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Kim Potgieter
Creating various careers and cultivating diverse interests
Last week I was privileged to present at GIBS’ Vodacom Leadership programme on the subject of having a portfolio life.I am seldom able to do a talk without sharing what I have learnt from our Chartered clients; I feel incredibly fortunate to be the wisdom conduit between people in their 30s, eager to learn, and clients in their 60s and beyond who have so much life knowledge.
What is a portfolio life, you may be wondering.
I see it as a life in which the Wheel of Balance is the principal philosophy , where you are engaging in work, give back, relationships, money, health, learning, purpose and play. So often in our accumulating years, we are too busy just working and our interests become centred around our careers … creating tunnel vision!
As a result, when we sit down to plan the next phase retirement, clients are unsure how to replace their traditional work. We use the Sigmoid curve and recommend clients put in a parallel life in place that will take them to a meaningful life, Retiremeant. This parallel life often involves a new form of work, something clients might have wished to do but, because they have had financial commitments, have not always had the option.
Ask yourself which areas of the Balance Wheel are brought to life for you through what you have been doing that brings you meaning – whether through formal work or other interests. For some, it is a give-back initiative they are passionate about and now want to put more time into; for others, it can be a hobby they have pursued in their spare time and to which they now want to give more attention; for many, it is mentoring others in industries in which they have experience and expertise.
Whichever it is, I have seen that nurturing our interests takes effort but can evolve into very meaningful and exciting new careers . In the latest Inflight newsletter, Elaine and Les Midgley share their exciting journey and Aldie Kleynhans shares how her artistic talent is her work, though she does not sell her paintings.
Important, though, is to remember the Chartered definition of work: ” where we add value “. We don’t necessarily need to get paid (but what a bonus if we do), especially if it feels like a play cheque and it is on our own terms in our own time.
