Writing my book has been the catalyst for many interesting discussions with mature age practitioners of late.
Some of these conversations have involved catching up with friends and colleagues I haven’t spoken to in a while. Yet others have been with people I have met only recently.
There are a number of themes running through these meetings, all based around practitioners stepping back from the coal face. Whether it be looking at what they are doing, a desire to incorporate other dimensions into their life, a need to evolve professionally or financial matter, there issues are bubbling to the surface such that they can’t be denied. Whereas once upon a time anything not related to present work issues was relegated to secondary status, now practitioners are feeling the need to give other issues more breathing space.
I’ve just written the first version of a discussion paper on these issues. The handful of practitioners who have read it confirm that the paper tackles some issues of great significance that they are currently experiencing. I’m looking to develop the paper further and in particular to come up with positive actions that practitioners can take to incorporate their changing circumstances into their lives.
Look for more material on this area in due course.