Boomers for Hire – We’re Not Getting Older, We’re Getting Better

As a Certified Business and Life Coach, I focus on Career & Life Transitions, Leadership, and Positive Self Talk which form the foundation of my coaching. As an expert in life and career transition, I have been working with many Boomers, (as well as younger people), that seek a second or third career for many reasons such as finances/economics, life purpose and boredom.

Let’s clear up some myths about mature workers:

Myths vs. Facts About Mature Workers

Myth
Mature Worker’s are Less Productive

Fact
Productivity Rises because-

Greater Dependability
Good Judgment
Accuracy
Excellent Work Ethic
Loyalty
Appreciate Their Job
Care About Doing a Good Job

Myth
Hiring Mature Workers Provides No Benefits to Employers

Fact
Mature Workers Provide These Benefits to Employers-

Less Likely to Change Jobs
Lower Absenteeism
Punctuality
Experienced
Committed to Quality
Superior Customer Service Skills
Eager to Learn New Skills
Positive Attitude

Tips for job seeking-

• Network & Build Relationships
• Be Positive
• Focus on the tangible contributions you have made and the experience you possess.
• Give examples of measurable results and your accomplishments.
• Broaden your pool of targeted employers
• Stay current with skills and technology
• Update all information (resume, bio)

I also recommend having a business card made with your contact info on one side and your strengths and skills bulleted on the back of the card.

For workshops on life/career transition, job seeking, interviewing, and more … contact Ms. Samakow at susan@selftalkcoach.net or call her at 301-706-7226.

How Our Beliefs Shape Our Reality

I remember a story about Roger Bannister, the first runner to break the four-minute mile. The belief was that no one could break the four-minute mile, and for a long time no one did. Our thoughts were our reality. Roger Bannister made a conscious and intentional decision to release that limiting thought that shaped the world’s reality.

Roger set out to break the record. He ran the next mile in 4:02. He persisted. On May 6th, 1954, Roger ran the mile in 3:59.

The following year, and the year after that, runners kept improving on their times. New records were set. Roger had broken the barrier, the dream mile that changed the belief for so many who were thinking with constraints and limits.

Try this exercise:
Sit back, get comfortable, and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. You can meditate on these inquiries or just take a quiet time and think about the following:
Think about a time in your life when you felt self-imposed limits were holding you back. How did you get past them? What did you say to yourself? What inspired you to break down the barriers that you or someone else set? How good did you feel when you succeeded?

As Buddha so eloquently phrased it, “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”

You are capable and competent. Shape your thoughts and your reality in a positive way. Internalize your success.

Benefits From Positive Emotions

There are so many benefits when your thoughts come from positive emotions. It’s my belief that what we think is what happens in the outside world. Our beliefs and thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Here are a few benefits when you come from positive emotions:

· Improving physical health

· Increasing creativity

· Overcoming negative emotions more easily

· Looking at obstacles as stepping stones

· Turning hardships into challenges

· Shifting failures into success

· Increasing motivation and energy

· Internalizing success and growing from it

Next time you notice negative thoughts and emotions, remember that our mind determines the outcome. Be aware of your Self Talk. Our beliefs shape our reality.

Aim High for Your Retirement Transition

When I present my Retirement Transition workshops, I always close with a few quotes. The one that really grabs me, as well as the audience, is by Michelangelo, “The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it’s too low and we reach it.” Michelangelo is the perfect reminder for baby boomers, or anyone, to take a second look at life and ask, “What’s next for me?”

Michelangelo was 71 when he became the chief architect for St. Peter’s Basilica. At 81 he was still working every day. Louise Hay, famous publisher and speaker, began her publishing company in her early 50’s. Last year at 81, Louise released her first film.

And then there are the Beach Boys. Every year my husband and I go with friends to see them perform. It always takes us back and makes us smile! When Mike Love, who is now 69 years old, was asked when he and the Beach Boys would retire, he responded, “Retire? Retire from what?”

How you view retirement, what your mindset is, will make a tremendous difference in how you’ll live your life. Retirement is a major transition. And although people tend to resist change, even when it’s positive, this is a great time of life to do those things you put off when you were younger.

I view retirement as an opportunity and not an end. That we are retiring to something as opposed to from something. No longer are we living a traditional retirement like that of our parents or grandparents. Today we are living 30-40 years in retirement, a lifetime from generations ago.

Baby boomers are looking for a life purpose and a deeper meaning, whether in the form of a second career, volunteer work, leisure activities or helping out with grandkids. They are interested in more than just the money. Boomers want to live a more satisfying and fulfilling lifestyle. And why not? We’ve gone from school to work to raising families, paying mortgages, bills, and other responsibilities. Isn’t it time we put more of our personal hopes and dreams back into lives...things that may have been pushed to the side because of our responsibilities. Not that there’s anything wrong with being responsible…but now’s the time to shift the focus back to ourselves!

The average boomer wants periods of work mixed with periods of leisure. Boomers want to work “when they want to work and with whom they want to work”. They feel the same way about their leisure activities. Today’s boomer is the most tech savvy, educated group in our country’s history! In fact, even with the shaky economic situation today, boomers are spending more money on leisure goods.

So what type of retirement do you want? Today there are many choices, options and possibilities. For some, it can even be a little overwhelming. In that case, take baby steps…that will keep you moving forward and toward your dreams.

An important tip is to make sure you are coming from a positive mindset. Your Self Talk (your inner dialogue or thoughts) is very important here. It is the determining factor for how you live your life. We all base our lives on our thoughts. Our decisions and judgments are based on our thoughts. Therefore, our thoughts will greatly influence the relationships we’re in and the careers we choose. Therefore, if you are looking into a second career, volunteering, or deepening your relationships and making new ones, you want your Self Talk to be positive.

And when you’re thinking about what legacy or imprint you want to make, aim high!

Will Baby Boomers be needed in the job market?

• Will Baby Boomers be Needed Soon in the Workforce?
• Does Experience Count?
• Will Federal Experience Transfer to the Private Sector?
• What are Transferable Skills and Strengths?
• Benefits of hiring mature workers

I discuss these topics in my recent interview on Federal News Radio 1500 AM

Listen here

Learning How to Balance Our Energy Houses – The “Being” House

In my last entry I talked about the energy houses. Today I want to focus on the “Being” House. Anyone who wants to deepen their learning about “Being” read Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now” and The New Earth…Tolle masters being present. You can find them on my book suggestion list on my website. (link to your site)

“Being” is our heart space. It is all about relationship, connection, and being engaged…with ourselves and with others. “Being” teaches you to engage from the heart and leaning into whatever you are doing. For example, when you come home after working all day you have a choice about what to do. You can go into the “doing” house and clean out a closet. You can work on a hobby or do a chore...or you can engage in conversation with your spouse, play and connect with your kids, take some quiet time and read a book or take a bubble bath. If you choose to do an activity, make it a holistic experience…enjoy and be present...experience the being.

What’s important is to balance your energy houses…don’t hang out in one place too long…shift from one energy house to another and experience the calming feeling of balance.

For more info contact:
Susan Samakow, PCC, CPCC
Certified Business and Life Coach & Speaker
Susan Samakow Coaching, LLC
www.selftalkcoach.net
susan@selftalkcoach.net
301-706-7226

All excuses are misalignments

Check out Dr. Wayne Dyer on his most recent PBS special for insights into...what would it be like if you were free from the excuses that are holding you back from the life you want to live? Or, as Dr. Dyer will tell you, "all excuses are misalignments." For more video and additional information, visit Wayne at his web site.