Monday, July 30, 2007
Self help book summary Thinking About Tomorrow
Thinking About Tomorrow: Reinventing Yourself at Midlife
Susan Crandell
Warner Wellness: NY
The author herself left her job as editor of More magazine to freelance and spend more time with her husband. She interviewed a number of what she calls Life Entrepreneurs who had done the same thing. This is midlife opportunity instead of midlife crisis.
Many people were motivated by Sept. 11 to change. Others changed because their spouse had changed first.
Baby boomers drifted into careers. Career counseling was nonexistent. Work occupies most of our lives yet many are discontented. Sometimes the working conditions are disappointing. High tech means no more down time and greater stress.
Fewer family responsibilities and greater savings allow baby boomers to change in midlife. Some just take a timeout. Some may be downsized.
Some boomers come to athletics late in life. Many refuse to acknowledge aging. Medical advances allow boomers to maintain youthful appearance. Hair dye has a great impact. So do lifestyle pharmaceuticals like Rogaine and Viagra.
People can and do have children at a later age. Boomer grandparents are closer to their children and grandchildren. Adult children return home. Many divorce at midlife but may rediscover a lost love. Blended families are frequent. Gays are adopting children.
Boomers have traveled more than earlier generations and continue to do so in adventure vacations, spa vacations, family vacations, foreign vacations. Some become expatriates.
Reinvention occurs on the spiritual level. Volunteerism, giving back, leaving a legacy, finding a higher calling.
Boomers went to college in record numbers. Many decide to continue education at midlife either for enjoyment or for a new career.
A well chosen pastime can revitalize life.
Some extremists step well outside comfort zone. Take physical challenges like becoming triathlete.
Almost everyone experienced uncertainty on their way to satisfying future. Sharing stories can demystify the process. Life entrepreneurs need to share the scary stuff. Advice is to take ninety days before evaluating how life change is going. Exercise, eat well, engage in spiritual practice to take care of self.
Now is time to think about what moves and motivates you. How can you combine your aspirations and skills to find a job that makes you happy.
What is most meaningful to you? Is it learning? Helping others? Calling own shots? Working with others or alone? Security or risk? How much money do you need to make?
It is easy to postpone decision but reinventers have an aha moment that motivates them to change. Too many choices can be immobilizing. Can work with a life coach. Can join a group. Can go on a retreat. Think big, start small. Don’t have to have full picture at the beginning. Be open to options. Make adjustments. Avoid thinking with blinders on. Resist hopelessness.
Susan Crandell
Warner Wellness: NY
The author herself left her job as editor of More magazine to freelance and spend more time with her husband. She interviewed a number of what she calls Life Entrepreneurs who had done the same thing. This is midlife opportunity instead of midlife crisis.
Many people were motivated by Sept. 11 to change. Others changed because their spouse had changed first.
Baby boomers drifted into careers. Career counseling was nonexistent. Work occupies most of our lives yet many are discontented. Sometimes the working conditions are disappointing. High tech means no more down time and greater stress.
Fewer family responsibilities and greater savings allow baby boomers to change in midlife. Some just take a timeout. Some may be downsized.
Some boomers come to athletics late in life. Many refuse to acknowledge aging. Medical advances allow boomers to maintain youthful appearance. Hair dye has a great impact. So do lifestyle pharmaceuticals like Rogaine and Viagra.
People can and do have children at a later age. Boomer grandparents are closer to their children and grandchildren. Adult children return home. Many divorce at midlife but may rediscover a lost love. Blended families are frequent. Gays are adopting children.
Boomers have traveled more than earlier generations and continue to do so in adventure vacations, spa vacations, family vacations, foreign vacations. Some become expatriates.
Reinvention occurs on the spiritual level. Volunteerism, giving back, leaving a legacy, finding a higher calling.
Boomers went to college in record numbers. Many decide to continue education at midlife either for enjoyment or for a new career.
A well chosen pastime can revitalize life.
Some extremists step well outside comfort zone. Take physical challenges like becoming triathlete.
Almost everyone experienced uncertainty on their way to satisfying future. Sharing stories can demystify the process. Life entrepreneurs need to share the scary stuff. Advice is to take ninety days before evaluating how life change is going. Exercise, eat well, engage in spiritual practice to take care of self.
Now is time to think about what moves and motivates you. How can you combine your aspirations and skills to find a job that makes you happy.
What is most meaningful to you? Is it learning? Helping others? Calling own shots? Working with others or alone? Security or risk? How much money do you need to make?
It is easy to postpone decision but reinventers have an aha moment that motivates them to change. Too many choices can be immobilizing. Can work with a life coach. Can join a group. Can go on a retreat. Think big, start small. Don’t have to have full picture at the beginning. Be open to options. Make adjustments. Avoid thinking with blinders on. Resist hopelessness.
Labels: baby boomers, book summary, midlife crisis, reinventing, selfhelp
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