A job for life

A job for life

If, being so committed to your role and immersing yourself so fully in your job, you can’t imagine doing anything else sounds familiar, or the thought of retirement brings you out in a cold sweat, you may be surprised to learn that a lack of planning for your employment exit could be limiting your current performance. In the words of Yogi Berra, renowned manager, and coach, “if you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else”.

Perhaps less surprising, a recent global report undertaken by FutureLearn, concludes that 21% of UK working age adults (equating to almost 7 million people) are taking control of their own destiny and do not expect to be working in the same industry by 2030. Fast forward those eight short years… what do you envisage you’ll be doing between now and then? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one in ten (8%) of UK working age adults to rethink their career paths, or to consider planning for their retirement. In doing so, they have discovered a whole new world of potential possibilities which has kick-started their passion or crystallised their determination to achieve future happiness. If you recognise that by the 2030 you will be deciding your next move, now is the time to start planning to ensure you make the very best of your time both in post, and beyond.

For many, the pivotal factor relating to any career change is a financial one. Will I have enough money? Will my pension be sufficient if I take it early? Will it mean a change to my current lifestyle? For others, a change of role or a step into retirement delivers a completely different set of concerns; what will I do? Will I be bored?

By planning now, by taking control, the empowerment and security of knowing what the future may look like can create an exciting and fulfilling transition. But where to start? The first step is to consider the end game – what do you want out of retirement? This one question alone will trigger a host of important considerations, how much time do you want for yourself? What are your favourite hobbies, and which would you like to try?

Once you have determined your destination, the real value comes from considering what the journey could look like. You will need to decide whether to stay in post until your time is done or consider one final appointment for a couple of years, in a school you might consider a risk at any normal time, to enjoy the challenge. Discussing the options with potential retirees often uncovers a host of unfinished projects or minor work-related disappointments and regrets, some of which can be addressed. Only too often I hear the statement, ‘my one regret is’. Think how liberating it would be, to be able to plan your way out of frustration and into a place of success before you make your exit. The ability to refocus your energies can create a dynamism and vigour that you may have been lacking for some considerable time.

Many Heads and Bursars we speak to, plan to take an interim position as their transition from their long-term employment to retirement. Interim roles can be immensely rewarding. However, it is important to decide how long you are prepared to commit to temporary posts, as they can be all-consuming and can result in delays to your own plans, which defeats the purpose of the exercise somewhat! For some, there is the consultancy route, subsidising their pension by sharing their years of expertise at the coal face. Again, this may be more of a financially driven decision, based on either a need to generate income, a desire to remain involved in a sector they love, or a desire to become involved in voluntary work, or something completely different of course.

While the purpose of all this planning is preparation, it is equally important to use this time to reflect, to think about what you might miss about your current role. Some people like to keep their hand in at their current school, while others find watching its transition to a new team too much to bear. You should ask yourself how you will feel about letting go and be prepared for the transition. By exploring these issues, you will start to come to terms with some of the emotions involved with major change. You must not forget that you have made an impact for a season and made a difference for children that will be remembered. However, how do you think you will feel when school is not your school anymore, when your season is over?

Preparing yourself for a change of routine is a major part of managing the process well. Perhaps think about what you plan to do in the September after you retire. You could plan a trip away to take your mind off the fact that it is the start of term, and they are hosting the first staff meeting or first assembly time without you. You also need to consider how you will maintain your network of friends who are remaining in the world of work, which of your colleagues you would like to stay in touch with and why. It is important to plan how you will maintain those relationships that will matter to you in the future.

There is life outside school to consider. It may be strange, for example, to know you can relax and not have to worry about what you look like as you walk around town or to think that the smart business dress code can be shelved during term time. It will be an odd feeling when you encounter that difficult parent or member of staff you had to deal with for years, walking towards you in the street. You will face the situation on at least one occasion when an ex-colleague tells you how things were better under your reign, or worse still how much easier life is without you. Taking your time to consider your reactions is an essential part of retirement planning after a lifetime in the profession, so they don’t take you by surprise or effect your mental well-being.

A change of role or lifestyle can be an exciting and empowering transition. Utilise the time to prepare wisely, make the most of the professional advice to hand, consider all the options available to you and only then will you make the most of the time both before and after you have retired.

Headspace Academics

Professional services for school: executive recruitment, strategic and marketing support, appraisals, and inspection readiness.

www.headspaceacademics.com