Rick - and how he found his calling

 11 August 2022

We were on a conducted tour of the West Coast of USA.  Since we were sitting in the front row of the bus I got to observe the bus driver closely.  The bus driver was probably in his late 50's or early 60's and seemed very knowledgeable.  The tour guide in fact seemed to be in awe of the driver, and obeyed the driver's suggestions on where to stop, which places to visit at what time etc even though the tour guide was technically the person in command.  Something about the way the driver carried himself, the calm and the self-assured manner in which he spoke indicated to me that he is no ordinary bus driver.

At one of our "restroom breaks" I introduced myself to the driver, Rick, and we got talking.

Rick is 62 years old.  He was a senior Manager in the Ford automotive company for over 25 years on their assembly line. 10 years ago (when he was 52 years) Ford company went through a major crisis and Rick was given the option of either retaining his job at half pay, or being laid off permanently.  Rick felt quite humiliated at the way he was treated and decided to quit.

He realised he was too young to retire from his corporate career, but the bitterness he felt made him decide that he had had enough working for 'ruthless' corporates. Fortunately he did not have an extravagant life-style and had saved up a reasonable nest egg to get by without a job. So he decided to turn his full attention on his 2 children both of whom were budding sportspersons in their college. He went around traveling with his children, mentoring them, and escorting them to various sport events.  About 5 years ago (about 2017) both his children got into national level sports teams, and Rick no longer had to give them the support and guidance that he had giving them so far.

So now Rick was at a loose end, not knowing how to spend his time. He took the easy way out, and spent his time lazying around in front of the TV guzzling beer and taking leisurely naps on his verandah. Life was comfortable but boring as he had no hobbies or passions that would keep him engaged and active.

The pandemic of early 2020 changed everything for Rick.  His neighbourhood was badly affected and hundreds were dying due to lack of medical care.  People were afraid to venture out, and hospitals were desperately short-staffed.  The hospital near his house sent out a general request saying they wanted a volunteer who can drive around medical staff from their homes to the hospital as even the public transportation system had come to a halt.

So here was Rick suddenly on an over-drive working often 24 hours without a break driving around medical staff in full PE kit on a hospital bus.  Rick suddenly started to feel wanted and useful - and he felt he was making a difference to society.  For those 2 pandemic years that is what he did - basically being a vounteer bus driver transporting medical staff often in very hazardous conditions.

Late last year when the Pandemic eased and the hospital no longer required volunteers, Rick spent some time evaluating his life.  It was clear to him that he relished the human connection and the joy of making a difference to the people around him.  It was also very clear to him that he did not want to go back to his old life of indolence and idleness as he was afraid his brain will shut down.

But he was also clear that he did not want to be part of a corporate organisation. He now valued his independence and freedom.  He wanted to do things that he enjoyed doing, and at his own pace, and when he felt like doing it - and not because some boss ordered him to do so.

His pandemic experience made him realise that he loved driving - in fact much more than his earlier assembly line management role at Ford.  So he decided to offer his services as a bus driver to a tour company on a contract basis (and not as employee).  The pay is good as currently there is a shortage of good bus drivers in the US, and the tour company is so impressed with him they actually fly him down from his home-town whenever he has to start any new driving assignments with them.  He ensures that he does not take on too many assignments at one go, and keeps taking long enough breaks in-between assignments so that he would keep loving his new avocation of being a bus driver. 

I asked him how long he intends to continue in this bus-driving occupation (or avocation - however he wanted to describe it.)  

He said "So far I am enjoying it.  The pay is good, and it gives me tremendous flexibility and freedom. It looks as if I will continue driving as long as I am physically fit".

For me this was a particularly interesting chat. A lot of us have quit big corporates because we need independence and freedom - the freedom to do 'what we want' and 'when we want'.  But a lot of us have also delayed and agonised over the decision to quit our corporate careers. 

And the reason why many of us who want to quit corporate life hesitate to do so is probaby not merely financial (the worry that earnings in our new post-corporate avatar will be inadequate).  I feel for many it is also because of the difficulty in figuring out how do we keep ourselves active and challenged in our post-corporate lives without compromising on our independence and freedom - so that we continue to feel valued because of the difference we make to people around us while we continue to enjoy our life.

And that is why I think Rick was exceptionally lucky - it took a pandemic for him to realise his post-corporate calling.