How Do I Survive the Last Mile to Retirement?

Business|How Do I Survive the Last Mile to Retirement?

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The Busywork Is Beyond

I have worked for a large health care organization for over 25 years and am less than two years away from retirement. By staying until my full retirement age, I will benefit from a great pension and lifelong health care benefits.

While I still enjoy the work, I have gotten increasingly sour on the extra corporate projects we are required to participate in. My workday is so packed with patient care, I often have to do these extra tasks on my own time. I fluctuate between passive-aggressively doing the bare minimum and unloading my harshest criticism. I have told my managers how frustrated I am. While they sympathize, they aren’t in a great position to fix this problem.

I feel like I am powerless to make any effective change. But I also hate how bitter I have become about my job. I am counting my days until retirement. I recognize that the only control I have is over my own attitude. Any advice on how to survive my remaining time at work?

— Anonymous

“I recognize that the only control I have is over my own attitude.” This is wise, and true, but it isn’t the whole story. For one thing, you also have control of your actions, and you seem to have some understanding about the manner in which your attitude is directed at others around you. And not for the better.

This isn’t to make my answer all about your supposed failings. You wrote in because you’re struggling. (I notice an element of actual suffering, too — after all, you use the word “survive.”) But I want to point out that how you decide to approach a difficult circumstance is up to you, and so is how (or if) you act on it.

In this case, part of your struggle involves the knowledge that you aren’t acting your best, or, in other words, that you’re not proud of the person you’ve become — “bitter,” you said — at least with regards to your work. That’s the sort of thing that can weigh on a person just as much as outside circumstances themselves can.

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to be passive aggressive — or “unload your harshest criticism.” This, too, is not out of your control. I also have no doubt that part of what is affecting your attitude is your sense of agency, and your feelings as to whether you are being truly heard. And though it sounds like you are, your direct managers seem unable to make meaningful change.

Here’s a question you may want to consider: What would making meaningful change look like? Perhaps part of reasserting agency and feeling more empowered is to approach your work as an opportunity to provide your managers with solutions to the demands being put on you. Think about making a list of all the issues you have — be specific — and then look at that list and append it with possible solutions.