The Importance of Purpose
We all likely entered a pubic safety profession to serve others and our communities. While most public safety careers last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, the desire to serve and have purpose does not end when your public safety career does. If you plan to do “nothing” in retirement, trust me when I say, you will get bored quickly.
After working shift work and overtime for years, many often look forward to retiring and doing nothing. However, many are surprised to find that after a few months of sleeping in, unlimited gym time and honey-do's, they start to feel like something is missing. That bug that drove you into public service, however many years ago, is going to start nibbling away at you. This fact is important to consider prior to retiring or leaving your public safety career.
Prior to retirement, or now, if you have already retired and have decided that you are officially bored, I highly encourage you to take a moment to ask yourself what drives you and what fulfills you. It may be picking up a hobby that you once enjoyed, volunteering for an organization whose mission you are passionate about, starting a second career, or spending time with your family. If you've maintained hobbies throughout your career, then continue to dive in. However, if you were a self-proclaimed workaholic, working as much overtime and extra duty as you could find, then you are going to find yourself with a lot of time on your hands. An excessive amount of idle time can create feelings of isolation or inadequacy, or a wish to return to the good ole days. It may even stir up feelings related to trauma experienced while on the job. If the latter becomes prevalent, which it very well may "after the boots come off", then I certainly encourage you to seek treatment. However, be aware that connection and purpose are important and increase the ability to maintain resilience. Therefore, I recommend that you start engaging in some activities outside your normal everyday job duties before you retire. Leverage existing relationships and forge new ones with others who have similar passions as you do. Those passions may turn into second careers!
When I retired from law-enforcement in 2020 after 21 years, I knew I was not done yet. However, when I left, I didn’t have a plan and for a while, I felt lost. I tried volunteering, and discovered a nonprofit organization whose mission I believe in and am passionate about. I’ve remained involved in supporting this organization for several years now and thoroughly enjoy being a part of it. Additionally, I also knew I was not done professionally. Although it took me two years, I was lucky enough to find a position working full-time for a company that allows me to serve in public safety in a different way and I have found it equally fulfilling.
Again, I ask, what is your passion? What drives you? Just because you are an OG, doesn’t mean that you still don’t have a lot to give.
