| Many of the client's I work with in my Life Coaching | | | | A common argument against starting a new career |
| business are in the age range of 40 plus. A belief | | | | as an older person is that , "I won't have enough |
| which comes up often early in our conversations is | | | | energy." Often people are so burned out in their |
| the belief that maybe they are too old to consider | | | | current career that it is hard to imagine having the |
| changing careers. After all they should be slowing | | | | energy to start a new one. We do need to be good |
| down. They should be thinking about retiring not | | | | caretakers of our energy at all times of life but |
| starting a new business or entering a new career. | | | | especially as we get older. The beauty is that when |
| Well thats a lot of "shoulds" and as time goes by I | | | | you find a career you love, which uses your |
| am less and less sold on retirement. I get many | | | | strengths then it will naturally give you energy! Yes, |
| retired people in my workshops who say that they | | | | you will get tired by the end of the day but you will |
| are totally bored with retirement and are ready to | | | | be ready and excited to go do it again tomorrow. |
| get back to work! Sure, they are picky about the | | | | When you are working from your strengths and |
| work they want. They want work they are | | | | passions it feeds your energy rather then draining it. |
| passionate about and many want more freedom of | | | | What I have found is that when you are in a career |
| time. What they all want is to feel like they are doing | | | | you love it is easier to drop the draining activities in |
| something meaningful and enjoyable with their life. | | | | your life or hire them done. Save your energy for |
| As a generation we are living longer then ever and | | | | what you love! |
| many of us are extremely healthy so there is no | | | | A big plus to starting a business or new career when |
| reason to hold back from finding and creating work | | | | you are older is that you bring with you tons of life |
| we are passionate about. There are many examples | | | | experience. You have learned through the years how |
| of people who change careers much later then is | | | | to get along better with others, how to problem |
| normally thought of as a "good age" for a new | | | | solve and you have connections you developed over |
| career. I remember reading about a woman who | | | | time. All of this will help you progress faster and |
| always dreamed about being a doctor. She entered | | | | move smarter. Take all your hard earned knowledge |
| medical school at the age of 60. Often people would | | | | and life lessons with you and they will give you a |
| say to her, "Do you know that you will be in your | | | | huge boost. |
| 70's when you finish?" Her answer always was, "I'll be | | | | So let's change that old belief, "I am too old for a |
| in my 70's anyway. I would rather be a doctor when | | | | career change." and choose a supportive belief like, "I |
| I am 70 then just be 70." Last I heard she was | | | | am the perfect age for a career change." Agnes |
| enjoying a thriving medical practice. Most successful | | | | Martin wrote, "I didn't get my first show until I was |
| new businesses are started by someone in their 50's | | | | 45. If I could tell you anything, I would tell you that |
| or older. In fact many Venture Capital Companies | | | | you have time." So gather your wonderful self up |
| prefer funding businesses run by a more mature and | | | | and get started on that new career or business. It is |
| experienced leader. | | | | never too late to have work that brings you joy! |