Redirecting.work

What Did Dave Pivot From?

Work had always been central to Dave’s identity. He admits he was a workaholic, energized by the variety and purpose of his projects. Even late in his career, he was still enjoying the training sessions that allowed him to spark excitement in groups. But the rhythm had become predictable: “for the last six months, all I was doing was training.” He began asking himself “what if I want something different?” His wife had already retired in 2022, and though she never pushed hard, her question hung in the air: when will you?

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The trigger came in June 2024 during a personal financial review. Dave realized he could afford to stop. But money alone wasn’t the point. He needed to be ready psychologically to let go of what he was good at and what he loved. At the same time, his home in St. Albans felt inextricably tied to work. It was a convenient hub for flights, clients, and workshops. He and his wife began looking for a place that symbolized a fresh start. The search culminated in finding a converted barn in the countryside near Norwich, where both agreed instantly: this is the place. By July, Dave had drawn a hard line, refusing new work offers, and by February 2025, he had fully wound down his commitments.

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Transition Process

Retirement for Dave wasn’t just an exit; it was an intentional transition. The financial security provided confidence, but just as critical was setting boundaries. Moving away from St. Albans was part of ensuring he wouldn’t slip back into old patterns. “If I didn’t have a clear boundary, I’d always say yes. I’d always help.”

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Another defining piece was about legacy. HR Curator, which Dave had nurtured since 2009, was more than a website. It provided a daily discipline of selecting and sharing the best thinking on HR, analytics, and the future of work. Rather than selling it, he chose to hand it over to the Association of Business Psychologists, who would maintain its Twitter, LinkedIn, and website presence. This gave Dave quiet satisfaction: “I didn’t need money from selling it. I wanted someone to carry on with the same passion.” In this way, he ensured that younger professionals could learn from the curated content just as he had once learned from others. It was, as he put it, “a quiet recognition” of his contribution.

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The transition was smoother than expected. Support came from his wife, his children, and his financial planner. He anticipated struggling to say no to international requests, but found it surprisingly easy once his focus shifted to new priorities. “It’s been easier than I thought it would be,” he reflects. The only challenge so far? Learning to manage the plants around his new home.

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Current Direction

Today, Dave’s days are unhurried but full. He walks the dog, tends to gardens he doesn’t particularly enjoy, has lunch at the pub, and spends time with his wife making the new house their own. Travel is on the horizon. They will go to Mauritius first, then take two or three holidays a year. He does Pilates twice a week on a home reformer, a practice that not only keeps him fit but once aided his recovery from prostate cancer surgery.

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Personal projects beckon. While he won’t return to writing about HR or people analytics, he has unearthed a treasure trove of his late father’s creativity; three plays and two books. Dave plans to digitize them, read them, and explore whether they might come alive again for a new generation. He’s also rediscovering music through a vinyl record system, savoring the crackle of records from his 1970s youth. Most of all, he is enjoying the chance to “chill,” to be present without the demands of clients or conferences. Socially, he knows it will take time, but with family nearby and friends moving closer, he is confident that community will follow.

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Advice to Others Contemplating Retiring

Dave’s guidance to others contemplating retirement is straightforward and grounded in experience:

• Plan ahead: Financial stability matters, but so does deciding what boundaries you’ll need.
   

• Be psychologically ready: It’s not just about money; it’s about knowing when to let go of what you love.
   

• Set boundaries: Sometimes that means moving away from work triggers to create new space.
   

• Invest in social ties: Relationships take time to rebuild, but they are essential in this new phase.
   

• Think about legacy:  Whether through work you hand over or personal projects you revive, consider what you want to leave behind.

 

For Dave, retirement is not an ending but a well-prepared new beginning — one built on readiness, purpose, and the quiet satisfaction of passing the torch.