Thursday, December 17, 2009

LISTENING TO OUR ELDERS

We all get a lot of e-mail messages, many that we trash without reading. I don't remember who sent me the e-mail about the newspaper column written by 90 year old journalist, Regina Brett of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, but whoever it was, THANK YOU!

Regina Brett wrote a column listing 45 lessons life had taught her. I love how she thinks, and what she wrote, and I thought you would too. Don't worry I won't list all of her comments here, just a few that I found very poignant particularly as we face the end of another year.
So for those of you thinking about rewiring your life in some way next year, here are some thoughts to ponder.
  • Life isn't fair, but it is good.

  • When in doubt, just take the next small step.

  • Don't compare yourself to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

  • When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

  • Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

  • Don't take yourself too seriously, no one else does!

  • Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
My comment to all of you is that there's nothing earth shattering in her thoughts...what can be powerful is if you think about them and then apply them to your life.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

INSIGHTS FROM MILES DAVIS


A few months ago I wrote that I was getting into jazz. I was spending time listening to it, and going to jazz clubs with "smart" jazz friends who would graciously answer my naive questions. Then over the Thanksgiving weekend I took a deep diveon the topic and read the book, MILES, The Autobiography, written by Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe in 1989.

To put it mildly, Miles Davis lived a fast life. He had to overcome many demons and he holds nothing back in this book. I guess that is why I was so entranced by it. But I will admit that his language is extrememely colorful, so if you read it don't say that I didn't warn you!

The book cover states that "for more than 40 years Miles Davis was in the forefront of American music." I know that people have a wide range of reactions to Miles Davis, both the man and the musician but as I read the book what struck me was that Miles Davis was constantly rewiring himself when it came to his music.

I began to see a correlation with some of the people I had met this past year who have asked me...how do I stay in the game? How do I compete? It is highly competitive today regardless of one's field or one's age. Miles Davis made me realize each of us HAS to be our own critic. At age 49 when Miles Davis saw younger musicians coming on the scene he made the statement," I'm not prepared to be a memory yet," and he went out there and learned what it takes to stay in the game!

He hired younger band members. He dressed differently. He added percussion instruments to the mix and he gained an understanding of why Jimi Hendrix, SLY, James Brown and PRINCE were having success. He could have hung it up and complained, but he didn't.

Yes, I know that I'm overlaying my interpretation on what Miles Davis did, on what each of us can do, but it works. If we're still playing the same old song, with the same old beat, with the same old band then we need to change.

Tony Bennett was an original inspiration for us when we wrote DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! When he did the MTV show Tony Bennett UNPLUGGED, and then went on to make duets with KD Lang we caught the fever and thought of him as a role model for rewiring!

Maybe neither Tony nor Miles works for you, but find someone who does and go make some changes in your life that keep you in the game!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Discover Why Traditional Retirement Is Obsolete

Long before the economic chaos of this past year, Americans were already beginning to redefine what retirement meant to them. In fact it was as early as the year 2000, that AARP discovered that 80% of their members said they wanted to "work in retirement," but with flexible hours and with less stress and responsibility. But there is more to the story....


I had the chance to explore the concept with my friend, Andres Tapia, of HEWITT ASSOCIATES in an article entitled: Take Five - Retirement Is So Yesterday- Think Rewirement! It was an opportunity to propose a few ideas that all of us can start to do regardless of age or stage of life.


Andres is the author of the new book "The Inclusion Paradox: The Obama Era and the Transformation of Global Diversity," and is putting forward new ideas to consider that will impact all of our futures. It's a great read and very thought-provoking!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WHAT MAKES UP THE GOOD LIFE?



The Pew Research Center recently published the results of their "GROWING OLD IN AMERICA" survey. I found the results very interesting and beneficial to all of us, regardless of our age or stage of life.


One of the key questions was: What do Americans 65 and older like most about growing older?
They say:


  • more time with family 70%


  • more time for hobbies/interests 65%


  • less stress 59%


  • volunteer work 52%


  • more travel 52%


  • religion is very important 62%
45% of Americans 75+ say their life turned out even better than they expected. So what if someone asked you...what constitutes the good life for you? What would you say?


I believe that it's during challenging times that we need to reflect on our lives; to take stock of who and what in our lives are really important to us. When times are good we take a lot for granted. It's during the tough times, when the rubber meets the road, that we need to look around and identify what gives us joy and fulfillment.

If you're like most Americans today, you have or are facing some type of change--and you probably don't like it. We can't control life nor other people and it's scarey when we don't know what the future holds, nor what the "new normal" will look like. The one thing that I hope that all of us know, is what we do like.


So while we're in this time of change, take stock of your life and begin to build in, or build back the things that make your life---the good life.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

GETTING INTO REWIRING MODE


When I was younger, and I do believe that that is a relative term, we used to say "get into gear!" I'm sure that there were many different interpretations, but to me it meant get ready to take action...whether it was going to a Big 10 football game, to a party, to take an exam...it didn't matter, it was about getting your head into a new place. So I was surprised when I unexpectedly used that expression last week in a speech to a roomful of men, aged 65 to 98.

These men were realizing that their longevity was giving them the time to pursue more dreams. As one man said, "I'm still waking up every day, so why should I stop trying new things?" Obviously I love that attitude and view it as one of the ingredients for successful aging.

My comment about "getting into gear" brought forth many questions from them about how to get into gear to rewire.

Now let me say that yes, there is a complete rewiring process and exercises in our book, DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! but I came up with more ideas that I have listed below:

1.) Write down up to five words that someone who loves you or who you value would use to describe you. Don't edit the list, either mentally or physically, absorb it. Are you outgoing, spunky, brilliant, clever, kind? whatever...if someone put it down, they perceive you that way.

2.)Think about how you do or don't demonstrate those characteristics in your life today. You could be demonstrating those characteristics through your paid work, volunteer work, or in your leisure time. It could be through cooking, organizing events, singing in a choir?

3.) Write down your dream vision of how you wish the world was.

4.) Write down the dream vision for your life.

5.) Try to craft a sentence of how you could incorporate who you are with what you wish the world was like.
6.) Now imagine that this is a beginning for your rewiring plan.

There is nothing easy about change, but there are tools that can help you on your rewiring journey, regardless of your age! We all need to take our dreams and put action behind them. Once you do that, you have a greater shot of making your dream, a reality!

Monday, September 21, 2009

DON'T GET STUCK IN THE CAREER PIPELINE!


It's Fall and I'm back on the road talking to individuals across the United States about how and why they should constantly be rewiring their lives at work and at play. In addition to my normal Boomers and beyond group, I now meet 30 and 40 year olds who are curious about why and how they could rewire and set themselves up for a better future.


With four generations in the workplace, and the pipelines of promotion getting clogged with boomer bodies, it isn't surprising that everyone is looking for new ideas and ways to manuveur in the workplace. We have discovered that the rewiring process we created for DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! is in reality a non-age specific life enhancement tool. I know that this is a mouthful, but that is exactly what rewiring is all about! Life enhancement regardless of age !



If you are feeling stuck in your work role for whatever reason don't abandon hope.

After you have done an attitude check on yourself, consider the following:

1.) to look for new things to do at work that would further advance your career


2.) to identify those drivers, personal motivators, that make you tick at work


3.) to find new avenues to fulfill those drivers on the job


4.) to not feel that adding new tasks would zap energy, but rather increase your energy


5.) to decide that this is the time to learn a new skill or two that you have been postponing


5.) to accept that a lateral move can positively impact your career


6.) to remember that up is NOT the only way


7.) to believe that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side


8.) to believe that Boomers will retire from their jobs one day and rewire into their next acts


9.) to position your self well for when Boomers leave and the pipeline reopens


10.) to always demonstrate a positive attitude so you stand out as a real team player



The above won't guarantee success, but using these ideas definitely set you apart from the pack!


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

JAY LENO REWIRES HIMSELF and NBC!



I became a Jay Leno fan years ago. I was bummed to see him moved aside for Conan but since I do work in the mature worker category I understood what was happening. At 59 I knew that Jay was not ready to stop working...and why should he? If you love what you do, why stop? To me it is very apparent that to Jay "work is fun!" Some of you might be shocked when you read this ...work and fun in the same sentence, you ask? Isn't that an oxymoron? For some yes, but NOT FOR EVERYONE! and definitely not for Jay Leno!

I won't surmise what Jay's drivers are, although we do identify 85 drivers, or motivators in DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! for why we all work beyond a paycheck. If Ihad to guess I would say that he has a high need for accomplishments, to stay creative and to be competitive.


And to do that he had to take a risk and so did NBC, hence the birth of The Jay Leno Show! Rewiring is about moving energy into new and different areas, which is what they both did, and now we literally need to stay tuned to watch how Jay's rewirement goes. There are always critics and supporters and remember rewirings do not happen over night.


Let's be honest---the future is about risk. Will it be worse to take a risk, or to not take one? That is the question that many boomers will have to ask themselves. You need to know yourself: are you risk oriented, risk averse or somewhere in between?


When we choose to rewire we need to face the reality that a lot of it has to do with risk AND reward. So I'm advocating that regardless of the economy or challenges that we are facing, that each of us takes the time to assess our drivers and to analyze our own risk factor. And while we're doing that let's see how Jay rewires. His rewiring is on TV...five nights a week...in front of the world. Ours isn't, so take a small step toward rewiring yourself. For most of us our rewiring will not be covered by the media!




Wednesday, August 19, 2009

CREATE YOUR OWN FUN TO DO LIST!

Plans change. You can either become upset or see the change as an opportunity. That's what we did when a friend's business plans forced our weekend plans with them to be cancelled. My first thought was, "ok, what's something on our list that we have wanted to do but haven't done yet, for whatever reason?"

First, let me say that there is something inherently important built into that question, and it is.."do you have a fun to do list?" If not , why not? I want to turn the traditional thinking about to-do lists on its head! I interviewed several people who all told me that they view to-do lists as drudgery, as work to be done, as have - to do's vs. want-to do's!

Wait a minute...maybe this is the time to create a fun to do list of things that will give you fun, enjoyment, or just plain good times! It's time to rewire our thinking about fun and to sit down and identify with whom and where we have our best fun times. During these times of economic challenge knowing what makes you tick at work AND at play is critical!

I went to my fun to do list and thought --could this be the weekend to explore yoga in more detail, (and to include my husband in the process) and attend a wonderful concert or two at the Tanglewood Music Center in the Berkshires. I got on line and checked out the KRIPALU Yoga Center catalogue and discoverd that they were offering a weekend of YOGA, MINDFULNESS and MUSIC at Tanglewood! I thought how perfect...combining yoga and Yo-Yo Ma! for me it doesn't get much better than that!

You may hate yoga. The truth is , it doesn't matter what your event or activity is. My challenge to you is that you don't just fill time with whatever. Starting today take the time to get to know yourself better. It all begins with you identifying where you get your fun...and with whom you are having the good times. And if you are not having enough fun, begin to make it a priority.

AND remember fun does NOT have to come with a big price ticket!


Thursday, July 30, 2009

IDEAS FOR FINDING A NON-PROFIT CAREER


Many people have been dreaming about pursuing a career in the non-profit world. They imagined rewiring into an encore career that would be truly "meaningful." Then the economy collapsed and they "tabled" their dreams! Dreams may need to be altered or slowed down but they don't have to be discarded!


Life has always been complex and there are few absolutley perfect times to make a career move. We believe that this is a good time to start doing your due diligence on your dream: start exploring your self and some actual encore career opportunities.


Michael Watson, Senior Vice President of the Girl Scouts, and a former corporate executive who rewired into the nonprofit world, and I believe so strongly in this topic and in your future that we wrote an article for encore.org entitled: "Finding A Nonprofit Career During Tough Times."

Our goal in writing the article was to be both practical and inspirational and offer tips to jump start your thinking and acting.


Don't be put off by the economy. The challenge for all of us is to figure out what The New Normal will be like; your New Normal could include an encore career, and it might be right around the corner so start exploring!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

STAYING MOTIVATED TAKES EFFORT


I was recently with a group of friends who asked if every now and then I could do a blog offering a few motivational tips. I agreed but also reminded them about a great line from Ecclesiastes that I have paraphrased here--"there is really nothing new under the sun..." People keep waiting, wishing and hoping for that silver bullet... but there is no silver bullet and Wishin' and Hopin' is a song by Dusty Springfield, not a way to live your life! What would be new and different is if everyone chose to try something new!" so here are a few VERY obvious ideas!


1. Write down what's on your mind. In other words get a piece of paper and let it rip...even stream of consciousness writing...goals, obstacles, dreams, whatever. I know, I know--you're readng this and thinking you've got to be kidding--- it sounds so basic, so boring. Take it from me,I know that getting the ideas out of your head and onto paper---or the computer, allows you the chance to reflect on them in a whole new way.


2.Get out of your usual "space." A friend who is in transition and trying to figure out her next act has been sitting in her apartment, day after day, trying to figure out her future.Looking at those same old walls is not going to get her to her next..and might even be pretty depressing. I told her..."go to Starbucks," be around people. Her comment was "too distracting." Ok, I said then go to the public libray." "Too quiet," she said. Which led me to say, "Then I guess you really don't want another opportunity, if you're finding an excuse for everything I've suggested!" Remember, friends care but they have their limits!But I felt good when she said," I went to sit in the park with a Starbucks and that felt right." The point is, find what s right for you but often we have to change our lens to get recharged and motivated.

3. Get off your behind. Exercise. Increasing your heart rate ups your energy level to tackle goals, and new thinking. When people say, "I'm too tired to exercise," that's when you need to get out there. But be wise and don't overdue if this is a new idea for you.

4. Focus on the Finish. When undertaking a lengthy and difficult project , especially something you don’t want to do, imagine what you would like to be doing when finished—and make the task a priority. This applies at work, at play,or working around the house. Focus on the finale!


5. Keep your “WHY” in front of you. Know WHY you are doing something...or not doing something. It might sound silly but put a picture of your goal as your screen saver; on your desk, or if you're a magnet person on your refrigerator! I want you to be able to see it often.

I told you they were pretty basic tips, just spiced up with a few new twists and angles! A little bit of rewiring goes along way!

NEW INSIGHTS FROM OLD MATERIAL

I had lunch lunch yesterday with a retired 82 year old friend who happens to be a psychiatrist. We covered a lot of topics and I wasn't surprised to hear him say how stress was at the highest level he had ever seen. In fact he told me that old clients were calling him just to "check in."

I often say that the work I do is rather like therapy but without the couch so to that point today's blog is a list of practical things we can all think about in these evolving times.
People will often ask me "what can we do to get through this?"

I know that the "this" they refer to runs the gamut from work, family, financial, to emotional challenges, based on their circumstances so here is a list of thoughts and ideas that I have been compiling. MOST OF THESE IDEAS ARE NOT NEW! What makes them new for you-- is is you use them!


So as the world is looking to create The New Normal so should you be! So here goes...
1. If you will change, everything will change for you.

2. Spend time and money to do things that count.

3. Don’t spend too much time or money on things that don’t count.

4. Instead of getting through the day, think of what you get from the day.

5. There is no such thing as "perfect."


6. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Practice makes permanent.


7. Get yourself on some type of an activity or fitness plan.

8. Clean up your neglect--of your body, your spirit, your skills.

9. Spend money on the inside of your head if you need it.

10.Get out of your own way.
Short sentences can carry a lot of "punch."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Watching Three Generations Slug It Out on the Tennis Court

As Senior Advisor at The Conference Board much of my work focuses on generational challenges, or as I like to say, opportunties, especially those targeted to the mature worker--remember that is anyone over the age of 40! (as designated by the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967. ) So I was thrilled to be invited to attend the ADVANTA WORLD TEAM TENNIS PRO LEAGUE to see the stars of tomorrow, the top players of today, and the legends of the game competing hard and fast, together.

I loved watching all of the players and was blown away by John McEnroe (50) and Martina Navratilova (52). What really struck me is that yes, they are older players but it goes to show that you can stay in the game by sharing the court with new talent! And just look at this picture of Martina just completing a great serve!

These "older legends" are brilliant tennis players and winners of too many major titles to list here. McEnroe and Navratilova are fit, attractive and using all of their skills. I am always looking at the world through my rewiring lens and what I saw is two outstanding players who have realized that new and younger talent are in the pipeline, and rather than say " my days are over" these guys have gotten into a new game with this young talent.

Is it a type of mentoring? Knowledge transfer? Coaching? Call it what you will; I see a correlation with today's maturing workforce and workplace. Rather than focus on our generational differences let's all find a way to stay in the game, learn from and respect each other and win!

It's all about rewiring our mindsets!



Thursday, July 2, 2009

DISCOVERING MY INTEREST IN JAZZ

I've been telling people that we all need to "rewire early and to rewire often." What I mean is that we constantly need to be looking at our life and adding and deleting activities, interests, even relationships. We need to learn how to discard and how to add. Many people across the country have told me that they don't have a hobby, or even an interest. They've become too family and work -oriented, or just tired, and they've lost their fun.

I don't remember how, where or why but a few years ago I developed a low level interest in jazz. I stress the word, low level, because I want everyone to realize that passions don't just happen...they build. I wasn't just listening to jazz, I found myself at Jazz At Lincoln Center ; I watched the Ken Burns video on JAZZ. I'm someone who needs to know the background on a topic..how did jazz get birthed? What makes jazz, jazz? Where does Miles or "Bird" or Dizzy fit in? Why were they considered great?

One of my personal drivers in life is to constantly be learning. To give me a jumpstart, Michael Bomwell, a New York-based jazz saxaphonist, lent me The Smithsonian Collection of Classical Jazz. It is great! I am really understanding Jazz, the Blues, Ragtime and Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton!

I'm also reading the VERY colorful autobiography of MILES DAVIS and can say that there appears to be a lot of regret, recovery and fulfillment in the world of jazz artists. As my interest has been growing, I have been doing more exploring, and just discovered that a colleague from my days at WORKING WOMAN magazine, Marc Myers, writes one of the web's most popular daily blogs, JazzWax.com. Marc's writing has also been exciting and his love and knowledge of jazz makes reading his blog a joy and an overall experience! So my rewiring has allowed me to reconnect with a friend and get great jazz insights on a daily basis!

Yes, life is still challenging; unemployment is up and the Dow is down (at least today it is!) but the erraticness of life seems to be a bit more managable now that I have a new interest to explore and "cool" jazz constanly playing in the background. So how about it... are you ready to rewire and find your new fun?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

REWIRE ON THE JOB---and KEEP YOUR JOB!


These tough economic times know no boundaries! Canada, like the United States, is now going through its worst recession since the 1930's and many Canadians, are looking to refocus their careers and their lives.

I was flattered when the Toronto Sun picked my brains for ideas on how to use the rewiring process to help their readers refocus their life at work and play. I think that it's a greater challenge to enact change when you are living in the middle of change itself, but I totally believe it's possible to take back some control in our lives--- in fact I think it is actually highly desirable! You might be thinking --"no way"--but the truth is, we are in greater control of our lives than we realize.


I know that it's hard to imagine that, especially on days where we feel totally out of it but take the time to read the Toronto Sun article---the tips and new ideas I present work regardless of where you live, work or play!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

DANCING WITH THE STARS CONTESTANTS ARE GREAT ROLE MODELS OF REWIRING!



Dancing with the Stars is a terrific metaphor for Rewiring™. The celebrities involved are almost always people who achieved a level of fame, but now the reason for that fame is fading, faded--or gone. But they still want to be visible and known for something.

The stars I’m talking about weren't trained as dancers. But like great dancers, these actors and athletes almost always are willing to make a sacrifice. Actors wait on tables and athletes strain almost daily at the gym. In the case of dancing, all of them had to learn a whole new set of skills. They are always drawing on strengths from their past, whether that's talent, discipline, courage, or simply the ability to make people want to root for them.

Significant is the fact that none of them rewire alone. They seek out encouragement and training from a variety of sources, from their primary dancing instructors to the parade of motivators that surface during their training and performances. By taking the risk of looking foolish, failing, or having people say they should have stayed retired or out of the limelight, they have opened themselves up to new opportunities. There is a lesson here for all of us.

Friday, May 15, 2009

WORKING OUT AND WALKING ARE GREAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY SPORTS

I've heard that during times of change and challenge that people take to working out more. I was curious to see if there was any data to support this notion, and discovered that the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association had some very interesting findings.


Since a lot of the work I do has to do with mature workers, remember that is any one over the age of 40, (I know many of you may be freaking!) I have a high interest in that group. I learned that the most popular athletic activities among people 55+ are fishing and golf followed by fitness walking, treadmill exercise, stretching, and the use of hand weights.

Since people are watching their money, I love the fact that walking, stretching, and lifting weights are free or inexpensive, and in this economy, that sounds pretty good. In fact The Wall Street Journal had a great editorial by Cameron Stracher called RUNNING FOR LEAN TIMES.

I live in New York City, and have run in the MORE mini- marathon, but more importantly for me, I walk alot. The health benefits of walking are huge. Walkers are a lot healthier than their sedentary friends. Walking reduces the chances for cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and if these aren't good enough reasons to put on your sneakers or comfortable shoes I don't know what are! Yes it means that you have to rewire your mindset and view walking as fun and as a positive move, and not as drudgery!
And by the way, when you walk you will want to stretch before and after. And that means you've participated in two positive sports!! So go for it. And start out slowly; don't overdue and don't try to prove that you're a jock if you're not!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

YOGA CAN KEEP YOU YOUNG


I had been saying that I wanted to build yoga in to my life for awhile now. And like many of you, I live in the land of good intentions (it sounds better than saying the land of procrastination) and some things get done faster than others. But I'm pleased to say that practicing yoga and trying to live what I call a yoga life--- are now a part of my life. I always knew that yoga was good for my body, soul and spirit but I was even more thrilled when a friend sent me the article entitled: "YOGA'S GRANNY SWAMI"http://www.news.com.au/


Bette Calman is an 83 year old yoga instructor who has no problem doing a headstand and has taught the spirit of yoga for over 40 years. She is an inspiration on every level. As I travel the country giving people ideas on how they can rewire their life I now add ---and try yoga. Be aware that there are many different types of yoga and yogis so you may try a few different classes before you find one that feeds your spirit and soul.

If you want to do some homework, read YOGA JOURNAL or check out The Everything Yoga blog at http://www.itsallaboutyoga.com/.
Namaste



Monday, May 11, 2009

Suzanne Braun Levine Does It Again!


The whole "age thing" can rock people. Some people out there are denying their age; even denying to themselves that they're getting older. And then some people I know, not many, but some, say they are actually older than they really are so others will think they look terrific for their age! ( and can you imagine one time the culprit was my own little sister!) She got back into yoga and living right and quickly returned to her senses.

But it is the French philosophy that I love. They say "you have to feel good in your own skin." For all I know the French could be big fans of plastic surgery but regardless I still think it's a wonderful philosophy to live by.

And now Suzanne Braun Levine's new book, FIFTY Is the New Fifty, offers a great new philosophy that I think many of us have been waiting for! The book is honest, practical, inspiring even a little irreverant and everyone should read it and LIVE IT! And if you want to know more or subscribe to her newsletter visit http://www.suzannebraunlevine.com/.
You keep us in the present and honest Suzanne!

Monday, April 20, 2009

DOCTORS SAY- DON'T RETIRE! and LIVE TO 100!



It's one thing for me to say to people, don't retire, but it's a whole other thing when doctors and medical research supports my belief! Deborah Kotz of USNews, recently wrote an article, entitled: 10 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100. I've included a few pertinent paragraphs below.

The biggest factor that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A new study published in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits by following these 10 habits:

1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

Now do you belive me when I tell you take the time to read Don't Retire, REWIRE! You won't be sorry!





JOB SITES FOR MATURE WORKERS


I did a program this weekend in West Bloomfield, Michigan entitled: PRIME TIME OVER 50 sponsored by Jewish Vocational Services of Detroit. http://www.jvsdet.org/. JVS does outstanding work for a wide variety of constituents and employs some of the most compassionate, caring people that I have ever had the opoporutnity to work with!

The audience was comprised of several hundred energetic people who were all in some type of work transition. I gave them what I call one of my Meat and Motivation presentations which included the following job sites. I think they're some of the best and wanted to share them with you. I hope you find them helpful:

And one that is very comprehensive and chocked full of info is http://www.seniorjobbank.org/!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

JERI REWIRES BY PLAYING POKER!


I decided to rewire some of my fun a few weeks ago and took a poker class!
I needed to add something active, not passive to my life, and a lunch n' learn event on poker sounded great. Not only did I learn to play, but I won! Check me out at

http://www.pokerdivas.com/category/news-and-events

Playing poker fulfilled many of my personal "drivers." Those 85 motivators that we identified in DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! My drivers include having a need to have new and different experiences and to be current. I realized that today's challenges were zapping me of my energy and positive spirit and that I was yearning to do something new! So off to a PokerDivas class I went! It was everything I wanted and MORE !

Are you in a rut? Feeling like you want to get away, but can't? Ask yourself if you are getting enough "driver" fulfillment? And if the answer is no, then take the time today to see what you can add to your life! Make the time to Rewire! Your future fun is waiting!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Rewirement Tips for Mature* Job Seekers - March 2009

These challenging economic times have resulted in many downsizings, rightsizings, layoffs or whatever you want to call it –people are losing their jobs, or waiting for the next shoe to drop! The idea of Rewiring®, originally developed for pre and post retirees, is now a process for everyone. We all need to know how and why and where to rewire.

I’m still traveling around the country talking to large audiences about the future on how they can tailor their job search. I’m also doing small group work helping people to rewire themselves in their current work or to secure a new work option. There are many good sites but I still find TheLadders.com a good one especially for the $100,000+ candidate.

The following are additional tips that I recently shared with an audience. They are a combination of substance and style and exemplify my belief that getting a job today, in these highly competitive times, demands that we be more strategic in our job search.
  • View yourself as a product: It’s competitive out there. Ask yourself: Why should someone hire me?
  • Network, network, network- on-line and LIVE!: If you don’t like the word, network, think connecting, relationship building.
  • Elevate the conversation with a potential employer: Get more aggressive. Ask specific questions about the job.
  • Demonstrate mental agility: Cite examples where you can show how flexible and adaptable you are.
  • Look the part: Appearance and presentation still matter. Don’t kid yourself.
  • Match your drivers to the job description: Read DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! to discover your drivers, or motivators, and see how they correlate to professional success and fulfillment.
  • Discover how to differentiate yourself from the pack: Don’t associate only with the same age cohort! Pick up new trends and ideas from all four generations.
  • Articulate what you can offer an employer: Don’t wait for the interviewer to ask about your strengths, tell them.
  • Demonstrate that you are up to speed with “new” skills: Don’t get old and rusty in your technology or leadership skills.
  • You’ve got the experience; have energy and enthusiasm, too: This is the great triumvirate. There is no replacement for the BIG THREE.
  • Manage your expectations: Need I say more?
* As defined in the 1967 Age Discrimination Employment Act

CAPITALIZE ON THE LONGEVITY REVOLUTION!











I recently attended a seminar at DEMOS, a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization headquartered in New York City. Demos works with advocates and policymakers around the country in pursuit of four overarching goals:

  • a more equitable economy with widely shared prosperity and opportunity

  • a vibrant and inclusive democracy with high levels of voting and civic engagement
  • an empowered public sector that works for the common good
  • responsible U.S. engagement in an interdependent world
DEMOS, http://www.demos.org/, does great work in terms of Ideas and Action! I went to their event to hear the brilliant Dr. Robert Butler, founder of The International Longevity Center http://www.ilcusa.org/ talk about the realities of living longer. His new book, THE LONGEVITY REVOLUTION, is terrific for professionals and lay people. The focus is on the benefits and challenges of living a long life---a subject that I think that we all need to know more about!


Dr. Butler has great delivery and great insights...and when he told the audience to exercise and work to strengthen their thighs so we can always climb stairs I knew he was right on!! What a great message for all of us Boomers!

From my standpoint I think that to really get this longevity revolution right, we need to rewire ourselves mentally, physically and civically for starters!

Friday, March 20, 2009

LEARN TO PLAY TEXAS HOLD 'EM



During these challenging times I've decided to try new and different things that are fun, inexpensive, and getting me out of my comfort zone. And if I can learn a thing or two along the way, that's terrific so that's how I ended up at the YMHA, better known as the 92nd Street Y Tribeca http://www.92y.org/92YTribeca in New York City.

I wanted to learn to play poker. I'm from a card playing family in Michigan but have gotten rusty through the years. My goal was to learn the game, get a group of friends together once a month to play cards, to get caught up, do some networking, and do something that challenged the mind and was active, not passive! Basically I was Rewiring my fun time!


I took a lunch time class called- POKERDIVAS. Their motto is "If you want to be in the game, you have to be at the table." They have a great site: http://www.pokerdivas.com/.
In one class, with a highly talented "teacher," Ellen Leikind, I learned the basics and am ready to go! I met great women, from entrepreneurs and nurses to corporate executives and policy makers.


If you're in New York take the class, but also think about learning the game. From a career standpoint learning TEXAS HOLD'Em has several benefits beyond fun and learning to bluff well:

  • develop strategic skills

  • learn to read the competition

  • become more of a risk taker

All good skills for managing the work world regardless of your position! and it's a lot of fun!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

DON'T COUNT THE "OLD DOGS" OUT!


I'm an animal lover. Animals are one of my passions, and in fact I would love to be a vet's assistant one day (maybe that will be a part of a future rewiring!) but for now I get my thrills from going to events such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Watching the dogs compete is wonderful but going behind the scenes is the best. It's upfront and personal and being close to the dogs feeds my soul! And when Stump, the 10 year-year old Sussex spaniel, (that's 70 in human years!) who had just come out of retirement, won Best in Show in New York City Tuesday night, no one cheered louder than me!


It wasn't just for Stump that I was cheering but rather for all mature workers, both four and two footed! As Senior Advisor at The Conference Board on the Mature Workforce, my mission is to challenge organizations to continue to recognize the talent and productivity of experienced workers. It's crazy that in 1967, the Age Discrimination Employment Act, designated 40 as the age of the Mature Worker. Since we are living on average another 20 to 25 years after the age of 65, some things have got to change!


We all have to rewire our thinking and actions about the future! Stump is my new hero---right up there with US Airways pilot Sully Sullenberger! Let's hear it for mature workers!






Thursday, February 5, 2009

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR THE 2009 PURPOSE PRIZE?




I am thrilled by some of the innovative and socially rewarding things that people 60 years and older are doing as "encore careers." (People under 60 are doing cool things too, but today I'm focused on 60+!) I am an advocate of people rewiring and when you see people doing things that are fulfilling their own needs and society's, you can't help but get excited.
Civic Ventures, the fantastic organization spearheaded by my friend, Marc Freedman, is looking for nominations for the next 10 winners of The Purpose Prize. The Purpose Prize is a $100,000 award for people over age 60 who have created new ways to solve social issues. From healthcare to education, to global warming to poverty reduction, winners of The Purpose Prize have been recognized for using their experience, wisdom, and skills to figure out new methods and/or organizations for improving communities both here and abroad. Click here to read about Purpose Prize winners.

I have met some prior winners, (who I consider to be great rewiring role models!) and have to admit that they are truly living fulfilled lives, while enriching the lives of others. I know that some of you are also doing great work, or know others who are so here is your opportunity to nominate yourself or another for the 2009 Purpose Prize award.

It's easy to do the nomination at www.encore.org/prize. The deadline is March 5, 2009.

So maybe you're not a candidate this year, but at least take a moment now and think---what issues are out there today that interest me? and that I would want to change? That is the beginning of the rewiring process that puts you on the pathway to your encore career!















Tuesday, February 3, 2009

REWIRING GURU TAKES HER OWN ADVICE


During these times of challenge and change, I have been telling audiences of all ages, and at all stages of life, that they have to rewire. Rewiring is not something you do in, or for the future, it's something you should be doing every day of your life. The truth is, few people enact change in their lives until they are forced to.


I'm not talking about BIG changes, nor am I talking about work-related change only. Rewiring is about changing, now. Rewiring impacts how you are living your life, today. In a recent speech I challenged an audience to leave the program, and to go out and add some fun into their life. I asked that they do something different than normal, and that they think about how it fulfilled one of their drivers, as identified in our book, DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! My challenge was to get everyone to do something that was fun and out of their comfort zone.


It was apparent that some people were totally ready for more fun, and just were waiting for someone (me!) to say go for it!


Others were less enthusiastic and it showed. One guy said, "So rewiring guru, have you made any changes?" So to my readers and friends, yes is the answer. I took my first belly dancing class last night at The Open Center in New York City with the dancer, Safiya.


I was not only way out of my comfort zone but I was also one of the oldest women in the class

(I wondered where all of the other boomers were??) The reality was, I loved the class! and I filled one of my drivers, which is to have new experiences---and boy did I ever!


I rewired some of my energy into doing something that was totally new to me---not very expensive---where I was with people I didn't know---where I discovered a new from of exercise---and where I woke up today feeling great!


So folks---I'll ask the question, what's stopping you from doing a little rewiring today?




Wednesday, January 28, 2009

OLDER WORKERS NEED NEW IDEAS AND INSIGHTS TO STAY COMPETITIVE

We're almost one month into 2009 and the market is still volatile, unemployment numbers continue to creep up as the Consumer Confidence Index goes down. I've been on the road a lot working with organizations and individuals who are in transition or think that they might be in the near future. I don't want to appear as a gloom and doom person...I really am a realistic optimist but having said that---I tell people "not to assume that their work life can't or won't change any time soon!" I think that this is the right time for all of us to adopt the Scout motto---BE PREPARED!

I have a particular focus on the older worker and was recently interviewed on the subject of rewiring for older workers...a topic near and dear to my own heart.(Remember in the United States a mature worker is anyone over the age of 40!)

Please read my interview on George's Employment Blawg http://www.employmentblawg.com/.
I tried to be as straight-forward as possible in sharing strategies and tactics for getting the job or getting the overall next act right!

Stay tuned! We will be adding advice for the Wise Job-Seeker. Helpful hints to get you where you need to go.