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.

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!

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.

"The David" WIthin Us

Finding “The David” Within Us

How we view life is all about the perspective we have. Since being snowed in for days with no electricity, I started to look through books I hadn’t looked at in a while. I came across the photo of Michelangelo’s statue “The David”.

As the story goes, Michelangelo was given a huge slab of granite and asked to create something from it. After working on it hour after hour he created this magnificent sculpture that he named “The David”.

Now there’s two perspectives here…One way is that Michelangelo chipped away at the stone and created David. And the way I view it is that David was always in their and he had to chip away at the excess stone to get to him.

I believe “The David” is within all of us. We are all Magnificent ! We just sometimes have to chip away at the layers, the outside sources and influences that have us looking at ourselves with limited thoughts as opposed to unlimited, unused potential that we all have.

Unleash your Magnificence….See “The David” within you and the people you’re in relationship with.

The Power of One

The “Power of One” is an incredible phenomenon. Each of of us can make a difference. Think of this, a person can light one candle and with that one flame thousands of other candles are lit while never diminishing the light of the original or any other. That one candle can light up the world and so can you!!

So how would you like to make a difference? What’s your vision?
Now it’s your turn to light the flame!

Intentions

This is the perfect time of the year to set out what your intentions are...what you want to accomplish this year. I usually start my days by thinking what are my intentions for the day or week and at the beginning of the year, I take extra time to look at the year...the big picture.

When we are intentional and mindful (conscious and aware) of our thoughts, we get the focus and clarity we need to make decisions, set goals, and to take action. I know how important that is in helping us navigate through life. In fact, I have taking a quiet time, which is when I set my intentions each morning, as my first strategy for Positive Self Talk. That's how important I believe this is....it sets the tone for the day. I am not allowing life to just happen and then reacting to it. I am being purposeful and clear on what I want, personally and professionally, and then taking the action steps that align with that.

Before you set your intentions, notice your self talk (our thoughts, inner dialogue)
and make sure you're coming from a positive mindset so you get the results you desire.

Reflecting on 2009

Greetings and wishing you all a Happy, Healthy 2010 and Always!!

Reflections
We live in a society based on accomplishments, let’s get things done, and chase and conquer. And yet when we do reach a goal, how many of us take the time to reflect and internalize our accomplishments.

Yes, it’s great to achieve our goals and get the results we want AND it’s equally important to take the time to “fill ourselves” with each success that we’ve worked so hard to achieve. I find that the more I fill myself with the positive, the more my life is positively affected…it influences my self esteem, self image and self confidence. You can feel the same way!

So before you set out to accomplish your 2010 goals, take the time to reflect on 2009 – breathe it in!

Positive Self Talk

“Be yourself, everybody else is taken.”

Researchers show that there is very little difference in your brain activity between doing something and imagining that you’ve done it. So whether you make a lot of mistakes or just one mistake and reproach yourself over and over, to your mind it’s all the same. If you repeatedly tell yourself you’re stupid, your mind believes it is just as if you did something stupid over and over.

Your mind does not distinguish between “believing” and “doing” so talk yourself into the person you want to become.

This is further supported by scientific research. In Sonya Lyubomirsky’s book, “The How of Happiness”, she describes the Happiness set point: 50% is our genes; 10% can be attributed to life circumstances or situations; and 40% is our intentions…meaning much of our happiness is within our control; we have the power to change.

Happiness is from within us, not from outside of us. We can choose the activities we engage in intentionally – therefore, the things we think and do every day in our lives can increase or decrease our happiness. So whatever you enjoy in life, add more of it!

Think consistent habitual positive thoughts and begin to shift the brain’s mindset to a new pattern of positive self talk.
Dr. Bruce Lipton’s research in “Biology of Belief” has made an incredible impact in the scientific world on how our beliefs influence our cells and therefore shape our lives. What a breakthrough for all of mankind!

“Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.”

Intentions for 2009

But where do our intentions come from and what do they mean? I know when I am not clear about something, personally or professionally, the way I get clarity is to ask myself, "What are my intentions here"? "What do I want to produce"? and "What do I need to be mindful of"? Try it yourself!

When we are intentional and mindful (conscious and aware) of our thoughts we gain focus which gives us the necessary clarity to make decisions and to take action. By being intentional, people aren't allowing life to just happen and reacting. They are purposeful and clear on what they want and take action steps that align with what they want. So when someone tells you what you did was "lucky" or it happened "by accident"...no such thing exists! Intention is about who you are "being". Be aware and mindful of your thoughts and who you are spending your time with. Do work and activities that make you happy. When we say "yes" to life by doing what we love, we are saying "no" to stress. It's quite empowering!

Our intentions, what we intend to do, how mindful and purposeful we're being, helps give us the tools we need to navigate through life. But before we even set our intentions, we must first look at our self talk, our inner dialogue, to make sure we're coming from a positive mindset. Otherwise the outcome we desire won't manifest.

Here are two of the eight Strategies for Positive Self Talk that have proven successful with helping people shift from negative to positive:

1) Set aside a Quiet Time - during this time, even if it's for just ten minutes, think of what your intentions are for the day, the week. What do you want to accomplish? How do you want your day to look? It helps you focus and gain clarity.

2) Be Present and In the Moment - people tend to think in the past and get stuck there, or in the future and anticipate the "what if's" which create anxiety. It's okay to look to the past or future...just don't stay there...stay present and in the moment...that's all we really have.

Once you transition to a positive mindset, and practice this daily, shift happens! Intentions are clear and life feels more purposeful. It's a great time to set short and long term goals and create a plan for 2009.

If you'd like an "Intentions Goal Setting" worksheet or if you want to learn more about Susan's 8 Strategies to help people shift from negative to positive Self Talk email Susan Samakow or call her at 301-706-7226

Make it a mindful year- It's your Choice!

How are you using intention for 2009?
Please leave a comment and let me know!