As it's approaching a year since I asked for your advice on here after choosing voluntary redundancy (rather than being pushed
) I thought I would just post a quick update.
At first, I gratefully followed the suggestions on here but in a fairly short time, 2 of the 3 that I chose went belly-up as they were too similar to what I had escaped. The third option, Estate Planning, is the one I have stayed with and it is actually a bit of a mix of all three options.
It was a very bumpy road for the first few months. I had a much lower income and wondered at times, why I had walked away from the relative security and a regular salary. I’m sure many people leaving a long term career do the same and a bit of panic sets in!
I had also taken John’s warnings on board and throughout my training, I constantly watched out for hints of poor practice or sloppy processes that suggested sales may be prioritised over good advice and feared that if I had chosen something that may be anything less than honest and professional, I would have to walk away and start all over again. Not easy at my age.
I’m pleased to report I am now happily adjusted from working a ridiculous 60+ hours a week, driving up and down the country and feeling constantly stressed to working 3 or 4 days a week in a job I love! It’s taken some getting used to, especially the months of studying and exams, but I’m finally feeling the satisfaction of being able to do more of what I enjoy and less of the stress.
So, for anyone facing the situation I was in 12 months ago of finding a new career at a “mature" age, I say go for it!
Think carefully about what you enjoy in your working life, ask people’s opinions about what they feel you are good at and don’t write anything off until you’ve tried it.
