Reinventing Your Life at 50 - Taking Baby Steps
I had always heard that when women turn 50 they experience a dramatic shift in their attitudes and become much more comfortable in their own skin - confident, outspoken, a more authentic version of themselves.
So as my 50th birthday was quickly approaching in the fall of 2009, I was looking forward to this new and exciting time in my life.
Little did I know that the proverbial shoe was about to drop - right on my head.
At the time I was traveling 50% of the time, handling an 8 state sales territory, had just developed REALLY high blood pressure and had put on 20-30 lbs due to job stress.
I was NOT a happy girl! And as the worst recession of my lifetime was peaking - I was laid off from my printing sales job in September 2009.
It was time to do some serious soul searching.
Some of you probably have had similar experiences over the last 2-3 years.
I realized I could not go back to selling printing after 27 years in the industry.
I literally hated what I was doing and felt like the life was being sucked out of my body day by day - plus there were no print sales jobs to be had at that time anyway.
With no savings, no retirement money and no golden parachute I decided it was time to reinvent myself - or maybe just go back to being the person I had always been.
Somehow I had to find a way to make money AND make my heart sing - while making said money.
Not an easy proposition to say the least.
So I started thinking about all of the things I really enjoyed doing, made a list for myself and tried to figure out what kind of job I could do to use my interests and talents.
Making your list - or "Mind Mapping" or making a goal poster is the first step toward creating a new life for yourself.
My list probably does not look like a list you would make for yourself - but that is the beauty of this exercise.
This is the part where you figure out who YOU really are and what YOU want for yourself.
For example - my list of interests and talents looked something like this: 1.
Working With Seniors - I enjoy working with older people.
I love their energy, wisdom and their senses of humor.
2.
My Creative Talents - I am very person and feel my creativity is my strongest asset.
M hobbies include gardening, watercolor painting, floral design, arts and crafts, singing, playing instruments, teaching water aerobics and wine tasting.
3.
My Professional Talents - Experienced marketer, Communicator, and Sales Person 4.
Entrepreneurial Spirit - After trying to start businesses several times before only to return to a corporate job after a few months I make a commitment to myself to stick with my new business for a minimum of 2 to 3 years - not 2-3 months.
5.
Computer/ Internet Savvy - and willing to learn how to incorporate the Internet into my business.
You may wonder what kind of business incorporates working with Senior Citizens, arts and crafts, floral design, singing, gardening or learning about wine - sounds like something really "out of the box".
At first, I did too - and I'll share more of my progress with you in future articles.
It's been an interesting journey for the last 19 months - I encourage you to take steps to have a fulfilling "second act" also - after all everyone says 50 is the new 35! Taking a new path is not always easy, but now every new day is an exciting adventure to look forward to!
So as my 50th birthday was quickly approaching in the fall of 2009, I was looking forward to this new and exciting time in my life.
Little did I know that the proverbial shoe was about to drop - right on my head.
At the time I was traveling 50% of the time, handling an 8 state sales territory, had just developed REALLY high blood pressure and had put on 20-30 lbs due to job stress.
I was NOT a happy girl! And as the worst recession of my lifetime was peaking - I was laid off from my printing sales job in September 2009.
It was time to do some serious soul searching.
Some of you probably have had similar experiences over the last 2-3 years.
I realized I could not go back to selling printing after 27 years in the industry.
I literally hated what I was doing and felt like the life was being sucked out of my body day by day - plus there were no print sales jobs to be had at that time anyway.
With no savings, no retirement money and no golden parachute I decided it was time to reinvent myself - or maybe just go back to being the person I had always been.
Somehow I had to find a way to make money AND make my heart sing - while making said money.
Not an easy proposition to say the least.
So I started thinking about all of the things I really enjoyed doing, made a list for myself and tried to figure out what kind of job I could do to use my interests and talents.
Making your list - or "Mind Mapping" or making a goal poster is the first step toward creating a new life for yourself.
My list probably does not look like a list you would make for yourself - but that is the beauty of this exercise.
This is the part where you figure out who YOU really are and what YOU want for yourself.
For example - my list of interests and talents looked something like this: 1.
Working With Seniors - I enjoy working with older people.
I love their energy, wisdom and their senses of humor.
2.
My Creative Talents - I am very person and feel my creativity is my strongest asset.
M hobbies include gardening, watercolor painting, floral design, arts and crafts, singing, playing instruments, teaching water aerobics and wine tasting.
3.
My Professional Talents - Experienced marketer, Communicator, and Sales Person 4.
Entrepreneurial Spirit - After trying to start businesses several times before only to return to a corporate job after a few months I make a commitment to myself to stick with my new business for a minimum of 2 to 3 years - not 2-3 months.
5.
Computer/ Internet Savvy - and willing to learn how to incorporate the Internet into my business.
You may wonder what kind of business incorporates working with Senior Citizens, arts and crafts, floral design, singing, gardening or learning about wine - sounds like something really "out of the box".
At first, I did too - and I'll share more of my progress with you in future articles.
It's been an interesting journey for the last 19 months - I encourage you to take steps to have a fulfilling "second act" also - after all everyone says 50 is the new 35! Taking a new path is not always easy, but now every new day is an exciting adventure to look forward to!
