Allowing Self-Actualisation
Future Work Strategy # 2
Welcome back to my Future Work Series, where I share tangible strategies and approaches to shift towards a more fulfilling work life – contributing to a healthier self, society, and the planet.
I can't offer you "the one" correct answer - the "recipe to success". And that is not my intention. I hope to inspire you to explore concepts that may resonate with your situation and encourage you to further build on my ideas:
👉Future Work Strategy #2: Allowing Self-Actualisation
We're in this together, and the time is to develop a new way forward collaboratively. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
What Would You Do If Money Were No Object?
Picture this: When I pose this question to my coaching clients, their eyes light up, and their voices are excited. Suddenly, they envision creative pursuits, quality time with loved ones, meaningful ways to serve others, and contributions that could impact society. It's as if removing their biggest concern—financial security—opens a gate of possibilities.
The Silverpreneur Revolution: A Glimpse into Possibility
To understand what happens when we break free from survival thinking, consider the emerging "Silverpreneur" phenomenon identified by the German Future Institute. Individuals who continue their professional and entrepreneurial journey beyond retirement age give us a powerful glimpse into human potential unleashed by financial constraints. They embody a new paradigm where:
They choose work based on passion rather than necessity
Their experience combines with freedom to create unique value
They redefine aging through purpose-driven engagement
They contribute to society from a place of wisdom rather than obligation
The Silverpreneur movement isn't merely about staying active in later life—it's a living laboratory showing us what work could look like when financial survival isn't the primary driver. They represent a new ageing model with dignity, vitality, and continued societal impact.
Why Wait for Retirement?
Here's the paradox: While Silverpreneurs demonstrate the incredible potential of purpose-driven work, the broader part of our workforce remains trapped in survival mode until we burn out1 or bore out2. No, this is not a spelling mistake. Chronic underchallenge and boredom at work are leading to symptoms similar to burnout, such as exhaustion, depression, and a lack of motivation.
Research shows nine out of ten people would accept lower pay for more meaningful work3. Yet, instead of pursuing transformative career changes, 77% of the global workforce remains disengaged4.
The crucial question emerges: Why should we wait until retirement to live and work this way? Research confirms that pursuing a fulfilled life is essential for mental health and well-being at all life stages—those experiencing fulfilment report more positive attitudes toward ageing and better self-rated health. Fulfilment creates a lasting, internal sense of wholeness and recognition of one's impact on the world5.
We can't and shouldn't postpone our health and happiness to retirement, especially since several sources indicate that retirement systems face significant challenges, putting future pensions at risk6.
Inner Voices Downplaying Our Needs
In societies where basic needs are met, why do so many people resist exploring new possibilities and reimagining their potential?
In German culture, we have several sayings that discourage striving for more and accepting status quo: "Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten” (Cobbler, stick to your last - don't do anything you don't understand); "Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof!" (Life is not a pony farm! – so why should you have fun); "Selbständig bedeutet selbst und ständig" (suggesting entrepreneurship means working alone and endlessly).
These sayings are rooted in outdated ideas intended to protect us from failure or exclusion from society. Meanwhile, we have internalised many of these in the form of inner voices, and today, we don't even need to hear them from the outside to slow us down in our development. However, what was once well-intentioned no longer protects us from danger but instead leads us deeper into it.
Many people downplay their needs when it comes to new ways of working. And it is understandable: the voices are so strong because work is so strongly connected to our safety needs (earning enough to cover our needs and a secure home), belonging to a team and to society (love and belonging), and feeling recognised and seen (esteem).
Many feel that striving for self-fulfilment is too much and are embarrassed to stand up for what matters to them. But it's not too much. New Work isn't just about personal fulfilment—it's about creating a better society for everyone. To truly help others, we first need to care for our needs. If we don't, we risk burning out and getting sick because we don't take the time to think about better ways to do things. Can you see the downward spiral?
Breaking Through Our Self-Made Prisons
Psychologist Gay Hendricks7 identifies the 'Upper Limit Problem' as a tendency to stay in our comfort zones, blocking us from reaching our full potential. This self-sabotage arises when we exceed an inner 'thermostat' for happiness, success, or creativity, manifesting as fear of failure, negative beliefs, or undermining our joy.
Hendricks traces this behaviour to childhood fears and false beliefs, pinpointing four key 'hidden barriers' that sustain the cycle.
The Belief of Being Fundamentally Flawed: A deep-seated fear that we're not good enough to deserve success
Loyalty and Abandonment Issues: The belief that achieving success means betraying our past
The Burden of Success: The fear that greater success will make us a burden to others
Dimming Our Light: The fear of outshining others and the resulting self-sabotage
Your Journey to Self-Actualisation
Pause for a moment to reflect:
What does living a fulfilled life mean to you?
Which internal or external blocks hold you back from your full potential?
How would you allocate your time in an ideal world?
What becomes possible if money were no object?
What small step could you take today to bring more of yourself into the world?
A Call to Action for a New Era
The journey toward self-actualisation isn't a future luxury—it's our present responsibility. Silverpreneurs show us what's possible when we align work with passion, wisdom, and purpose. These freedoms shouldn't wait for retirement; they're principles we can—and must—embrace today.
Our decisions ripple outward for those privileged with choices, influencing social norms, organisational cultures, and our planet's health. By embracing our authentic selves and reimagining how we spend time creating value, we enrich our lives and model a sustainable alternative for others.
Change begins with small, courageous acts: questioning defaults, protecting what matters most, and making space for rest, reflection, and contribution. While this journey may mean confronting fears and challenging norms, the transformation is worth it.
Pursuing self-actualisation isn't arrogant—it's aligning with our deepest values and acknowledging our responsibility to the greater good. Through this alignment, we cultivate healthier systems, foster equity, and unlock the creativity and care our world needs.
What tiny step will you take today to reclaim your time and step into your unique power? The world awaits the contributions only you can offer.
All time high burnout rates in Switzerland (2023):
Keystone-SDA (2023). Burn-out among Swiss workers reaches all-time high. [online] SWI swissinfo.ch. Available at: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/burn-out-among-swiss-workers-reaches-all-time-high/48946058 [Accessed 8 Dec. 2024].
People affected by boreout often feel trapped, unable to escape due to structural or cultural barriers. They experience guilt, loss of creativity, and emotional emptiness, which can lead to severe mental health issues:
Employees Switzerland. (2023). Boreout – a Vicious Circle. [online] Available at: https://employees.ch/boreout-a-vicious-circle [Accessed 8 Dec. 2024].
Achor, S., Reece, A., Kellerman, G. and Robichaux, A. (2018). 9 Out of 10 People Are Willing to Earn Less Money to Do More-Meaningful Work. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2018/11/9-out-of-10-people-are-willing-to-earn-less-money-to-do-more-meaningful-work.
Gallup (2024). State of the Global Workplace Report. [online] Gallup. Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx.
Doris Baumann (2022) How can you live a healthy and fulfilled life? New study shares tips [online] World Economic Forum. Available at:
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/01/fullfillment-mental-health-study-ageing/
European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority. (2024). Navigating Challenges in Pension Sustainability. [online] Available at: https://www.eiopa.europa.eu/navigating-challenges-pension-sustainability-2024-10-10_en.
Gay Hendricks (2010) The big leap. HarperOne
The term "Silverpreneur" was such a light bulb for me today! Thank you for highlighting it in your article, Graziella. I'm 54, and it's a very transitional stage as far as one's career. I'm not old enough to retire (nor do I want to), but I'm old enough to realize I don't want to be a part of the corporate grind and machinery anymore.