I think I have to quit saying I am in semi-retirement because what I am doing these days is far from that. It all started with the midlife career changes that both my wife and I were pushed into making when we closed our newspaper business. If you know anything about us, you will know that Brenda and I transitioned into new careers when we flipped individual hobbies into full-time business opportunities. You could say that from that point forward we haven’t slowed down.
Career #1 The fact that I was able to take a part-time freelance writing gig and turn it into a full-time web content ghostwriting business seems to be unusual to many. I get it. Not everyone realizes that most of what you read online was written by people like me. However, it feeds my endless flow of creativity and essentially keeps me from doing something stupid. I’m just over five years into this career and I see no end in sight with customers coming to me almost daily for my work. Career #2 I try to downplay my involvement in Brenda’s new career. She started making interesting jams and jellies at about the same time I started ghostwriting. Although I was not as connected to her homemade specialty food business in the beginning as I am now, we have both helped to grow it to where it is now. What was originally a single product has expanded to over 75 different items that I actively market online along with the business and all other promotional activities. Career #3 I’d be lying if I said I had planned this all along. While I have dabbled in local politics from the media side of the table, getting elected to our local Town Council has brought a number of different rewards to my life. It has enabled me to use some of my existing skills in ways I have never had the chance to use them before. It has also helped me to focus on tasks that are very different to what I am used to. I am really enjoying being a local politician in a team dynamic. Far Busier Now Than I Ever Have Been In My Life Weekends are reserved for vending with Brenda. That is when I can truly feel part of the business we have built together. Weekdays are split between my daily writing tasks and the many meetings I have scheduled as my role as Councillor. In fact, one week this month saw me attend a total of eight meetings in a five day stretch. It was never like that in the newspaper reporting part of the business. There is no doubt that my midlife career change is very involved. Not All Midlife Career Changes Are Like This I am aware that the three careers I currently have are more than likely the exception to the rule. Normally a midlife career change is a transition into something new, but just one path and typically a choice that is less hectic than the original. Sure, I do have days with not much scheduled in them and I do enjoy those breaks but I also enjoy the pace that I am currently keeping. My careers keep my satisfied and provide me with many different rewards. For More Information On Midlife Career Changes If you are finding that it is time for you to make the change, let me provide some guidance. For details on how to navigate a midlife career change, download my eBook, “Surviving Midlife Career Changes.” In it I discuss many aspects of a midlife career change that will help to prepare you for yours. I also include tips on job interviews because they are nothing like you remember them. Let my experience in making the transition assist you as you go through yours.
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AuthorMy name is George Elliott. I have been in the Media Industry since 1978. I spent 23 years in Broadcasting and worked in a total of six different radio stations located in southern British Columbia Canada during my career. In 2000 I switched gears and moved into the Print Media Industry at a small town, local weekly newspaper. In 2004 I bought the paper and operated it with my wife, Brenda until July 2016 when we closed it. I launched a freelance web content and article writing business from my home in January 2014. Archives
April 2021
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