 | | |  |
|
|
Over 40? How to build the support network you’ll need now for the rest of your
life and work!
By Craig Nathanson-The Vocational Coach™
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Do you
have the just the right support network in place for you?
Look
around you now. Do you have people in your life on a daily basis who support
your dreams, your goals and your daily activities?
Do
these people make you laugh, make you smile and help you feel better about
yourself? Are these people able to truly listen to your needs, especially it
when it comes to your work?
Why is this critical?
Many of us
start to question our work after we turn 40, and it can seem threatening to
those around us. After all, think about all the years you left early in the
morning for work, and came home late at night. You made a good income and
never seemed to complain much. Why the sudden need to change NOW, at your age?
Well, this
is exactly the time when change is needed most. While most jobs and
organizations are only concerned about productivity and being effective, those
over 40 want more freedom, meaning and clarity in their work. They want to
know WHY they are doing the work, and what difference it is making for
themselves, and in the greater world.
With the
right support network at this point in your life, new ideas can flourish, new
dreams can become real, and new energy for life becomes available.
What
happens without the right support network?
People go
under. They bury their dreams for “someday” (which never comes). They convince
themselves to continue doing the same old routine work, and hope that, by some
magic, a good fairy will show up with a wand and make things better.
If you are honest
with yourself, you know this won’t happen.
Do you fire those around you?
You might
have to. Does your support network help you move forward towards what you
want, or does it hold you back?
If the people in your life are holding you back, you will need a new team.
Eliminating those
in your life who are holding you back is just as important. If the people
holding you back happen to be your immediate family, then an urgent meeting is
necessary. In this meeting, as in any business meeting, you must tell them you
are in a crisis.
Through much
reflection, you have discovered that your work no longer fits you. It is time
for a new direction. You ask for support and understanding. You explain that,
with or without that support, you must go forward with your new ideas and
plans. Let them know that if you don’t, you are sure you will die sooner then
you planned. Explain that you will do your best to minimize the impact, but
you expect that changes will be required. In the short term, there will be a
need to downscale the financial requirements of life to accommodate this next
journey.
If you find you do
not have the support you need, you will have to deal with it sooner or later.
I suggest that you should set a date within twelve months to do this.
Take the first steps now to build the right network
for you.
Make a list
of new people you could meet, and or network with, who are interested in the
same things you are interested in (your passions) This should be a short list,
perhaps six people. Make sure you stay in touch with them weekly. You can meet
these people in your neighborhood, in on-line discussion groups, and or at
networking events.
Make a second list
of people who are both interested and supportive in what you want to do. These
people will bring you ideas as you start your journey. You’ll need about three
of these people. You might have to hire someone — it all depends. You want
three people who are not only doing what you want to do and but who are also
willing to give you ideas and resources to help on your journey. You can take
a class; buy a product, sign up for a newsletter — there are many activities
that will help you obtain these ideas.
The third step is
to find someone who believes in you and your work. This is a person who you
might have to pay initially, but who does what you love to do, has great ideas
and or products you could use, and — most importantly — sends you business.
This is a person who becomes your mentor, your friend, your coach — someone
who is interested in your welfare and your success.
What about
those you fired?
You won’t
have time to worry about the OLD team. You will be too busy building your NEW
team. At this stage you won’t be looking back. You will have begun to build
your new life and your new work.
What’s at stake?
If you
don’t take action after 40 to discover and do the work you love, your life
will become routine, dull and lacking in passion. This is the sure path to
retirement, followed by a quick death.
If you do take
action, suddenly you will have new passion and new purpose for your life, and
those in it. You will cherish each day and totally use each one.
The best way to
get started and to build momentum is with the efforts of a new team, a new
support network.
Examine your team
now.
Fire those members
who will not be useful for the next stage of your journey, and build a new
team that will be just perfect for you - right now.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on as you go
- Craig Nathanson
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Craig Nathanson
Craig
Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a
coaching expert who works with people over forty. Craig’s new E-book, Discover
and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help
busy adults go insane with their work. Craig’s systematic approach, the
trademark “Ten P” process, helps people break free and move toward the work
they love. Visit Craig’s online community at
www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class,
get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private
coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig lives in San Anselmo, California. You can
reach him at 415-457-0550 or at
craig@thevocationalcoach.com .
|
Google Ads
Copyright © 1995 - 2005 Boomers International ™ ,
All rights reserved.
All articles written by our editors / writers plus
all information created by our web site
are owned by Boomers International™.
To use our materials, you must obtain a permission
in writing from Boomers International™
© Jieranai T. Maier.
The products and services advertised
are not necessarily endorsed by Boomers International ™
| 
 |
| | | | |    |
| |
