Episode 36 - The Cost of Waiting: A Powerful Story on Dreams Deferred and Why You Shouldn't Wait For Retirement
In this powerful and profoundly moving episode, James Hammond sits down with career break coach and author Katrina McGhee to explore the true cost of waiting to chase your dreams. Katrina shares a personal and emotional story about one of her earliest clients — a man who had big plans for travel and adventure, but kept postponing his career break for what he considered the “perfect time.” Sadly, he never got the chance to realise those dreams.
This story is a wake-up call for anyone deferring their passions, whether it’s travel, a career shift, or simply taking time for themselves. James and Katrina reflect on why waiting for perfect conditions can be dangerous, the hidden risks of tying joy to retirement timelines, and the importance of creating space for sabbaticals or mini-escapes. They also discuss how to balance financial security with living life fully and offer practical ways to stop delaying your dreams.
More than just a conversation about career breaks, this episode is about living intentionally, embracing opportunities now, and ensuring you don’t look back with regret. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need a little nudge to stop waiting and start living.
Got questions or stories to share? Reach out to us via email, Instagram, or LinkedIn (links are available in the show notes).
Just a final note to say that this episode may cause you to be upset, and it certainly was a difficult one to record. However, we passionately believe that the key message here is to take action on your career break or pursue your dreams. Don't take getting to retirement for granted, as you may not reach it. Take action and work towards that goal.
Katrina and James
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome + introduction to Katrina McGhee
01:00 – Why this story matters and setting the scene
02:30 – Katrina shares her crisis of confidence while writing her book
04:00 – The story of an early client who dreamed of a career break
06:00 – Discovering what happened to him and the impact on Katrina
08:00 – A life deferred: waiting for retirement and missed opportunities
10:00 – Reflections on work, money, and the “escape plan” mindset
12:30 – The heartbreaking lesson on health, life, and timing
14:00 – Why “perfect conditions” rarely arrive
15:30 – Living with urgency: how to stop waiting and start now
17:00 – Final reflections and how listeners can apply this story to their own lives
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
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📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
