One of the severance benefits offered by my former employer is the services of an outplacement firm for six months. Although I was lukewarm, at best, about getting a new job, especially a demanding one within my former career, I thought it couldn't hurt to learn more about job-hunting and, if I was lucky, finally figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I went over and met with my career counselor a few weeks ago. He was a middle-aged guy a year or two younger than me who had worked in HR at the firm I'd recently been booted from. As such, he understands their unusual corporate culture. Since I don't plan to return there, that is of limited value, but at the very least he has some insight into the kind of work environment I'd experienced over the last 7 years.
During our meeting, I talked about my desire not to return to the kind of demanding job I'd been in. It created work/life conflicts that were stressful and increasingly unmanageable for me. And the job didn't offer any personal or professional growth. That I was thinking about retiring (as in never holding another job) or potentially finding just a "job" rather than getting back into my career work.
So we agreed to work together to see what path might work best for me.
In the meantime, he suggested I call my current state "on sabbatical" rather than "retired." Job hunting in the current day is largely managed through networking. If I tell my large network of former colleagues that I'm retired, they probably won't think of me if a good opportunity comes up. When he suggested it, I thought it was actually a perfect fit for my current state, since I am taking a hiatus from work. Who knows where I'll be at this time next year ... but for now, I'm taking a break.
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14 comments:
Your status might require me to dust off the old Roget's Thesaurus. :) Whatever is may be - our best to you and Skip!
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick
Enjoy the break!! You'll know when it's time to get back in the saddle -- if ever.
Peace,
Muff
Patrick - I've read your writing ... you don't need a Thesaurus! :-) Thanks for your good wishes.
Muffie - I hope you're right!
What you want to be when you grow up LOL.
Good to see a post and it all does work out not always they way we planned it though.
Jan - it's so true what you say about things working out other than as we planned.
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year! =)
Merry christmas and happy new year to you folks, too!
Hello! If you don't mind, I would really love to ask you and/or Skip some questions about the Body Support from safe hands that you used (still use sometimes?). I've been reading your blog as I found it while searching the net about that. I live in a country where it's not widely available, so am trying to find out more before I make a very long trip to try it out, and then hopefully buy it. Do you have an email address that I could contact you on, if you wouldn't mind me asking you some questions? No worries if not, obviously. E
How is your break going? =)
E - The Surehands we have is great but there are other products that perform the same function available. I recommend, rather than traveling a long way to see a demo, that you find which of these lift systems are available near you and choose from one of those. I say that because you'll need to have the system installed and then occasionally serviced, so you need to have the product supplier/installer within easy reach.
When my mother was in the hospital for gall bladder surgery this fall, she was in a hospital room that had a different lift system installed in the ceiling. I was quite intrigued by it because it was much smaller and quite inconspicuous compared to the version we have. Take a look around, I'm sure you'll find a similar product that's local to you.
Sherry - the break is going great! I am going to do some posting to update folks ...
Hi Cranky,
Thanks so much for replying to me. I think I didn't make myself clear enough, though. I'm interested in the 'Body Support' that you had (there seem to be different terms in different places in the world), rather than the particular type of ceiling track. I'd definatly get a ceiling track locally, if I take that route, but the Body Support (sling alternative) seems unique, and possibly worth getting from a distance (it could be maintained locally, just isn't stocked). I think I might be able to get it on/off/use it myself, which is the 'selling point' for me, and the fact that it goes from the front, not the back. I have varying walking ability, but usually standing transfer, with assistance. According to some sites it can be used to assist in standing (without the leg supports), as well as fully lifting (with the leg supports), but this is only mentioned rather than explored - it seems an unusual use for it.
Glad your break is going well :)
E
Hope all is well with you two! Love and relax, all good stuff.
E - sorry to be so tardy in responding. I recommend you contact the sure hands folks. They have a "contact us" link on their site. From what you say, I think the body support could be an excellent tool for exactly what you propose - using it yourself to help stand up.
Diane - yes, all is well with us! Thanks.
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