balance between them. Why?

There is a tendency to attribute our source of relevance to that which is provided by others, while not placing the proper value on our primary source. That over-dependency on external sources of relevance can be detrimental to our well-being.

I believe that the real basis for recognizing and actualizing a sense of personal relevance arises from within yourself. This is particularly applicable as you begin to plan and experience your Transition…the very time when the role that has provided you with external relevance will come to an end.

How Can You Achieve Clarity?

Please consider that it is really you that is genuinely able to judge your relevance to yourself. You do so by reaffirming Who you are, which gives rise to the Why of your life. This provides you with clarity of your character and conviction of purpose. This clarity that has served you well is now uniquely relevant at your End of Career.

A major benefit is that as you are true to your character and purpose, you will more readily find new ways to fulfill your purpose as well as satisfying your desires for fun.

Benefit Yourself…and Others

A true sense of personal relevance is born of clarity of self (Who), purpose (Why) and its faithful expression (What).

As this is reaffirmed, your will feel the strength of your character expressed in various ways as you feel renewal and fulfillment.  It will be evident to you and others that the essence of your being remains intact after the end of your career.

That strength of character will sustain you and provide courage to create your vision for sustained renewal and fulfillment.

Your example will serve others and help guide them through their struggles. 

That is a profound and noble legacy. Rejoice in it and feel relevant!

You may feel like the sun of your life is setting. But please know that it is within your power to live your life just as the sun, which warms the earth, is preparing to rise even as it sets!

My best wishes to you and your family!

Date Updated: May 14, 2022

PS: By the way, do you want to learn more about how to prepare yourself and your practice for a fulfilling End of Career Transition and life beyond? I would like to help you. I provide consulting/coaching services that are tailored to your specific needs. Click here to request a complimentary introductory conversation.

Evolving Splendor

En Route to Yosemite National Park - 2006