Common Myths Related to Working

The following are common myths associated with working. There are many common myths and we are going to clear them up today!

Myth One: Work leads to retirement
This is the biggest myth of all. First of all, most people simply can no longer afford to stop working. Even for those who do stop working soon they find their lives are filled with too much leisure time. Not too long after a feeling of wanting to make a greater difference in the world will emerge. For most of us it is the question how can I keep working? It seems now organizations are hiring the youngest workers at the lowest price they can get. Just looking around it seems those over 40 seem to get pushed out sooner than later.

Myth Two: Do work which you are good at
After 40, for many people the work we are good at in many cases no longer brings the same joy as 15 or 20 years ago. You are not same person at 40 or 50 as you were at 20 or 30. Much has changed. In many cases this same work no longer provides passion, meaning and fulfillment.
However, there is a tendency to continue to do work which we are good at even if we are no longer interested. This is a strategy to retirement and quick death. The best way to prolong life is to live fully each and every day doing work which makes a difference to you. That will impact others in a good way as well.

Myth Three: Work is not something to be enjoyed
The historical view of work is that work should be hard, not enjoyed, and not even something one might be good at. This notion has stayed with us. Even career counselors today will nudge people into jobs and careers which the market wants. This is the wrong approach.

Myth Four: Work is for only making money
This is one of many common myths that I hear often. Work after forty has nothing to do with making money at a deep level. Work has to do with feelings of self worth, contribution, deep happiness, and a sense that your life matters. Also, work has the opportunity to pay your bills and living expenses. It is a nice combination.
One should never confuse work and money. The best work is when it feels voluntary and the worse work is when it feels obligatory. Of course, one needs to make money but the question is how to make money and live a life which feels fulfilling. There are many ways to make money. The more important question is what will you make money at and where will it lead you? If the answer is retirement, time to change direction.

Myth Five: A resume is necessary and sufficient
It is necessary only because the shallow way we have approached work in our education and thinking. The resume covers only an external view of what you have done. This form doesn’t cover your dreams, plans, goals, and deep desires when it comes to work.

About the Author: Craig Nathanson is the author of “Don’t JUST retire and die: A new approach to your life and work after 40″ and he is a coaching expert who works with people over forty.

Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com