Things can change rapidly though. I’m age 62 at present. I had always envisioned myself working until age 70. Not meaning to sound pretentious, I enjoy my work for the most the part, I’m darn good at it and probably better and more successful than I was ten years ago at age 52.
However, given any number of factors both internal and external that relate to my work, I do not see myself working in my present position past age 65. And today I find myself contemplating whether I even need to continue that long. And this really changed for me in the last 18-24 months.
In my work, I’ve seen a large percentage of the support people with my company “check out” mentally since COVID. Work for them is about minimal effort, punching the clock, and getting a check. Sadly we can’t replace them because we can find candidates that are remotely qualified to takeover. So we retain people that are, at this point, striving for mediocrity.
For me, I’m wired differently. It is about striving for exceptional performance and doing the absolute best I can in every circumstance. And no I’m not successful in every situation, but never has a customer/client evaluated my performance and said I lacked in effort, will or determination.
I say all this to bring up something I’ve hit on in fall camp with the team and at times during the past season. I had not seen Coach Saban this frustrated with a team in a long, long time. Much of his frustration seemingly focused on lack of leadership, commitment and effort. I could empathize with him completely because in my work I was/am experiencing very similar things.
I truly believe Coach Saban will continue to coach as long has he feels he can “reach” and motivate these young folks as a player and as a person in a positive way. However, I could see him reach a point, sooner as opposed to later, where he questions whether the frustration level is worth it any longer.
And I’m asking myself that most every day now.