Dr. Karl Pillemer

I've learned after these studies to cringe every time one of my students says, I want to be a chef, but I'm going to go work in the financial services industry, and then I'll do that later.

They argue that it is always too late to make that kind of change, that if you are in a job that is unfulfilling, really, really think about changing it.

Their rule was, if you don't feel good to get up in the morning,

and go to your job and you're staying in it, exactly like Mel said, you're not being honest with yourself.

And I would say that is to me one of the most impactful things.

They really argue that you need to choose work for its intrinsic value, not for the extrinsic rewards.

As I said, the one thing older people know about is time.

And they're amazed at how younger people use time.

It's like a desert tribes person would look at our profligate use of water.

Like, they just can't understand it.

So the idea of taking five years slogging in a job that is really unfulfilling rather than taking a risk for something else, you know, obviously you have to plan out your own life and what's feasible.

But to the extent it is possible for you to honestly assess if you really hate this job—

And make a change as soon as you can.

It was one of the biggest surprises of the study.

People from the Depression-era generation, who I figured would say, oh, find a stable job, make as much money as you can.

Not a single person said that.

And you know what?

It was especially powerful from older women,

who had not had opportunities that younger women have today, over and over they said, I would give anything for your opportunities.

Make use of them.