The self esteem of baby
boomers: Beginning a new job search
While there are many baby
boomers reaching retirement age in the near future, a number of those people do
not want to retire, for one reason or another. Age does not seem to be a good
reason to retire, even though retiring may appear to be a viable option.
Others may need to continue
working for financial reasons or have the desire to reach a particular
financial goal in life. Some may wish to continue to work for something to do
with their time or for enjoyment.
Some people just like working.
These people may have to begin a new job search. Maybe it involves a job change
because of age, physical limitations or a disability.
How does beginning a new job
search affect one's self esteem?
Self has to do with one's
entire personhood. It involves factors like character or behavior, one's
physical body and emotions, as well as thoughts and sensations. This is what
constitutes one's individuality and identity.
Esteem has to do with worth or
value. When a person esteems something, he or she forms an opinion or makes a
judgment about it. In other words, he or she will assess it or appraise it, in
some way and then, assign an arbitrary value to it.
Self esteem refers to how a
person assigns or places a value on his or her own self or entire personhood,
as a whole.
When a baby boomer has to begin
a new job search, his or her self esteem may be at an all time low. One's self
esteem is often adversely affected by forced retirement. In other words, the
person may perceive himself or herself, in a negative light. This happens for
many different reasons, some of which are personal in nature. Others can be
more work related or may have to do with the expectations of others, including
former co-workers, family and friends.
Assigning oneself a low self
esteem is not uncommon or unexpected, when retirement or job loss is involved. The
majority of people do this to some extent, because jobs appear to determine a
sense of worth, at least to some degree. Lose that job for whatever reason and
one's self esteem spirals in a downward direction. But, does it need to happen
that way? No, it does not.
The question that has to be
asked, is where and how does one begin a new job search?
A job search can appear to be
an exercise in futility, at any time, not just when a baby boomer is going
through a period of transition. Is it really? Not necessarily. In many ways,
transition is more akin to opening a new doorway in life. Every time one door
closes, another door opens. That can be perceived as frightening or it can be
exciting. A lot depends upon one's self esteem and attitude towards change.
There are a number of factors
to take into consideration.
First and foremost, a person's
job does not define his or her life, even if he or she thinks that it does.
This may surprise a few people, but when one thinks seriously about it, he or
she will realize that this is true.
To prove it, anyone can draw a
circle that constitutes all of the different aspects of his or her life,
including family and friends, interests and hobbies or what he or she is
passionate about. Then, that person can cut out the one segment that represents
his or her job. In comparison to one's actual entire life, it is probably not
going to be a large segment. There are many other aspects of life to take into
consideration.
Be aware that a person can
change his or her life at any time, whether or not one is a baby boomer. No one
is obligated to remain in one job for a lifetime, in spite of the many
pressures to do so. It totally shocks people when someone changes occupation in
mid-stream.
Change is always a valid
option. People become too accustomed to seeing a person in one role. They think
that one particular jacket is the only one that person could or should ever
wear and whether or not it is worn out, has been outgrown or whatever, they
will insist on having that person wear it, virtually forever. Life does not
work quite that way.
Guess what! Every person can
change his or her jacket by virtue of being a baby boomer.
A person always has some kind
of potential, whether recognized by others or by oneself. Each man or woman has
the potential for success, within his or her grasp. Sometimes, it is just a
matter or reaching out and grasping on to it.
Perhaps while a person is
searching for a new job, it becomes increasingly apparent that there are no job
opportunities available in his or her field or area of expertise.
This can happen for many
different reasons. The world is changing rapidly and the needs of the world are
changing at a tremendous pace. The secret of survival lies in changing with the
world. The big question is whether the baby boomer can change, with the times.
In reality, anyone can change although most people do not like change. It goes
beyond one's immediate comfort zone.
It also becomes a matter of
exploring one's options and deciding which are appropriate and which are not.
The entrepreneurial spirit prevails and self employment is always a viable
option. Anyone can create his or her own new job by deciding what he or she
would like to do. That is the first step.
If you are the baby boomer, ask
yourself what you are good at doing? What are you already doing that you could
possibly turn into some sort of a new business?
Taking a serious look at
different types of work, should be with an eye open to the future, in the light
of the reasons why a transition is necessary or required. Sometimes this is age
related, but not always. It may have to do with education, training that is
needed or maybe there is a disability of some kind that implies restrictions or
limitations.
Another type of work may
involve an upgrade of some kind. Ask yourself if the upgrade options are open
to you. Are they realistic? If not, why not? Are they right for you at this
time and suitable for your future? Remember to take location into
consideration.
Look at a new job search as
presenting a fresh challenge to you, possibly a learning experience, some fun
and a chance to meet new people.
Don't let the age factor ever
frighten you. Sure, you are a baby boomer and you are aging, but everybody else
is getting older, at the same time. Your years have given you wisdom far beyond
those who are younger than you are. They may need your wisdom, whether they
realize it or not.
Remember that you always have a
much better chance of achieving success with a positive attitude, so happy job
hunting. Look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself every day that you
did not get to where you are without some struggles. You do how to cope with
almost anything.
Do a serious self esteem
evaluation. Is it positive or negative?
Baby boomers, remember to love
God and others, but love yourself, as well.
God loves you, so hold yourself
in high esteem.
No comments:
Post a Comment