Irons in the Fire

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When I speak with people who are preparing for retirement, I encourage them to get involved in just a few things, and then become deeply absorbed. Author and researcher Morton Hansen advises, “Do less, then obsess.” The rewards we miss from work, such as a sense of accomplishment, team camaraderie, belonging, and doing something that matters, comes when we dig deep and invest our time, effort and skills.

This is all good, sound advice. But there’s more. Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha, authors of The Start Up of You, advise, “It's unwise, no matter your stage of life, to try to pinpoint a single dream around which your existence revolves.”

So while I suggest getting deeply involved in just a few areas, I also want you to always have several possibilities available. I call this having “irons in the fire”—a phrase that originated from when a blacksmith would efficiently work on several pieces, returning each to the fire after the metal was too cool to shape, then picking up another hot iron to mold.

So which is it—deeply involved in a few areas or broadly seeking several possibilities? It’s both.

When it comes to volunteer opportunities, it’s best to become deeply involved with just a few organizations. Totally embrace your role and reap the benefits of full engagement.

And when it comes to your goals and dreams, I recommend having several possibilities on the line. Good things take time. If we need something to happen soon, we might be convinced that it’s time to give up—to decide it’s a failure. By having several irons in the fire, we can enjoy involvement in more than one area while another interest or aspiration heats up.

Copyright 2018. Patrice Jenkins. All Rights Reserved.