Committed to Your Success Coaching & Consulting

An old client of mine, Bob, called me a few weeks ago to say that he had decided to return to the workforce.  Bob is 70 years old and had been retired for over 5 years.  He let me know that he had enough of the so-called “good life” and found he missed contributing and using his knowledge and expertise.  Bob had called to discuss fears that he had about returning into a new workforce and whether or not he could “fit” in. Bob had no doubt that he had the talents or the experience to do the job he was going back to. His fears were more related to being able to adapt to new systems and processes or new technologies that may have developed in the years since his retirement. We talked through Bob’s fears and he was able to dispel his fears and feel more confident.

Well, Bob called me recently to let me know how he was doing in the workworld.  It turns out that Bob’s fears, while not to be discounted, really did not merit as much time as he invested in worry.  I’m happy to report that Bob is doing well in his role. He has acclimated back into a routine, doing much of the same work he used to do, although he now finds that he is more in a mentoring role, helping his younger co-workers to become better engaged employees. They, in turn, have taught Bob some new computer skills and programs that have made his job easier.  Bob reports that he is happy and feels satisfied with his decision to go back to work.  How much longer Bob will continue is anyone’s guess.  But I think it shows that older workers can be productive and can co-exist with younger workers and do it effectively.  Bob has shown that “old dogs can learn new tricks” ( and do it effectively)!