REWIRE! - Jeri Sedlar's Notes From The Road

A BUCKET LIST DREAM FULFILLED!

2011-12-13T08:58:00.018-05:00

I'm conflicted. I liked the movie, THE BUCKET LIST, but I'm not a fan of the term, "bucket list" because it evokes the idea of "end of life." But when my little sister called from San Antonio last July to say that her husband had told her that skating at Rockefeller Center was on his bucket list, I said what's stopping you? Not everyone has a sister living in New York City so get those plane tickets! And they did.

A big part of my work, and my philosophy is to challenge people to identify their dreams, then go for it and make them a reality. The Bucket List has two components. First you have to create your list, and that takes time and a lot of thinking. The second part is executing what you have out on your list. It's true, some Bucket List goals are bigger than others and take more planning not to mention money, to make happen. But once you put a dream down on your Bucket List accept that it's there because you really want to make it happen. Only the things that you really want to have happen in your life deserve a place on that list!

So now it's happened--my brother in law has successfully completed one of the key items on his Bucket List...he skated underneath the tree at Rockefeller Center and loved it! He hadn't skated in over 15 years and took to the ice like a duck takes to water. He whirled, he twirled..he pretended he was at the Olympics and lived in the moment. He purposely picked the 4:30pm session so he would experience the setting sun on the buildings surrounding the rink not to mention seeing the tree sparkling.

Skating wasn't on my sister's Bucket List but being a trooper she went out on the ice and proceeeded to fall and sprain her wrist! The point is...what's on your Bucket List should be personally yours. My sister was the conduit but my brother in law was the catalyst...he dared to tell her his dream.

My brother in law sure looks happy in that picture, doesn't he?...just imagine that could be you! Recent Bucket List ideas I have heard include bicycling through France, going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,visiting the Civil War battle fields,and going to Fashion Week at Lincoln Center...they sure cover a gamut of ideas, don't they?

So what's on your list? Do you even have a list? If not, why not? And if yes,how many of the activities on your Bucket List have you made a reality? Isn't it time to rewire your thinking about life..your dreams...and your list? I don't care what you call your list, I just care that you create one!

I'm 55. What Do I Do Now?

2011-11-17T22:42:00.013-05:00

I recently attended a roundtable event sponsored by New York Senator Liz Krueger entitled: The Graying of the American Workforce: “Planning Ahead:Boomers & Seniors Living In the 21st Century.”

It was the first of a 5-Part Series for Boomers and Seniors, and during this first session, The Graying of the American Workforce panelists addressed age discrimination, reinventing yourself as preparation to re-enter the workforce, and what does it mean to “give back” in the second half of life.The room was packed with women and men, at least 50+ who were eager to get back in the game.

It is a fact that age discrimination exists but many people 50+ are finding new and creative ways to rewire their energy into new jobs and project opportunities. A representative from the Freelancers Union told the audience that 30% of the country's workforce are freelancers.The reality is that freelancers are left out of the social support system and often lack health insurance, unemployment insurance, retirement plans and basic labor protections. Not surprisingly she was advocating the very positive benefits of joining the Freelancers Union.

She also told the group how to reposition their skills; market themselves and price for their services. If you are stuck and don't know how to go forward take the time to check out the Freelancers Union. Another benefit is networking events that will help you network yourself into hopefully some new and exciting gigs.

I'm passing along this information because I think people might find some new and unexpected answers. You don't have to be 55 to be asking yourself the question what do I do now? People of all ages are wondering where, how and if they will be able to continue to work. Just remember this, you're not alone.

Tickling the Ivories at Age 96

2011-10-19T08:33:00.033-05:00

Frank Sinatra isn't the only one who did it his way. Irving Fields may not be as famous as old blue eyes, but he is one of the oldest entertainers still performing---making audiences laugh, cry, enjoy and remember. Friends of ours recently heard him play in New York City and tipped us off to this energized and energizing man. Irving is 96 years young and still goes to work, playing the piano at clubs and hotels around the city. He started playing piano when he was 8 years old and has never stopped. He has tickled the 88's at places like Carnegie Hall, the Taj Mahal, the London Palladium and the old Copa Cabana.

We think Irving is a great life teacher, with lessons for all of us. Irving learned that doing the same thing, over and over, can lead to staleness, for himself and his audiences. So he often changed his repetoire, rewiring his music, to attract younger audiences and to keep older audiences coming back to enjoy new sounds and beats. In fact he is credited with popularizing the Latin beat in the 1940's and creating other themes with albums such as Bagels and Bongos, Pizzas and Bongos, and Bikinis and Bongos. His style changes not only challenged his thinking and skills but it kept him from falling into a comfort zone. And also gave his audiences new experiences and the opportunity for greater enjoyment!

Is he a role model for musicians? You bet. Is he a role model for all of us? We think so! In our work with pre and post retirees, we have met many people who want to continue going strong into the future; we believe that Irving Fields shows the power and payoffs of rewiring oneself. He sets a good example of what to do right.

Fields demonstrates that we all need to change with the times if we want to keep our audiences, clients, customers, friends even our partners or spouses. Learning new music has become part of his daily routine. Learning new things should be a daily routine for all of us. But is it? What was the last new thing you tried? Are you doing "the same old, same old" and wondering why you aren't getting satisfaction, or the new client,the new gig or even the new friend? People of all ages need to constantly hit their own refresh button.

In the work we do, we especially believe that growing older doesn't mean growing stale, or even worse, becoming bored or boring or invisible. So keep playing in your chosen area...and like Irving, we hope you will continue to find life's meaning and purpose in whatever you do. Sometimes your life will be loud, sometimes soft, but it will be sustaining regardless of your age.

Running for your life at 100

2011-10-17T11:37:00.013-05:00

This past weekend Fauja Singh completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. No big deal, except Fauja is 100 years old. He was born in 1911 in India. He ran as a youth but gave it up. When he was 89 his wife and son died unexpectedly. He became very depressed and was running out of reasons to live. But it was running that saved him.

Singh claims his secret to an extended life is no alcohol or smoking, a vegetarian diet with lots of curries, and tea. Importantly, daily exercise is his mainstay. "I have said it before: that I will carry on running, as it is keeping me alive," he told the Toronto Marathon website. He walks or runs at least 10 miles a day.

Fauja Singh is a role model for all of us. Not because he broke a marathon record, but because he was willing to try something new...or old...running. We all need to recognize that finding an activity or interest that is meaningful and purposeful will not only add years to our life, but will add life to our years. We tell everyone to REWIRE! Rewiring is trying new activities, reconnecting with old interests or finding new ones. The focus is not just doing for the sake of being busy, but doing it because it is fulfilling, interesting and fun. Having a reason to get up in the morning makes all the difference in the world as we grow older.

You don't have to be a marathoner. If collecting stamps, hiking, birding, learning to enjoy opera, or any other activity that fulfills is your thing than do it. Make a committment and see the return on your new investment...in yourself! As Mr. Singh says, the first 20 miles are the hardest. After that it's a breeze.

Observing 9/11: Did You Reflect On Your Last 10 Years?

2011-09-12T06:20:00.015-05:00

We have lived through the 10th anniversary of September 11,2001, and saw the nation reflect on the tragic loss of life in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Living in New York City I found myself having more questions about that day, as well as more emotions than I had imagined that I would feel.

I heard so many of those who had lost loved ones say that 9/11 seemed like yesterday. I knew what they meant because although my own Father died 20 years ago next month, it still feels like I just saw him.

So along with mourning I decided to take some time, to stop, and to sit back to do a mental review of my own life over the past 10 years. I had been working on writing DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! on the morning the towers fell. The first edition of the book came out in 2002 and I became immersed in promoting it across the country. Having others discover their future happiness, helping them rewire became my goal, in a way my obsession. I think a lot of that passion was driven by the 9/11 tragedy, and the reality of the random loss of life, and the fear that it could happen to any of us.

I went year-by-year since 9/11, reflecting on ups and downs, decisions made, decisions not made,and took the time to think of cherished moments. I realized how many things occurred in those 10 years that were out of my control, and how many were in my control and that I had squandered.

One of my biggest take-aways was how quickly those 10 years really did pass.

So going forward I promised myself that I will not assume that I have all the time in the world to accomplish what I feel is important to me.

I will not throw away my time even if life is frustrating.

I will not find scapegoats for why I didn't do something.

I will create my "bucket list" even though I hate the word.

I will "Keep Calm and Carry On" and read books about my hero, Winston Churchill.

I will continue to add to this list, and live each day as if it were my last.

WINSTON CHURCHILL IS MY MAN!

2011-08-07T10:03:00.015-06:00

Each day it seems like we are facing more uncertainty, both collectively and individually. When people, such as retirees, Boomers, Gen X'ers, anyone asks me from a rewiring standpoint what they shoud do, or even read to stay ahead of change or in the game, I always cite my hero---Winston Churchill. He had many highs and lows in both his professional and emotional life. He experienced triumph and loss, but never wavered in his motto "never despair."

I remember how Mayor Rudy Guiliani often referred to Churchill after the tragedy of September 11th. Mayor Giuliani stated he borrowed his basic message from Winston Churchill's “ Finest Hour” speech. I'm not comparing today's challenges to the horror of 9/11, but rather saying that Churchill is a great role model for us as we face current problems and challenges. Churchill never gave up. That's why I believe we are seeing Churchill's motto "KEEP CALM and CARRY ON" plastered on posters, coasters, T-shirts, everywhere...it's just the right message for the times.

Through our research we know that people often feel helpless and hopeless,with little control. Things probably won't be corrected as soon as we would like, so maybe it's time to dust off (or rewire)some of our old thinking about money, life, relationships, even fun, in the hopes of discovering new and even better ways to carry on!

MAE WEST GOT IT RIGHT!

2011-08-07T09:12:00.012-06:00

No one will deny that it's challenging times at the "ranch"...financial volatility reigns and probably will for a while, and anxiety is currently running at twice the rate of depression. So now that I have depressed you, the question is ..so what are we to do? I've heard a range of comments and solutions, many which I couldn't publish here, but the reality is,there are no silver bullets,in fact there are no easy answers.But life will go on!

As I watched the Sunday morning news programs, and read the news, all I could think about was Mae West's famous line..."Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" Yes I am taking a little creative license with Mae's line, but for my purpose, bumpy ride equates to the economy, Congress, unemployment, America's debt, Europe's instability, you name it.

I don't see the bumpy road going away any time soon, and I feel that the more I accept that possibility, the easier it is to go on. I've had to rewire my own thinking; we didn't get into this place overnight, so we can't think we'll get on a smooth path overnight. To keep that message in front of us in a subtle, I'm recommending that all of us put a picture of Mae West on our refrigerators so we have a little reminder ...to buckle up but we will get through it!

STAYING MOTIVATED TAKES EFFORT

2011-07-27T12:59:00.005-06:00

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!

Dancing with the Stars:Entertainment or Inspiration?

2011-07-06T10:38:00.030-06:00

Recently I was talking to a friend about the television show Dancing with the Stars. She told me how much she liked watching it. I know it's popular and two years ago I blogged about how some of the stars had rewired their sagging careers by appearing on the show. It remains one of the highest rated tv shows in U.S. history. I asked myself, what is so terrific that makes viewers tune in to ABC every week since 2005 to watch lesser known stars who are nonprofessional dancers compete for a dance prize that has no monetary value?

I asked my friend why she liked it. Her response was awesome, and it wasn't just because handsome pro football player Hines Ward ( pictured above)appeared on the show and won. She didn't offer just one reason. There were many: seeing the competition, the energy, the costumes, the sacrifice, the raw emotions that overtake the winners and the losers, the willingness of the nonprofessional dancers to stretch themselves in an extremely physically demanding way, watching people who had lost prominence come back into the spotlight and give it their all.

Her last and most important reason summed it up, "They inspire me to want to try something new. Not dancing necessarily, but something that I have never done before and to take the risk that I might fail. I have lived too much in my own comfort zone and the clock is ticking"

In our book, Don't Retire, REWIRE! we advocate trying new things, rewiring personal energy and taking a risk knowing that you might fail. But if you don't try, you will never know if you would have been a failure or succeded to the point that it would change your in very positive ways. Dancing with the Stars is a metaphor for life. Don't forget you can just watch the show and let it be a brief distraction from your everyday life or at its best the show may inspire you to do something new. But ONLY you can take that inspiration and turn it into personal motivation. Whether its to get out there and dance, learn a new sport, try a new career, take a trip to someplace you have never been before, or volunteer to help others. I guess it all comes down to doing the dance of life, and we all know that learning new steps isn't always easy, but if you don't try.... You know what I mean.

Live to 150 Years Old? Do I Want To?

2011-07-05T08:47:00.033-06:00

I devour every article I can find on longevity. It is a tremendously important topic with broad reaching consequences for all of us. It's one of the reasons Rick and I wrote Don't Retire, REWIRE! If we are going to live longer, we better be constantly rewiring our minds and bodies to prepare for an extended future.

A recent article on the topic, brought me up short. The article, Who Wants to Live Forever? Scientist Sees Aging Cured, was written by Kate Kelland, the Reuters Health and Science Correspondent. She quotes Dr. Aubrey de Grey, the chief scientific officer of SENS, a non-profit foundation in California that specializes in rejuvenation therapy. He claims that the first person who will live to be 150 years old has already been born. The language used in the article is fairly technical and gives the scientific reasons why this can occur. Living to be 150 years old is scary to contemplate but I suspect not outrageous given the fact we have already had Jeanne Calment, a woman in France who lived to a documented age of 122.

But what I thought was equally interesting were some of the over 500 comments people left about the article on the internet. They were funny, thought - provoking and very honest-- a real stream of consciousness like we have with ourselves when the thought of living so long creeps into our psyche.

Among them were, "Does this mean the retirement age goes up to 140?"
"General Motors is going to hate this!!! My pension starts at 65!"
" I already feel like I'm 150 years old and I'm just past 50."
" Do I have to stay married to the same woman that long?????"
" Isn't earth crowded enough already."
" How many times can I transition to a new job?"
And then there are some I can't mention here, because they were a little too earthy!

The article concludes with the comment that "...the first person who will live to 1,000 is likely to be born less than 20 years after the first person to reach 150." Now that's a really scary thought! This is longevity run amuk. I guess we better rethink defunding NASA and start looking to the sky for more real estate. After all, where will we all live? As for Social Security and Medicare, there won't be enough paper to print the money needed. If we wait long enough, Mel Brooks' 2,000 year old man won't be fiction anymore.

Cornell University Has Bragging Rights For A First -Ever 80th Class Reunion

2011-06-22T10:23:00.043-06:00

It used to be that June was about brides and weddings, but as you get older you realize that June is really about reunions! All kinds of reunions will be going on this summer: camp, grade school, prep school,high school, college, family, military, plus sorority and fraternity reunions. In fact I'm heading out to San Diego in August for a Tri Delta sorority reunion. Reunions have become big business with websites like Classmates.com and e-magazines like reunionsmag.com making the planning of and attending reunions much easier than ever before.

Reunions have been around a long time, so what was the big deal with the Cornell University reunion?

It used to be that the last college reunion most graduates attended was their 50th reunion. Then it got pushed out to their 60th. After that no one was left or physically able to attend. But today longevity has created a new milestone.

Think about this... for the first time in history there has been an 80th Class Reunion. Cornell University hosted it earlier this month. There are 30 members of the Class of 1931 still living and several showed up to celebrate!

Was it to show their loyalty and love for their alma mater? Absolutley! Was it to visit with classmates and relive the fun of a shared experience of a long time ago? Definitely! Was it because they were still vital and engaged in life? YES! These people had not retired from life, they had rewired (probably many times) and were physically showing it!

You should know that even though many were over the age of 100, they weren't all helped into their chairs. One 100+ year old got up and sang the school fight song to the sound of thunderous applause. Many of this class are still active and involved in life, and have gone through a succession of rewirings.The result is that it has kept them vital and engaged in life. They have also taken care of themselves physically and emotionally.

The Gerontology Research Group keeps track of aging and reports that the United States has over 100,000 people over the age of 100. This number is predicted to grow into the millions over the next 40 years. Will it be you or me who reaches 100? On some levels a scary thought,and yet what a tremendous opportunity to do more things and to have more experience than anyone could have ever imagined.

So when I hear people say---oh why try something new I'll never live long enough to become good at it, from now on I will always challenge that attitude. The truth is, you never know which one of us will live to be 100! So with that thought I have decided that I want my own bragging rights...I want to bop 'til I drop! I want to still be singing and dancing with my sorority sisters when we're 100. Why not? If Cornell can brag about their graduates, why can't you and I brag about our lives? So my directive to everyone is as NIKE says--GO FOR IT---you might be around for alot longer than you ever imagined!

THE MATURE GUY WINS OUT!

2011-06-20T12:09:00.033-06:00

Most people think of sports as a young person's game. Yesterday Rory McIlroy, a 22 year old from Northern Ireland won the U.S. Open Golf Tournament breaking several records along the way including being the youngest person to ever win the Open. And yesterday an 80 year old man was rehired to be the new interim manager of the Florida Marlins baseball team. Jack McKeon was brought back to the team to help them get back on a winning track. He retired 6 years ago as the Manager. He wasn't invited back because he is 80 years old, but because he was good at his job, having guided the Marlins to the 2003 World Series Championship and steering them through many winning seasons. He began his professional baseball career in 1949 at the age of 19.

Now the jokes begin. I heard one this morning on the IMUS Show: Sitting in the dugout one of the players calls Jack's name over and over to let him know the game has started. The implication is that at 80 he is worn out and taking a nap. But the joke is on the teller not on Jack. He's got the job, the pay, the excitement and celebrity that comes with the territory. Enthusiastic and energized, Jack is doing something he loves. He would feel that way if he was 25, 50, or 80.

While almost 60 years separates them in age, they have a lot in common--their drivers(no pun intended). Drivers are the emotional fulfillment individuals get from the activities they participate in at work and at play. My guess is that among Jack and Rory's drivers are to be competitive, to challenge themselves, and to constantly be improving their skills and techniques. I am sure there are a few others as well. Knowing your drivers keeps you in the game regardless of age. Do you know yours?

Jack is not the oldest manager in baseball history. That honor goes to
Connie Mack. He managed the Philadelphia Athletics up until age 87. I believe that Connie Mack's record will fall in the next 20 years when we get our first 90 year old manager. If you think it can't happen, think again!

REWIRE and FLOURISH!

2011-04-12T13:01:00.019-05:00

Recently, Rick Miners, my co-author/business partner/husband and I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Martin Seligman, a psychology professor from the University of Pennsylvania speak at New York City's 92nd Street Y about his new book, Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. His previous book, Authentic Happiness was a best seller and made him the guru of “positive psychology.” We read it and recommended it to everyone. In his new book, FLOURISH, he identifies the 5 important steps to finding that which we all seek---living a life of fulfillment, meaning, and happiness. He is practical and tactical and recommends some practices that are very easy to understand, but require a little discipline. For example, if you want to wake up in the morning in a better mood that will sustain you all day long, before you go to bed write down 3 things that went well for you that day, e.g. what you learned, who did something nice for you, if you did something nice for someone else, etc. He forecasts that making this a habit will lead to a happier overall existence. Is it alchemy? Perhaps, but if it works, it doesn’t matter what it is. Read his book and find out for yourself. If you get the chance to hear Martin Seligman in person, GO! or even lsiten to one of his books on audio. You will be inspired, and definitley not disappointed. You'll even learn why you do certain things and why you don't. Seligman writes and speaks in a way that engages you on every level. Rewire and FLOURISH ..now that's a winning combination for living a fun and fulfilling future! Seligman's experiences and philosophy support many of the same things we recommend in Don't Retire, REWIRE!

Suze Orman and I Both Say Alter Your Expectations! New Comments Added!

2011-03-09T18:48:00.033-05:00

For the past year and a half my co-author/business partner/husband Rick Miners and I have been researching people's attitudes about the future. We were simultaneously tracking what we call Life's BIG Game Changers... fluctuating financial portfolios, joblessness, sandwich and generational issues not to mention health care, social security, and longevity challenges. We came to the conclusion that we should expect to live longer and probably with less money! And now as you read this we are imagining that you are letting out a collective OUCH! Since we have been sharing this message with audiences across the country for the past year we have heard that gasp many times!

With increased life expectancy (three million Boomers are expected to reach 100)and walloped financial portfolios we have been telling everyone that they need to rewire their thoughts AND actions about the future. We know that no one, especially Americans, want to believe that they might have to alter their expectations in any way. We have come to expect certain things at work, at play, in our lives overall. And let's face it, change goes down hard.

So as we were working on our book proposal, Suze Orman comes out with her new book,The Money Class,and everything we believe is right inside those paper or electronic pages! Suze is a no holds barred expert and she is out to help people create or re-imagine a new American Dream! I only wish we could have gotten her to recognize that our Rewiring process is THE WAY for people to jumpstart the process!

So after getting over the feeling of being scooped, we said,"we were on the right track, Suze just got there first!" And the great thing is, is that the message is getting out!

Both Suze and I agree that:
1.) you HAVE to be honest with yourself--it's now or never!
2.) it takes GUTS to do that but you won't get anywhere good if you don't!
3.) you need to create a New Dream based on reality, not fantasy!
4.) big and having more are NOT better---hence the mess we are in today!
5.) you WILL have to alter your expectations--even live below your means!

Suze knows the financials...whereas I know the qualitative part of life.
If people knew their drivers, as defined in DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! they would have a good sense of self, and of what makes then tick. Basically they would have a leg up as they set out to redefine their American Dream.

We highly recommend this book, as well as viewing Suze's Money Class on PBS.

Show A Little Vulnerability- Learn to Play Mah Jongg

2011-02-05T08:29:00.032-05:00

My life is about challenging others to rewire their life in some way. So in January I decided to take my own advice. I wanted to rewire some of my play time and decided to learn how to play mah jongg. I wanted something fun; that I could do with friends; that had portability and that would give my brain a good workout! All of the neuroscience data today shows that it's important to constantly be learning something new that challenges your grey matter!

So let me begin with a few facts and the plan I followed:
1) I didn't know anyone who played mahjong.
2) I didn't want to learn bridge because it seemed too difficult and serious.
3) I mentioned my desire to learn mah jongg to a friend who also knew nothing about the game but thought it sounded interesting.
4) She and I found a few other women who said they had wanted to learn but for whatever reason hadn't pursued it...yet.
5) We found a great teacher through the National Mah Jongg League and took lessons.
6) The mah jongg teacher orchestrates weekly games, for beginners and experts, and we committed to play every Monday. The key to doing anything new is to do it with frequency;that's the secret to learning.
7) We all have flexible work schedules which made it do-able (but it still seemed decadent to commit four hours each Monday to fun!)

Still for me, one of the biggest and scariest learning experiences was the first time I played mah jongg with strangers. None of my gang was available one Monday so I found myself playing with far more experienced players. Although I was a "wreck" and kept apologizing for mistakes, they were great and I learned a lot from them. What I realized is that it is impossible to become an expert overnight! Regardless of what we are trying to learn ---you have to be a beginner first! There's no way to get around it! Playing mah jongg has allowed me to become a part of a community of women committed to a variety of passions related to mah jongg! Even something fun and simple like where to buy a mah jongg set or mah jongg jewlery on line at places like mahjonggmaven.

So whether it's mah jongg, fly fishing, golf, cooking...whatever you want to learn..take a lesson or two or three. Yes you might look like a fool; yes you'll be like a kid again just starting out, but you know you're smart and if you like what you are pursuing you know you will "get it" eventually and that there will be new rewards and fun at the other end!

So dare to show your vulnerability and decide to try something new---who knows, you just be good at it!

What Have You Hidden In Plain Sight?

2011-01-12T15:32:00.009-05:00

Do you ever look at something and not really see it? I think it happens alot today especially with people who have too much on their minds and too little time.

Several years ago I taped a list entitled: Lydia's Anti-Aging Essentials inside a cabinet in my bathroom. I probably open that cabinet on average three to four times a day; multiply four by 365 days a year, give or take days for vacation,and then multiply by at least 10 years of living in this apartment and that amounts to 14,600 opportunities for me to have read the list. Yet it didn't happen. I opened the door but never noticed the list at all, and this went on for years!

The paper was beginning to turn yellow so I took the list down. I was surprised to see that the list contained 12 very interesting items. In fact it included things that I believe in, and espouse every day. They are basic but bear repeating. The author is someone named Lydia; I don't know her but 10 years ago I liked what she had to say, and I still do today. Her list fits right in with my views and can be used as a framework for rewiring your life both inside and out!

Lydia's Anti-Aging Essentials Include:
1.Sex and Massage
2.Prayer and Exercise
3.Animals
4.Afternoon tea
5.Utter honesty---especially with self
6.Gratitude for simple pleasures
7.Goals
8.Work-(in many cultures the word 'retirement' means death!)
9.Affection
10.Music
11.See things from another person's point of view
12.No absolutes

So what messages do you have hidden around you...at work, at play, in your house, that you need to look at with a new set of eyes?

What Do I Stand to Gain and Lose This Year?

2011-01-07T11:03:00.019-05:00

Last year I asked readers to stop making resolutions they know they won't keep. This year I'm going the next step by asking you to focus only on the "in the gut" resolutions that you really do want to make a reality.

In other words what I'm saying is STOP WITH THE LIP SERVICE! The number one resolution every year is to lose weight. So if you are one of the millions of people who want to lose weight for health, appearance,or longevity reasons, then read on.

A NY Times article about "bulge busting companies" like Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, and Jenny Craig highlights how these companies are making it more user friendly to help dieters achieve their resolutions.

This same article also talks about apparel companies like Fila and Reebok who are manufacturing toning apparel that is engineered to make working out more effective. These are just a few examples of how consumers can leverage resources to make resolutions realities. There's no getting around the reality that using these products and services does cost money.

And here is our challenge to you in the New Year-- ask yourself, "what will be my return on this investment?" I bring this rewired way of thinking to you because this year when I spend discretionary money, and each of us describes discretionary differently, I'm going to ask myself, "how will I benefit from this purchase or service?"

Successful businesses focus on ROI, return on investment. Why not individuals? Let 2011 become the year of Personal ROI. However, if weight is on your resolution list this year, ask yourself, before you spend any money, what do I stand to lose? By losing weight and inches, you will be gaining the achievement of your goal.And you could gain by becoming overall healthier,more youthful appearance, improved muscle mass, toned, great abs, and on and on!

So these companies, like FILA, Weightwatchers, etc, and my new way to rewire your thinking could help you get rid of the lip service and get on with your life!

AN AFRICAN SAFARI BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE

2010-12-08T13:00:00.027-05:00

I'm out of Africa or rather back from South Africa and Namibia after having had an extraordinary three weeks there!I have always wanted to go on a safari; it's been high on my dream list so we went this year to celebrate my birthday. I love it when people ask, "what did you do on your birthday?" and I say "I was out hunting rhinos"..with a camera! (Note the photo!)

Now some people might say..."so going on safari was on your bucket list?" To be honest, you can call the list a bucket list, dream list, life's to do list, or even things that I will be bummed if I never do in my life list! I don't care what you call your list but I do care that you have a list.

Now I also have much smaller things on my dream list. In fact the things you put on your list should not all be safari-size, but they should be personally yours. I love animals so we went with a group called Wilderness Safaris because I want to be more aware of animal behavior, their environment and the circle of life, as they say in THE LION KING. I also wanted to see the BIG 5--- leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and cape buffalo up close and personal, and I did.

So I'll ask what's on your list? Do you have a list? For some people it could be pretty basic..you want a job; or a new career or more clients. For others it could be a fulfilling relationship and for others they want to fly fish in Costa Rica (remember as I work with people on their rewiring, I hear all kinds of dreams!).

So as you look forward to the New Year start to take a few mintues to think about what you are dreaming about and I hope that it is more than sugar plums!

WE NEED THE HALLOWEEN FEELING MORE OFTEN!

2010-11-02T14:23:00.022-05:00

I loved Halloween this year! I was in Michigan visiting my Mother and couldn't believe how Michiganders rocked out--challenging times and all! Everyone knows that Michigan has, and still is, going through tough economic times but you wouldn't have known it on Halloween. As I walked around my Mom's neighborhood I saw houses whose front yards had been turned into cemeteries!I heard the song the MONSTER MASH being played through windows and I saw huge spiders crawling up the sides of chimneys. I saw Lady Gaga and Barak Obama trick or treating not to mention assorted ghosts, goblins and dogs who were dressed for fun!

Neighbors were gathered around movable fireplaces in their driveways (living in New York City I had never seen these before!) and adults and kids both were heavily costumed! In fact the couple in the picture don't have kids, but had their house and themselves all decked out!

Now some of you might be thinking, this is what happens when you have too much time on your hands, but truthfully these people were having fun...and allowing for everyone else to have a great time too!

People were letting loose and the attached article from The Detroit News says it all: Halloween Weekends Raised Spirits. Did you laugh enough on Halloween? Get into the spirit?
If you did, then I say keep it up and find ways to laugh more...and by the way you should know that it only takes 4 muscles to smile and 13 muscles to frown! :)Maybe we need to rewire our fun!

Ants in Your Pants Are A Good Thing

2010-09-30T08:13:00.029-06:00

Jim Sollisch recently published an article in The Wall Street Journal entitled:"Ants in Your Pants? You Will Probably Live Longer."

The premise of the article is that the more you move, bounce, fidget, or even go for a walk, the healthier you will be and as a result live longer. In so many words fidgeting is good for your body and your brain.

When I was a kid, and always doing "stuff," I remember my parents saying...what's the matter with you? Can't you sit still? In fact they have been telling me to sit still since I was about 3 years old, and I always equated it with buzzing around like a bumble bee.

Now as a grown up I realize that we have advocated something similar in our book, Don't Retire, REWIRE! Except in the book we call it rewiring®. Rewiring® is taking energy previously used in one area (typically work) and moving it into new, fulfilling activities. The simple act of shifting energy moves people around into new work, volunteering, learning new sports, games,or devoting time to hobbies and other life enhancing endeavors.
In his article Jim says that stepping back from the computer and email actually improves results,and you will also lose weight. You may also gain a new zest for life. Now that's two good reasons to get moving and get rewired®.

A Longevity Secret

2010-09-13T14:11:00.011-06:00

As I travel the country I run into people all the time now who are really old in age yet youthful in thought and outlook on life. Yes, many won the gene pool so they have longevity on their side, but others did it by having curiosity. They often tell me that having an active mind and body led to a more fulfilled and engaged long life experience.

One such person died last week. John Kluge was at one time the second richest man in America. He died a billionaire, but not one of the richest. He stayed active until his health failed. I never met him but was intrigued to discover that he had offered his longevity secret to The New York Times when they were preparing his obituary for the paper when he was 72 years old.

"I love the work because it taxes your mind. (Remember he was the founder of MetroMedia)Years ago, I could have taken a few million dollars and joined the country club and gotten in to this pattern of complaining about the world and about the tax law." But he didn't. He wasn't just into business. He grew flowers and collected paintings, African sculpture and Indian, Chines, Greek and Egyptian objets d'art. In other words, he had hobbies. He had cultivated interests, something I am constantly suggesting in my speeches.

I am pleased to say that I have met many more people lately, with a lot less money than John Kluge, who are exploring hobbies and interests as a way to constantly rewire and stay engaged in life throughout their life. No matter how busy you are take out some time for yourself.

Insights From A 60 Year Old Intern

2010-09-02T05:16:00.016-06:00

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting, and very honest article entitled: Older U.S. Work Force Has An Ugly Wrinkle. Reading the article was like watching a reality show--the content was " very real" especially at 6:30am. Many people have to work longer, some want to work longer, and the impact is that more Americans are putting off retirement.

Some people in need of finding new work need to look at things differently--in fact they need to think like teenagers and imagine landing an internship---a great way to test a job and yourself in a new role. Forbes.com did a great article on the topic entitled: Lessons From A 60-Year Old Intern where the "older"interns share their positive emotions and challenges. I view it as a Must Read for both individuals and organizations, and see internships as a valid new pathway for mature workers.

More organizations need to change their thinking and begin to value the mature worker who brings wisdom, skills and experience to organizations. It's time for everyone to rewire® their thinking as we face a new and constantly changing competitive future!

Life Long Skills Enhancement

2010-08-26T13:03:00.010-06:00

There was once a time when we said that the only two things you could really count in life were death and taxes. Now there is a third. It's called life long learning.

Computers, the internet, new applications, new industries, social marketing, etc., all require some form of continuous education, and that's just what recruiters want to see.

If you want to rewire® and have a competitive advantage in our complex world, it means making an even deeper dive into your field. If are changing careers, you may have to go back to school and start the learning journey from the beginning.

New York Times columnist Steven Greenhouse nails it with Learning Curves On the Career Path. The good news is that learning today is more accomodating with online courses, weekend courses abbreviated on campus courses, and more. Colleges and universities have pumped up their offerings in new fields like Green, energy management, global ecology, etc., and the government is making more training money available.

Read between the lines, it's even more important today to select a job and work that you really enjoy. After all you will be spending more and more time learning about it as well as doing it.

Mature Job Seekers Take Note

2010-08-19T15:10:00.008-06:00

The unemployment numbers don't seem to be going down. More people have been out of work and in transition longer than at any time since the Great Depression. Many of the unemployed are getting overwhelmed by the absence of a job like they used to have. Unfortunately, many of the "used to have" jobs aren't coming back soon or ever. But there is an often over looked route that may lead to pay dirt: Temp Work. The New York Times featured a great article on the subject last week. Temporary work shouldn't be frowned upon. It can fill the pocket short term and often leads to permanent employment when the economy starts turning around. You may think it isn't the ideal job, but it is a job that just may lead to a new future for you. A few of the big temp firms also called Workforce Management companies are Kelly, Adecco, Spherion, and Randstad. It's all part of the Rewiring® journey. Temp jobs are also great for retirees looking for a short term gig.

REWIRE® INTO BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR

2010-08-04T12:30:00.022-06:00

In the past few years there has been a marked rise in the number of 50+ entrepreneurs. The increase is a result of several factors. First, people 50+ are not getting new jobs or re-hired as quickly as they had hoped, and second, there are many people who have always dreamed of doing their own thing and now is the time. But I believe there is a third reason, and maybe the best reason...you see a need and you create a product or business to fill it.

I just read a story about two Baby Boomers in Verona, New Jersey,who haven't completely rewired, but used their smarts acquired in other careers to invent a product that is catching on in the senior market: the STAY CANE.
Their story is both fun and inspirational and their product is both needed and a revenue generator!

So keep your eyes open; do your own market research and maybe the next big idea will be yours! As I love to say-- you never know!

REWIRING® TIPS FOR EXPERIENCED WORKERS

2010-07-23T05:42:00.021-06:00

I recently gave a talk to a group of recent Wake Forest graduates in New York City. I opened up my program by saying, "I'm not a Mom so this is NOT repackaged material that I have told my kids, and secondly, this information is what I tell job candidates who are 50 plus, and looking for new work or an encore career, so listen up and understand that these ideas will last you a lifetime."

This surprised the students but I said," Industries have changed, and some have collapsed. Like you, older job seekers don't have a curriculum to follow; this is a new landscape for them too. And they, like you students, have to rewire® and adapt a new mindset, new thinking and new actions if they are going to achieve the job they are seeking." The key thing is that there are smart people and organizations out there who want to help you with your job search and see you succeed. I told the students that there are great career sites to check out and to all of you I say use the internet for ideas and remember to check out sites like TheLadders.com for insights and positions.

So first, let me share what I call the back story which applies regardless of age:

DON'T read every article about unemployment. Headlines like: "Jobless Numbers Are Worse Than You Think," don't serve anyone well, especially a job candidate. Be wary of the headlines but be aware of them and don't succumb to the negativity of the message.

If your computer opens up on Yahoo or Google News, or if you constantly have the tv or radio news on in the background, view the news with a new set of eyes and ears.

Look for what industries are being praised in the news for being innovative.

Listen for where talent shortages are occurring and think do I have those skills? Could I if I went back to school for an additional class or program? Or do I have them but just not focus on them?

Recognize new companies are EMERGING so don't assume you know what is going on out there...be out there to hear and see it all and don't DISCARD an idea before you investigate it. Check it out. Treat a job search like a scavenger hunt and you're looking for clues.

Adopt the motto: You never know!

If you don't know why you work beyond the money and need to have your motivators verified, read DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! and discover or reconfirm what drives you.

Secondly, here are some other ideas to consider:

Manage your expectations in terms of b0th the actual job and lead up interviews.

You know you're terrific but make sure you manage yourself.

Think like an actor---they are always auditioning and going from one gig to another. That is the new mentality for today and tomorrow.

Like it or not, people "still" judge the book by the cover--(difficult for a Nook or Kindle!) but not for people.

Make sure your attitude is as good as your abilities and that your substance and style match up!

Believe that resources are all around you, and they will be. LinkedIn and Facebook are tools but need to be managed.

Tailor your search and your time. Get out and meet people. Sending resumes to recruiters, good friends or headhunters ISN'T enough---it never was!

Get creative in how you reach people. Does your barber or stylist know someone you need to know? You never know!

Update that elevator speech. It's easy to get stale and to sound stale.

And never forget to share. Help your peers and hopefully they'll help you. I do believe that people want to help each other so when you are networking make it easy for your network to work for you. Good luck--we are all in this together!

RINGO STARR HITS 70 STILL LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

2010-07-12T07:18:00.029-06:00

Hurrah! More cracks are appearing in the "age wall." Last week Ringo Starr turned 70 and gave an interesting interview to The New York Times entitled: 'I'm Not Hiding From It,You Know'. I was intrigued how he talked about"it." What was the "it?" The chronological number 70? Or was the "it"about aging overall? Or was it the reality that Ringo was 70, a number that he admits is high? The thing I loved was that when asked about how he was feeling about the number 70...Ringo said, "In my head, I'm 24."

And that to me is the key to continous living, loving, laughing and rewiring regardless of one's age! My belief is focus on your functional age not on your chronological age! Lead with what your head is telling you, not with what the ache in your knee is saying!

Ringo Starr isn't hiding his age; he's not pulling any punches about it, in fact, just the opposite. He's out there with "it," and asking us to celebrate it with him! And Ringo has even taken 84 year old B.B. King as his new role model!

And the best thing is that Ringo hasn't deviated from his original purpose and mission of "love and peace." So many people today are looking for meaning and purpose in their futures, to them I say....go back and listen to some old Beatles tunes if you need a little or a lot of inspiration---if you're open to receive, you'll find some answers!

MORE PRINCIPLES FOR CHANGE

2010-06-25T09:26:00.015-06:00

Change is the name of the game! I know, you're thinking, boy is that trite, so what else is new? The reality is is that change is the new constant in our lives...today, tomorrow and probably forever! When people ask me "when is it going back to the way it was before?" I just flat out say, "it's not," so we need to accept that fact and begin to bring change into our own lives, as and if needed.

I don't know where you are on the continium of change, but I've accepted that I can't control most of the change going on around me. Once that reality hits home, you realize that you can control change in your own life, at least the change you institute.

Change is about personal choices and consequences, whether it be at work, at play, or just in life overall. For every action we take, or don't take, regardless of our age or stage of life, there is a reaction. People will tell me they want to rewire® their lives. It doesn't matter if it is to secure a new career, to experience a different level of leisure and fun or to find new purpose at work and play, you can't hit a new goal or dream without experiencing some type of change.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are a nation of procrastinators. That's why I wanted to give you some principles for change. The goal is to help you coach yourself through a change. I don't claim ownership of these principles but I find them very sound for the times!
And they are new to the way we think about life and our future.
So here are four new principles for change for you to ponder and use:

Choices & Prices- Life is an auction, and everything has a price ticket. The question is "how much are you willing to pay?" and "can afford to pay?"
Responsibility-The person who feels the problem most has the greatest responsibility for correcting it.
Replacement-The best way to ovecome a bad impulse is to repalce it with a better one.
Levels-Every situation has many things going on that need to be recognized and assessed.

When times are challenging it's easy to become complacent. I hope that we can all be there to help each other...that's why I wanted to share these thoughts on change with you. They are slightly different from many other messages and I hope they help you think about your life in a different way. There are things you want to change and things you need to change--and as you go through the list appreciate what you have and don't ever want to change in our life!

I'm not saying that change is easy, but with some thought put into it, change does NOT have to be as hard as we sometimes think it will be or as hard as we make it!

12 PRINCIPLES FOR CHANGE

2010-06-21T05:46:00.009-06:00

Over the weekend I was at a party and "change" was on everyone's mind. Each person wanted to, or was being forced to, make some type of change in their life. The desired change ran the gamut from changing their work, their weight, their time management, or moving into their next and not knowing what to do! The needs were as diverse as the ways in which people were approaching change.

Thinking about them, and all of us who want to change something in our life but are undeclared as of yet, I went into some old "paper" files and found a long forgetten list entitled: 12 Principles of Change. I don't know where I got it...I don't claim initial ownership of it, but I do take responsibility for getting the list to you over the next few blogs. I have listed the top four principles below.

Read them, then read them again. They look simple until you reflect on them and apply them to your life. The Top 4 Principles are as follows:

Purpose- We are happiest when moving toward a goal.
Perspective-Situations may look different depending on our point of view.
Balance- Nature hates imbalance. Most problems are a sign that an imbalance has occurred.
Escalation- Doing the same thing usually gets the same result.If we are not succeeding we need to change the balance of forces.

Just a few thoughts to get you going on your road to change and rewiring! Use these principles to coach yourself!

WHAT DID YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

2010-06-01T15:42:00.021-06:00

I just got back from 10 days in London. It was strictly for fun but friends were surprised I went because I have been to London many times before. Now some may think..."why aren't you going to a new place?" I love new, and have a curiosity to explore new places, however quite honestly I LOVE LONDON and have since I was in the third grade.

In my speeches on rewiring I tell people to look into their past to discover interests or themes that could lead to new career or work opportunties. But now I'm saying use your past to re-discover new fun! You see, one day in school, a teacher who was frustrated by me said..."who do you think you are? Lady Jane Grey?" I had no idea what or who she was talking about so I ran to the library and discovered the book on Lady Jane Grey, the 16 year old girl who sat on the English throne for only nine days before she was beheaded! I was smitten with her story...and that was the beginning of my love fest with the Tudors, London and English history overall!

So why did I go to London now? To see the special exhibit on Lady Jane Grey at the National Portrait Gallery. We can make our fun time even more fulfilling and rewarding for ourselves when we go deeper into our experiences! So I like to say follow your dreams and your themes!

And I'll have more themes to report on about London!

EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE COACH IN THEIR CORNER

2010-05-19T09:33:00.036-06:00

Some people say it's hard to stay motivated...others say it's hard to get motivated, and being someone whose business it is to motivate others, I think that today overall it's a little harder to get, stay and be motivated!

That's why I'm a fan of coaching! All types of coaching...both formal and informal, for work and play!

I have a friend who is a jazz singer, and she works with a voice coach.

I have a young friend who is a baseball coach for executives who want to play baseball better in their free time.

I belong to a gang of three couples who coach each other to try new things.

And I have many friends who are executive, life or retirement coaches.

Even a few who are business and entrepreneur coaches!

My point is, as people face the future I want them to undertake new ventures. To me, it's all about rewiring energy and actions. But some time you need a little help from your friends. Yes, famous words from a great song! But it's true! Regardless of your age I hope you want to try something new; maybe a new job, or you want to excel at a sport or take a risk and create a new business and need some support to either get started or stay in the game! Knowing that someone is in your corner, is in the ring with you, is a big help.

The truth is sometimes you just plain need a jumpstart or some on-going support.

That's why I loved the article in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday entitled: "The Power Of A Gentle Nudge." The article's focus was on "older" people and exercise.The story presented the findings on a Stanford University study which showed that small amounts of social support, from friends who encourage each other via e-mail or the phone, to having an actual meeting with a fitness coach, kept people motivated and exercising. I loved the premise because to me the support aspect could refer to anyone or anything.

Even the most committed people could use a nudge and those who are venturing out and trying something new need a nudge, or rwo or three!

So why do some people feel that they have to accomplish a goal solely on their own? Why do they beat themselves up if they are tired and don't feel motivated to do something? It's human nature to want to "bag something because you're tired." And once you do that, you usually end up kicking yourself later for not being motivated! So it becomes a vicious circle and you end up frustrated with yourself, twice! Accept the fact that even the most motivated of us need a little coach in our corner! Whether it be a formal or informal arrangement, see if a little coaching helps you hit your next goal!

The Last Ziegfeld Follies Girl Had Rewired Many Times

2010-05-14T08:38:00.017-06:00

You might not recognize the name, Doris Eaton Travis, but she just passed away at 106. She was the last of the Ziegfield Follies chorus girls and had been a "hoofer" for over 90 years! She was from Michigan, which I am also, so I took extra interest in this unbelievable woman!

They said that Travis' love of dancing and musical theater was shaken when the stock market crash of 1929 ushered in the Depression and many theaters closed. Travis had been dancing on Broadway since 1907 so in the early 1930's, as a result of the Depression she had to rewire!

She took a job as a tap dance instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in New York, then branched out into social dancing, which led to her opening a Murray franchise in Michigan, which became a second career. Sound familiar?

Doris Eaton Travis used her passion for dancing and her love of the stage as the foundation for her lifelong career. How about you? Has your job become redundant? Has your industry been affected by the economy? Think about it. Do you have a passion or idea that you could pursue as your encore or next career?

Having to rewire into a new career is nothing new! Today there are more tools and resources to help you jumpstart your thinking.

I WANT TO BE SINGING AND DANCING AT 92. DO YOU?

2010-04-24T07:15:00.022-06:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to see the group, Young @ Heart perform in the American premiere of the musical END OF THE ROAD by the No Theater company at St. Ann's Warehouse in DUMBO, Brooklyn, New York! I know that that is quite a mouthful but I hope you will remember the group from their wonderful movie/documentary entitled: Young @ Heart. And don't think that the audience was comprised only of seniors because it wasn't! It was truly a multi-generational audience where everyone was rocking out especially when the group sang Sly and the Family Stone's "I Want To Take Yhou Higher!"

This is a chorus of over 30 dynamic people whose average is 80. Please take the time to read their story here! You'll love them, and get some good ideas for your own life!

Corporate America could learn a few things...the group doesn't focus only on songs from their generation .,..but also sang Dylan, Springsteen, BLONDIE, and Kurt Cobain and when they sang Only The Strong Survive...all I could think was--these people have definitely rewired..and continue to do so!

In fact I would recommend that you learn more about the group and a lot about life--- check out the full movie story. The chorus is entertaining, and much more! You'll learn who they are and I hope you'll begin to reflect on your life...or rather your own future.

The Young@Heart Chorus was created in 1982, and all of the original members lived in an elderly housing project in Northampton, Massachusetts, and only one original member is alive today. Bob Cilman, the Chorus Director is brilliant...a true leader who stretches his team. He is demanding of his singers; he doesn't do the expected and he even gets on stage with them. He is the best coach ever!

Bob Cilman gets everyone, including the audience, to think out of their comfort zone. Recognize that the group has set changes, costume changes, and they have to memorize I don't know how many songs---so when an assumption is made that seniors can't learn something new, give me a break! I write that line for both seniors and society! We all have to change our thinking! We can all rewire and learn new things---if we want to! The group Young at Heart is living proof of what is possible when you try!

Part of my future rewiring will be to sing with this group! I'm serious! So in preparation for the future--I am going to take singing lessons now. I'm pretty rusty, and definitely an alto and I know that you have to prepare for what you want in life! so what do you want to do when you're 92?

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2010-04-22T14:05:00.001-06:00

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ENCORE CAREER TeleSummit

2010-04-13T20:30:00.011-06:00

The times remain challenging, but people are getting ready to move on! And there are a lot of tools to help people jumpstart their next acts. There is a special and unique event that I wanted to make you aware of … the 1st annual Encore Career TeleSummit for Women 50+. Many of you know that I am the former Editor at Large of WORKING WOMAN magazine and women, creating successful next acts, remain very important to me!

The TeleSummit will provide education and information for women 50+ who want to create an encore career as they begin looking ahead to that timeframe called retirement! As I travel around the country talking to women, and men too, I know that this is a key topic for many. What do I want to do next and how do I begin? I think you'll find this FREE TeleSummit on April 24-25, 2010 extremely valuable.

Maybe you've been downsized or forced to retire out of your lifelong career. Or maybe, you just know it's time to move on, but just can't seem to take the leap. The fact is, you have a wealth of skills, expertise, experience and wisdom that you could bring to your encore career. If you're stuck or scared, it's hard to gain the clarity you'll need to make good decisions.

Let's face it. In 99% of cases your Encore Career is not going to fall in your lap. Just dreaming about it is not enough. You have to take action. You have to know how. The telesummit will feature 12 well-known experts, and I'm thrilled to be the kick off speaker!

All of us are committed to the program: people like Dr. Joan Borysenko, expert in the area of health and healing, Deborah Russell , leader at AARP on workforce issues, and Richard Leider who will help you find purpose and passion---just to name a few. The reality is---we all want to help you design your next career without wasting precious time and money. And let's be honest, none of us has time or money to waste!

So sign up for the April 24-25 event at http://www.encorecareertelesummit.com/. It's free of charge! Give yourself a leg up...and GO FOR IT!

Wonderful new tools, ideas and experts are all around us, we just have to take advantage of the opportunities that exist! Happy rewiring into your encore career!

EXERCISE AND ADD MORE LIFE TO YOUR LIFE!

2010-03-23T11:10:00.013-05:00

There are only 24 hours in the day and it's up to each of us to decide how and where our time is used. Work, plus family and daily responsibilities take up a large portion of that time, and of course we know that eight hours of sleep is the ideal. I may be nervey to say this, but today I am putting in a big plug for finding "some" time, even a little time, to exercise. I know some of you are groaning already; others are smiling because you have made time for fitness and are feeling smug, and still others are sheepishly admitting that exercise has been on their to do list for too long to remember, which is a good seque to why I hope you will make some time for exercise.

Over the past several weeks there have been many articles in both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal on exercise. Take a look at these headlines (in fact two are VERY similar!) and take a look at the benefits.

On March 2 Jane Brody wrote her Personal Health column: "Even More Reasons to Get A Move On" and in the March 9 Wall Street Journal Health & Wellness section journalist, Ron Winslow wrote: "To Double the Odds of Seeing 85: Get A Move On." They are great articles, covering different angles, but work together to deliver a one two punch message that it's not just about good abs or a tight butt but rather about the long term health benefits for the body and the brain!

Then on March 9 Jane Brody wrote: "To Keep Moving, Look Beyond the Physical" where she indicated that she had heard from many readers who said it's easy to get started exercising but hard to stay motivated. So Jane's March 9 article talks about how exercise improves life, includes a list of motivators and concludes with a quote from Dr.Michelle Segar, a motivational psychologist at the University of Michigan that " we need to rebrand exercise as something we can enjoy, something that really feels good to do."

My sentiments exactly-- now that I have finally rewired my time and added exercise to my life!

So are you ready to rewire your thinking about exercise and fitness and wellness? Maybe it's time to turn exercise on its head! If you hate running, try biking, if not biking, then swimming...the point is there are choices all around us...pick one and try it. If it isn't the "right one" for you, DISCARD IT and CHOOSE ANOTHER! Do it for your good health! It is a patriotic act these days.

KNOW WHAT DRIVES YOU and YOUR EMPLOYEES

2010-03-15T09:17:00.006-05:00

When we did the research for DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! a key part of our research focused on people answering the question: Why Do You Work Beyond A Paycheck? Unsolicited we received over 85 reasons, or what we call drivers, for why people worked beyond the money. These drivers ranged from having accomplishments and a sense of belonging to being valued, getting recognition and making a difference.

Our goal was to have people recognize their drivers, or what made them tick, and to use that knowledge for creating their next act, third age, encore career, or whatever they chose to call it!

I often told my corporate clients that if they could incorporate our driver component into their performance reviews and in how they managed their employees, then everyone would win!

Daniel Pink's latest book DRIVE! has done just that! It has hit every bestseller list in just the first month because it has the message we both believe in....it is NOT just about the money!

So I'm helping people get rewired by making sure they understand their drivers and Dan Pink is doing the same on a big corporate level! Maybe together we can make some real difference!

Do You Have What It Takes To Become An Entrepreneur?

2010-03-12T12:30:00.025-05:00

There has been a sharp rise in people 55+ becoming entrepreneurs; with many more in the wings checking out the idea. The rise is a result of desire and default. My comments in the New York Times article on entrepreneurism prompted many people to call and write me about what do I really think it takes to become an entrepreneur today. I have a checklist of ideas but I wanted to see what the specialists were saying.

I remembered that when I was Editor at Large of WORKING WOMAN magazine that we ran a special section on entrepreneurship in conjunction with the Small Business Administration in Washington DC. Some of the best insights and advice came from professors at Babson College (one of the first schools offering classes in entrepreneurship).

So as I was doing my research for this blog I was thrilled to discover this article in The Harvard Business Review entitled: "Should You Be An Entrepreneur? It reflects my thoughts and is honest, straight-on and practical. Just what every potential entrepreneur needs to hear! And it is written by Professor Daniel Isenberg of you guessed it, Babson College. He challenges the reader with thought-provoking questions that are broad in scope and gives you the chance to take a terrific 2 minute quiz that should not be missed.

To get you thinking here are a few of Professor Isenberg's Yes or No questions:

1. I don't like being told what to do by people who are less capable than I am.

2.I like challenging myself.

3.I like to win.

4.I always look for new and better ways to do things.

5.I can't sit still.

And there are 15 more personally-challenging questions that you need to answer if you are thinking about starting your own business. You can score yourself ...and for your own sake, be honest! The worst thing is try and fake out yourself; usually the only one who loses when that occurs is you!

To see the full article, and many more from Daniel Isenberg, go to the Harvard Business Review and put Daniel Isenberg in the search box. You'll be amazed by the breadth of knowledge this man has about entrepreneurship! Even current entreprenuers will benefit from his research!

Get The Most Out Of "Coming of Age!"

2010-03-08T11:12:00.009-05:00

We've all heard people say...act your age! Over the weekend I heard a Mom tell her 16 year old son who was "goofing" around to act his age, and at a wedding I heard the same woman tell her Father who was having a great time on the dance floor to act his age! Personally I thought that she was too uptight with both of them and her father did too and told her so! This idea of what it means to act your age has both personal and collective implications! The meaning to act your age for the 50+ person is evolving and I hope will continue to for years to come!

The concept of age, aging, getting older are all great topics for future blogs, but today I want to talk about a terrific website,"Coming of Age." Much of my work is involved with rewiring individuals and organizations to think and act differently about the future. I always have my eyes and ears open for new ideas to help people figure out What's Next In Their Life? If that sounds like you then this is the website to investigate.

If you need ideas about pathways and possibilities to help you explore your future, (two topics near and dear to my own heart! ) then this is a great spot for you as you take your journey!

If you have time to give back and want to learn how and where to contribute , you'll get some thought-provoking ideas. If you are an organization and want to better understand what is on the mind of the 50+ person when it comes to giving back to the community, then immediately get to the site and get inspired and armed with action tools!

Do I sound excited about this site, I am! The site delivers. As their tag -line says--"It's about capturing the talent and energy of people 50+!"

So if you are ready to rewire®, or just thinking ahead or ready for a change, then check out Coming of Age! Go for it and DON'T let your age get in the way of pursuing a new idea or two!

Become An Entrepreneur at 55+!

2010-03-04T20:36:00.007-05:00

I'm an entrepreneur and love it. However being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. Having said that I know many successful and happy entrepreneurs who fell into the role or went kicking and screaming into it only to say years later..."why didn't I do this sooner?"

In the March 4th New York Times there is a great section on retirement. One of the key articles happens to be about becoming an entrepreneur with a focus on those over the age of 55. There are wonderful success stories in the article plus many honest tips and suggestions about the possibilties and pitfalls about becoming an entrepreneur including a few comments of my own!

So as you think about the future, consider rewiring into the role of entrepreneur! You'll work hard but you'll be the boss....and the marketing director, sales person and receptionsist but it will be yours!

STOP MAKING RESOLUTIONS YOU WON'T KEEP

2010-01-07T10:37:00.019-05:00

It's a new year and if you made it through last year, which if you're reading this blog you did, then pat yourself on the back and let's together move on to 2010. In prior years this would be the time to talk about making some resolutions but NOT this year.

As I eavesdrop and hear peope talk about making New Year's resolutions I believe it's done tongue -in -cheek. Both they and I realize that they feel they "should" make resolutions but in actuality they know that they are going to break them, so I ask---why make them in the first place? You are only kidding, and possibly even hurting yourself if you fall into the fake resolutions trap. Think about it...how many diets have you started and stopped, or job or career changes you said you were going to make and didn't and now feel stuck?

I read a great article where the author challenged her readers by saying---If you think you are the perfect weight, or that you have great abs and arms already, or eat a good diet or love your job and and that your friends are all perfect, then you are already living the optimum life for you and no resolutions are necessary! The readers were told to keep it up and get down on their hands and knees and give thanks and show gratitude.

I thought to myself these people are lucky and that prior resolutions have paid off! However as I looked at my sagging upper arms and at the chocolate chip cookie I was eating, I realized not everyone is there yet.

Not everyone is living the life they want, so I offer a simple thought for the new year and that would be to just "take stock" of your life as it is today. Don't sugar coat or gloss over your findings. Be honest. Like me I am sure that there will be flaws and failings, a few ouches and some ahas! and that within all of your findings there will be hidden opportunities and chances for change. The new year is a beginning for introspection not self-flagellation.

I am NOT making any of the traditional resolutions. However after a few heart -to -heart talks with myself I have decided that there are two words that I will focus on for myself this year that are rather like resolutions; one is to better understand or analyze my own motivation, or lack thereof, and the other is to understand how determined I am to pursue new ideas and interests. These are some of the missing links of the rewiring puzzle.

LISTENING TO OUR ELDERS

2009-12-17T13:49:00.006-05:00

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.

INSIGHTS FROM MILES DAVIS

2009-11-29T12:23:00.013-05:00

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!

Discover Why Traditional Retirement Is Obsolete

2009-11-17T08:17:00.012-05:00

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!

WHAT MAKES UP THE GOOD LIFE?

2009-10-28T10:18:00.011-05:00

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.

GETTING INTO REWIRING MODE

2009-09-26T12:26:00.007-06:00

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!

DON'T GET STUCK IN THE CAREER PIPELINE!

2009-09-21T08:07:00.020-06:00

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!

JAY LENO REWIRES HIMSELF and NBC!

2009-09-16T09:35:00.011-06:00

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!

CREATE YOUR OWN FUN TO DO LIST!

2009-08-19T09:37:00.016-06:00

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!

IDEAS FOR FINDING A NON-PROFIT CAREER

2009-07-30T12:14:00.011-06:00

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!

STAYING MOTIVATED TAKES EFFORT

2009-07-28T13:16:00.015-06:00

NEW INSIGHTS FROM OLD MATERIAL

2009-07-28T10:00:00.009-06:00

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."

Watching Three Generations Slug It Out on the Tennis Court

2009-07-16T07:16:00.015-06:00

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.

The action was at the new NY Sportimes Stadium on Randall's Island.

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!

DISCOVERING MY INTEREST IN JAZZ

2009-07-02T08:34:00.026-06:00

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?

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

2009-06-03T10:11:00.007-06:00

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!

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

2009-05-21T07:57:00.012-06:00

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.

WORKING OUT AND WALKING ARE GREAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY SPORTS

2009-05-15T11:18:00.037-06:00

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!

YOGA CAN KEEP YOU YOUNG

2009-05-14T12:43:00.009-06:00

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

Suzanne Braun Levine Does It Again!

2009-05-11T15:47:00.010-06:00

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!

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

2009-04-20T21:56:00.006-06:00

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

2009-04-20T21:01:00.009-06:00

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:

http://www.retiredbrains.com/

http://www.workforce50.com/

http://www.retirementjobs.com/

http://www.theladders.com/

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

JERI REWIRES BY PLAYING POKER!

2009-04-04T07:17:00.002-06:00

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!

Rewirement Tips for Mature* Job Seekers - March 2009

2009-03-23T19:26:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-03-23T09:08:00.000-06:00

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!

LEARN TO PLAY TEXAS HOLD 'EM

2009-03-20T06:06:00.000-06:00

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!

DON'T COUNT THE "OLD DOGS" OUT!

2009-02-12T14:22:00.000-05:00

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!

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR THE 2009 PURPOSE PRIZE?

2009-02-05T15:52:00.000-05:00

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!

REWIRING GURU TAKES HER OWN ADVICE

2009-02-03T13:43:00.000-05:00

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?

OLDER WORKERS NEED NEW IDEAS AND INSIGHTS TO STAY COMPETITIVE

2009-01-28T10:37:00.000-05:00

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.

REWIRED CAREERS- Meet The Purpose Prize Winners

2008-12-10T08:38:00.000-05:00

I'm always looking for stories and ideas to share with you about people who have rewired or are in the process of rewiring and I have to say that the 6 NEW Purpose Prize winners blew me away! Their stories, their achievements, their honesty about their trials and tribulations were inspirational and I want you to meet them.

The easiest way to read these fascinating stories, and maybe get some rewiring ideas of your own, is at http://www.purposeprize.org/index.cfm.

The creators of the Purpose Prize are Civic Ventures and Encore.org with financial support from The Atlantic Philanthropies and The Templeton Fund.

The innovative winners who have made such an impact on the lives of others receive a substantial monetary award.

I happen to be a member of the Encore Leadership Network, and I know that we are already looking for next year's winners...so nominate someone---or even yourself--
at: http://www.purposeprize.org/nominate/nomination-begin.cfm.

We are living in challenging times and often someone else's story just might be the catalyst to get us to think differently about our work options, or the story could contain a nugget of an idea that sparks a brand new idea...either way, let the sparks fly! And no matter what-- remember getting an idea to pursue takes time! Be kind to yourself.

RETIREES? REWIRING AND OFF TO WORK THEY GO!

2008-10-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Recognize these characters? They are the famous Walt Disney Seven Dwarfs from the Disney movie SNOW WHITE. Why have I featured them so prominently, because I think they have a positive message for us about work.

A real life person, Lee Iacocca, also has a positive message about work. It was the July, 1996 FORTUNE cover featuring Lee Iacocca with the headline- "HOW I FLUNKED RETIREMENT" that was the catalyst for us to write DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! Lee Iacocca said he flunked retirement because he had underplanned his life, his activities, not his finances. Today it's a different story. Today's economic crisis, the surrounding chaos and impact on our investments, is driving many people into considering going back to work, if they're not there already. Lee Iacocca hadn't planned it, but he has rewired several times....he has gone back to work...sure it was to buy businesses, to write books....maybe not our league, but the key is is that he is doing work he enjoys!

Work is only a bad four letter word if you hate what you're doing!

I am a "realistic optimist," not a Pollyanna, and maybe it sounds corny but I think we should adapt the tune that the seven dwarfs sang-----"hi ho hi ho it's off to work we go..."

Much of the media is reporting the horror stories. They're not giving their readers or viewers any sense of hope, or any tactics or ideas to pursue. I'm known as the "rewiring guru" and I take that title and coinciding responsibility seriously so I'm here to give retirees a few ideas...BUT THE TRUTH IS, THESE IDEAS WORK FOR PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE.

1) Before you charge out, use the ZEN philosophy- You can't see your reflection in rushing water.

2) Think about how you want to work. --Do you need full time, part time, seasonal, or flex time and how do you define that for yourself?

3) Try combining your interests and your skills. Yes, times are challenging, but go after work that you think you'll like and that you would look forward to doing.

4) Your resume tells some of your story, but why not create an accomplishment sheet for yourself. Having a list of your successes will help you recognize all you have done and allow you to determine what might be applicable to a new work situation. Plus it will help those you are networking with understand you better!

5) Manage your expectations.

We're all in this together and I hope to be sending along ideas with some regularity...and remember...breathe...

STAYING AFLOAT WITH SOME REWIRING IDEAS

2008-10-15T13:42:00.000-05:00

The book, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, begins with the line, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and for many that line sums up life today, both here and abroad. For over 15 years I have worked in the areas of executive search, and personal and professional growth and development. Writing DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! was a logical output of that work since so many of us Boomers were looking ahead. Well we're still looking ahead....but the future has changed and for many it's pretty fuzzy. Many people feel betrayed by life, their employer, WALL STREET, and the government. As one friend said, " there's no place to run, and no place to hide!" So , breathe, and let's begin.

The concept of "rewiring" is not age or life stage specific, so it's not surprising that I have been doing some programs for outplacement firms, churches, and non profits to help people look at the future and their job options with a new set of eyes.

My talks haven't just been about tactics and strategies but about pain, being angry and in denial and how you need to rewire some of your energy and time so you can face the future more positively. I'm going to offer ideas on job hunting but also on keeping your sanity, and that is the focus of my blog today.

Here's a few basic ideas we need to be doing:

1. Breathe. Feel your stomach go out when you inhale. Focus on your belly. Slow down.
2. Eat. What foods are you eating? Junk or comfort food? Go for greens and protein.
3. Listen. What are you saying to yourself? Is it negative or positive? Don't depress yourself.
4.Watch. Watch what you're viewing on TV. Don't overload on financial news or politics!
5.Fitness. Get off your duff. Take a walk. Go to the gym. Walk
around the office. the block, the company parking lot!
My goal is to have you rewire some of your energy---even in a small way---do something different. You need it; I know I do!
Stay tuned.

Interview with Brian Kurth of Vocation Vacations

2008-09-08T14:35:00.000-06:00

An interview I recently did with Brian Kurth of Vocation Vacations is now available as a free downloadable podcast in the iTunes music store. Just search 'vocation vacations' in iTunes to find it. You can also listen to in mp3 format here.

Rewirement Tips - v.3

2008-09-03T14:31:00.000-06:00

There are so many things to consider as we face the future. The concept of Rewiring® should touch on all aspects of our life--- if we let it. Here are a few more tips to contemplate your future; the reality is, they work for people of all ages! You’ll see that there’s a few tips that I keep reinforcing, such as Know Yourself! The reason I keep driving this message home is that too many people want to skip this most important step…they just want to just go and do; that will work for awhile then you’ll come up anxious again. Spend some time getting to know yourself; I bet you’re a very interesting person!

Accept the Future as a time of endings and beginnings. Think about what will end in your life, and ask will you miss it? Ask what you want to end, and know why you won’t miss it. Also cite what you don’t want to have changed.

Acknowledge how you handle change. Do you run from it; thrive on it; embrace it; lead it? This insight should guide your planning.

Keep your values close. Our values are our anchors. Is work your anchor? Recognize that the absence of work may leave you feeling adrift.

Go on vacation. Do something totally different the first week of your new life. If you know that change is hard for you, and that the first Monday of your new life will be tough, be away.

Take the time to know yourself. It’s a journey well worth taking. As a start read Don’t Retire, REWIRE to gain insights, then if you want more go hire a coach or talk to a role model or mentor, you don’t have to figure out your life alone.

Listen to yourself. Take one off-beat idea you have and play it through. Let the kid in you emerge. There may be a whole other side of you dying to get out.

If You Plan to Work in Retirement, Here's A Few Rewiring Tips!

2008-08-30T12:53:00.000-06:00

Today’s workplace is competitive, challenging and more complex than ever! So whether you’re looking for a new job because you have to or just because you want to, I’ve compiled some job- seeking tips for everyone, but especially for people 50+. I advise people to take an inward journey first, that they look inside themselves and answer a few questions, BEFORE they take action! I'm seeing too many people going the route of "READY, FIRE, AIM! and then wondering WHY they didn't hit their bullseye!

Follow the Boy Scout motto and Be Prepared to answer some basic questions before you jump into looking for a job. Too many people say they want to go back to work, or want new work options but can't articulate what it is they want!

We need other people to help us uncover opportunities so we need to make sure--- coming out of the gate--- that we have our act together! You need an elevator speech ready to go! So here are some questions and tips to get you thinking. Many of them are pretty basic…in fact you may think they're too obvious!

So my question is: CAN YOU ANSWER THEM?

1. Know WHY you want to work in retirement. Is it for pay, intellectual stimulation, community, driver fulfillment? Other?

2. Where do you want to work. For your former company on a reduced schedule, for the competition, as a consultant, as an entrepreneur,for a non-profit?

3. How do you want to work? Part time/full time/flex/seasonally?

4. Do you have the technology skills you need? Are you willing to get them?

6. Did you review your past accomplishments? Do you know what's important to you?

7. Have you identified the skills you want to use in your next act? Just because you have a certain skill DOESN'T mean you have to use it!

8. Are you open, adaptable and flexible? Or closed to new ideas and set in your ways?

Before you head off to a recruiter, a job board, or a networking lunch, have the guts to talk to yourself about what you want and need from your work and your life.
Labels: plan of action, working in retirement, rewirement, tips

Is Writing A Novel In Your Future?

2008-08-01T20:35:00.000-06:00

To me, there is nothing better than reading a good novel. Why do I tell you this? Because over the past several years of traveling the country speaking to audiences about their futures, I have heard more people say,"I want to write the Great American Novel one day." But they openly admit they have no idea of how to get started. So for all of you future writers, I am thrilled to introduce you to literary agent and author, Evan Marshall, who has made novel writing easier than ever before! Evan has turned his best selling book on how to write a novel, "The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing" into downloadable software and it's great! and available at here.

Many people are deciding to rewire and get new skills at the height of their careers. Evan is a perfect example. On top of his day job as a literary agent, he used his nights and weekends to master a whole new skill set--software programming--in order to create the software himself. He told me that "no one knows The Marshall Plan better than I do, so I'll write the software!" But how to begin is always the question regardless of the topic.

Evan took night classes at County College of Morris, enrolled in an on-line course through the Montclair School of Continuing Education, and read several textbooks in his spare time! Although a New Jersey resident Evan found help all over the world. He posted problems on expertsexchange.com, got feedback from a fan in Australia, and hired an expert programmer in Pakistan, who bid for the job on elance.com.

Best of all, Evan listened to his fans who had been asking him for years to turn his book into software. He also listened to himself,and decided to go for it. Three years later he is thrilled and so are his fans!

So,do you have a book project,or idea, you've been thinking of doing? Don't deprive the world of a great novel, you now have the software to get started; Evan has done the legwork for you!

Oh, if only life were always this easy!

EXPECTED the UNEXPECTED

2008-07-15T11:53:00.000-06:00

When I hear the comment, "Oh well I've just come to expect the unexpected," or "nothing surprises me any more," they are usually uttered with a heavy sigh and from a more negative standpoint. Many people think that when you expect the unexpected that you are assuming something bad will happen. Being a "realistic optimist," (an attitude that I think we all should be adopting right now) I expect good things to happen to myself and others. And am thrilled and excited when an unexpected cool thing occurs! Which was what happened last week when our book DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! and our idea of rewiring was a focal point of Jane Brody's column in The New York Times.

I believe that we need to work hard, work smart, and live by the Golden Rule and sometimes with doing everything else right, we also get lucky! It is challenging times at the ranch and Jane's words rewired some of my thinking! I was in Battle Creek last week doing an AARP program, entitled WORK @ 50...Getting Rewired for Your Next Act. The audience of 250 people were eager for new ideas and insights so Jane's comments and my AARP audience has caused me to do the unexpected....I am going to start offering more HOW TO FIND WORK Tips and ideas in my blog and on my website.

So when something unexpectedly wonderful happens to you, think of how you can use it to make something unexpectedly positive happen for someone else!

Looking For Meaning and Purpose In All the Right Places

2008-07-03T12:08:00.000-06:00

I tell people NOT to eavesdrop on other people's dreams, because what one person considers heaven, you might consider hell. I give myself the right to eavesdrop. I view it as part of my on-going research. I see myself as a "social voyeur" so if you have that title then eavesdropping goes with the territory.

Recently a lot of folks have been telling me they need to rewire because they need to find new meaning and purpose in their life. They have gone stale at work and at play even in their relationships. When I ask how they define "meaning and purpose" I usually get a blank stare or quizzical look----"meaning and purpose" are great words but I believe it it up to each of us to define those words for ourselves.

Many Boomers say they want to do new work in their next act...to have a retirement career, or as my friend and author, Marc Freedman , calls it...to have Encore Career. If you are one of those people looking for new work that touches both your life and society then get ready to do some personal due diligence by reading the latest survey from MetLife and Civic Ventures on the topic.

So What Are You Waiting For?

2008-06-15T13:55:00.000-06:00

I bet that some of you reading this blog right now have been thinking about making some changes in your life....could be at work, at play, in your home---it doesn't matter what you are planning to do. Imagine that I am a little voice speaking to you and asking, "so what is stopping you from moving ahead?" Or as I like to say---"what is stopping you from rewiring?" I am NOT necessarily talking about big changes; I'm talking about any change that you say, or have been saying, that you would like to make.

While giving a speech last week I discovered that I was facing an audience of procrastinators. I found myself saying from the stage---"Recognize, you're not getting any younger; there is never a perfect time to enact change, and lastly, and sadly there is no guarantee that you will be here tomorrow...so why not make the change now?" Many people told me they wanted to try new things; take up a sport, learn French, or that they liked their life but just wanted more fun, and good times in it. Most of the things they mentioned were quite do-able.

Then on Friday afternoon we learned that Tim Russert had died. He was a boomer; one of us, and his death was a shock. But as I watched TV and read about him, I smiled because here was a man who truly lived a life he loved.
Sometimes we can be shocked into change. I know I've been.

"Drivers" Can Enhance Your Vacation

2008-06-08T11:06:00.000-06:00

We just came back from a two week vacation in Paris; truthfully it was to not only have fun but to also celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in a city we both love! We had an incredible time, even with a weak dollar. A few friends and associates had wondered, "wouldn't it be better to wait until the dollar got stronger? and our responses was, "and when does your crystal ball say that will be?"

First tip---You can always find a reason for not doing something! You don't even have to look that hard! So my advice is, accept that reality, prepare for it, and then get on with it.

Second tip ---For us, it wasn't just about going to Paris, it was about what did we want to do, to see, to experience there? We had subscribed to France Today magazine and used their great site(http://www.francetoday.com/) to see what was going on in Paris. As some of you know, in doing our research for our book DON'T RETIRE, REWIRE! we identified 85 reasons why people work beyond money, but we also discovered that these "drivers" as we call them, are a part of our DNA and apply to our total life.

Third tip---You can also use those drivers to plan your pleasures! Rewiring isn't just about work! One of my drivers is "to have new experiences" and another is "to be current!" I hate to miss out on anything, so we ordered tickets for the Camille Claudel exhibit at the Rodin Museum (http://www.musee-rodin.fr/) and booked an outstanding guide to tour Giverny(www.giverny.org/monet) Claude Monet's home, where he painted the famous waterlily series. and we're glad we did because there were waiting lines for both!

Fourth tip--- One of my co-author/husband's drivers is "to have freedom," so our goal was to create a vacation experience that would fulfill both of us! We didn't fill every minute but rather left time for just sitting in the Tuileries Garden and pondering life, devouring a chocolate dessert at Angelina's or munching on a baguette and letting the world go by!

Fifth tip---Discover what makes you tick (it's a key part of rewiring) then go out and create the life that makes you tick!

A bientot!

REWIRING Is NOT Just About the Big Stuff!

2008-05-10T10:40:00.000-06:00

As I travel the country, it doesn't matter whether I'm talking to an audience of Boomers, Gen X-ers, retirees, rewirees, or pre-retirees, I leave and never know for sure how, or if my message to rewire their energy, regardless of age or stage of life, is getting through to them. Think about it...as a speaker, I'm there and then I leave. I often sit on planes and wonder "Did I make a difference?" "Did they get a new idea or two?"

This week I got my answer from a friend who called on Friday and said, "Ok. I took your advice, I'm doing a little rewiring. I want you to know that I'm walking back to my office. I didn't hop right into a cab after my meeting (she lives in New York City). In fact I'm noticing the tulips on Park Avenue, the number of dogs on the street, and that New York is full of tourists!"

"So how does it feel?" I asked. "Actually it's kind of nice because I'm reflecting on my meeting and what my client said in a different way!" I was ready to say "see how easy it is," when she continued with, "And if I walk just right I can still check e-mails on my Blackberry!" Okay, so she hadn't broken a habit, but she was trying something new. She had rewired a little bit of her energy...That's what matters..and she was actually noticing things around her. So maybe it's time for you to drive a different way to work...or listen to a new cd or radio station. It doesn't matter what you do, just re-route some of your energy and see what happens!Maybe nothing...maybe a lot!

Rewiring is not about big changes only...it's about trying small changes on for size and seeing how it feels.

How Are You Doing On Those 2008 Resolutions?

2008-03-10T09:17:00.000-05:00

This headline triggers a range of emotions from guilt to regret to joy. It all depends on whether you’ve pursued any of the goals or changes you said you wanted to make in your life this year. Funny, we make plans, have good intentions, then life gets in the way. It happens to all of us. It might seem obvious to you but I think that the goals that we pursue are the ones we really want. We give a lot of lip service to ourselves…..Some people call it the “woulda, coulda, shoulda’s,” and I also call it the “yeah, buts..” We have a million excuses for why we can’t do something.

I knew that I needed to rewire some of my own energy this year; I had gotten out of balance, and too focused on other people’s lives, forgetting my own. Admitting that I needed to rewire was the first step. Then listening to myself about things that I said I wanted to do was the next step. An inner voice kept saying to me… “you’ve been wanting to get into yoga.” I had done yoga in India in December, loved it, and verbally made it a priority, but did nothing to make it a reality. Yoga is great for getting in touch with body, spirit, and soul, (www.yogabasics.com) so I thought that would be great for my rewiring journey. When I looked at my travel TO DO List I saw that KRIPULA a Retreat Center in the Berkshires had been on the list for three years (see what I mean about postponing things!) and I decided to go there for the Retreat and Relaxation weekend. Another one of my goals was to spend more quality time with friends. I didn’t just want to “do dinners.” So when a friends said, “I’m into yoga and would love to go to KRIPULA,” I knew there was no stopping me! All of the excuses were removed. I picked up the phone and got us a reservation. My husband said he’d have his own retreat weekend at home while I was away. (remember we don’t rewire in a vacuum!) Getting away allowed me time to reflect, take stock, and more importantly live in the moment, which isn’t always easy. The weekend was fun, fulfilling and a success for me and I had the chance to combine several goals.

Why am I telling you this? It’s an idea that might work for you. Maybe you should try repackaging a few goals. Getting rewired is about changing your mindset, then about changing your actions. When I looked at my goals, yes I actually wrote them out, I saw key themes that supported my desire for more balance and centeredness in my life. It’s just a beginning and I know I’ll make up excuses for why I can’t do yoga or see a friend but at least I’ll be more aware of my own excuses! I’ve also learned to breathe differently, (something I can do anywhere) and even discovered FitTV a channel that offers Namaste Yoga. It’s not even Spring yet and I’m on my way!

Rewirement Tips v.2 - See the Big Picture

2008-02-20T09:54:00.000-05:00

There are so many things to consider as you contemplate your future. You need to see the "Big Picture", as best as you can, and you also need to look at your daily life and think of how it will be impacted if you retired or as we call it rewired! To help you with your thought process here are more tips to consider:

Accept retirement as a time of - and for - change.
Think about what will change in your life, and what you want to change. Also cite what you don’t want to have changed.

Get to know yourself.
Make time to discover who you really are. Spend time alone each day. Don’t negate your own ideas. Capture even your off-beat thoughts in your journal, and refer to it often.

Determine what you want in retirement vs. what you need.
Wants and needs are two different things. Needs are what you have to have, and wants are what would be nice to have. Create a checklist for each.

Fill in the blanks on What happiness is---.
Think about your current life and jot down what in it makes you most happy. Also note what’s missing that you would like to have.

Talk to former and current work associates about their retirement plans.
Openness can lead to answers and solutions. Find out what has been successful and what would they do differently. Create a composite of traits and activities that you admire in others’ retirements and would seek in your own. Discover to what they attribute their success.

Try phasing into retirement.
Many employers will consider transferring employees to jobs with reduced responsibilities, schedules and pay as a step prior to entering full retirement. Investigate opportunities within your organization.

Talk to family members.
Share your retirement plans with those close to you. You and your family need to communicate at this time. Don’t risk having them feel left out or being the last to know. Don’t be swayed by their comments if they don’t work for you. If you hit communications roadblocks with your partner, consider counseling.

Go out on top.
It’s great to set your own agenda and leave on a high. Prior to this year the last seven winning Super Bowl coaches retired after they won the Super Bowl.

Why Do So Many People Hate Today's Words?

2008-01-28T09:40:00.000-05:00

What’s going on?

Having recently given presentations in Chicago, LA, San Antonio and New York, I have been struck by how vocal people have become about words they hate! Several years ago when we were researching ideas for Don’t Retire, REWIRE!, we heard rumblings about how many people disliked the word retirement. They didn’t like the image it evoked; they didn’t like the definition of the word and they couldn’t relate to it. We knew that our concept of rewiring would offer pre- and post-retirees an alternative way to think about and plan for their future. Although we created the term rewirement we realize now that we don’t care what people call their future life stage, we care more about how they live or “do” their future.

Now it seems that people dislike most words that have anything to do with aging! It’s like there is a rebellion going on. People have shot down the words-- Senior, elder, mid-life, older, mature…and the list goes on! When I started hearing people complain, it made me think about the first time someone said, “Thank you, “Ma'am! to me. All I could think was “What? Or the famous Robert De Niro line from Taxi Driver…”you talking to me?” I thought, “I’m still cool! How can you call me Ma'am?” It meant that that younger person, saw me as older, (notice I didn’t say old) and I was shocked.

AARP says that “60 is the new 40.” Studies cite people seeing themselves as 10 -12 years younger than they really are. So is it just boomers wanting to be younger? No. When a 90 year old woman told me that she volunteers and that her job is to take the blood pressure of the “old” people, I thought who is she talking about? She proudly said, “92 and 94 year olds!” This is not a boomer rebellion about certain words, this is broader and in the mind set of many. It was then that I discovered a great article in AGING TODAY, called WORDS TO AGE BY: A GUIDE ON STYLE AND USAGE. The link will take you to the November-December 2007 issue for at least another 3 weeks. Then it will be in "Back Issues" at the bottom of that page. When you get to the page, just scroll down to "Words to Age By." Although written for the media I think it is a good read for all of us!

So just to be safe if you see me on the street just yell out…Hey You! And I’ll answer.

Vacations Can Be A Good Way To Rewire -- If Used Properly!

2008-01-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

We went to India during the holidays. It was the first time that Rick, my co-author/husband and I, had been away from our families for Christmas, and the first time that we had ever traveled with a group let alone a group on a bus! The result was an unbelievable trip on every level and I thank TRAVCOA for that. As much as some of us want or even need to be in control, there is something to be said for turning control over to others and having them supply the structure and schedules. India is a very complex country; made up of extremes (www.bestindiansites.com) and trying to understand India’s beauty and poverty forced me to live in the moment or maybe I was just ready to live in the moment.

Although I carried a Global Blackberry with me, I did not allow it to intrude on my trip. I wasn’t beholden to it; yes the work I do allowed me that freedom but I realize that going forward I will use my Blackberry as tool of freedom not as a tool to tie me down. It’s a head shift, but one I need. Once I began to reflect on why the trip was so terrific, I realized that I had allowed all of my senses to become a part of the Indian experience. I totally immersed myself in all of the sights, smells and sounds of a very magical country.

During a dinner conversation on the third night of the trip, I made a comment and a fellow traveler asked, what do you do professionally? I thought for a minute, and said, “I’ll tell you in few days.” Rick was stunned but smiled. I didn’t want to talk about rewiring. I didn’t want to talk about retirement or pensions, or life planning, or the mature workforce. I was on holiday! Later in the week I told people about DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! and about my speeches and audiences.

When I got back to New York I realized that I had desperately needed time off from talking about the future and about other people’s next acts. I had rewired my own energy and come back to work ready to rewire America but with a greater understanding of myself and the world around me.

Do you hink about how you use your vacations? Or more important, do you take vacations?

Whether you’re on vacation or just doing life, try living more in the moment. Let me tell you, it takes practice, but the benefits can be enormous.

Don’t Drag Out the Same New Year’s Resolutions This Year

2007-12-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

I’m tired of meeting woulda, coulda, shoulda people...you know who you are. You talk about the changes that you are going to make in the new year. You say that this is the year to get down to business, to plan, take action, get in control, and it sounds great, then nothing. We’ve all been there. There’s a gap between what we say, and what we do. There’s a lot of lip service going on. I’m not saying that we aren’t serious about making resolutions, or whatever we want to call them, I think that often the resolutions are things we think we “should” do. I’m challenging you to rewire your thinking about your resolutions! Yes, losing weight (weightwatchers.com), switching careers, (careerbuilder.com) volunteering (volunteermatch.com) or just getting your life in balance is good…but let me add a resolution that is a little different…Take the time to discover what makes you tick.

Yes, stop and reflect on YOU. Gain some SELF KNOWLEDGE.

Many people over 50, even 45, are thinking about their future...from the financial standpoint, but also from the “what can I do today to make life better today and tomorrow?” I say this is the year to take an inward journey…to discover what drives or motivates you. If you have no idea where or how to begin…check out the 85 drivers listed in DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! Look at your life and ask where am I getting fulfillment? And if it comes up a little empty then there’s your opportunity to add new activities. Start looking inside before you look outside for answers.

Make that a resolution!

Jeri's Rewirement Tips

2007-12-14T12:16:00.000-05:00

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here is a list of tips I like to give people to get them going in the right direction. Enjoy!

Don’t think too small when you do your rewirement planning.
This is the time to “let the kite out!”

Know why you want to retire.
Your decision should not be based solely on your hitting a certain age or a certain financial number.

Plan ahead.
Challenge the conventional notion of retirement. Begin planning with your specific interests and needs at the top of your mind. The goal is to create a customized retirement for yourself or as we call it rewirement®.

Start a rewirement journal.
Set it up by section. Write down your thoughts, dreams and goals. Refer back to it often.

Define what retirement means to you.
Identify how you perceive it---positive, negative, or mixed--- and know why.

Don’t covet your neighbor’s retirement.
Seek advice but remember what may be terrific for your neighbor may not be right for you.

Determine what you consider to be a good rewirement and why.
Develop a list of ingredients that you think constitute a happy future. Record the criteria in your journal and note ideas on how to achieve them.

Identify what activities and associations will end with retirement.
Some things that end will be out of your control, others won’t be. Identify which ones you’ll miss.

Accept rewirement as a time of-- and for-- change.
Think about what will change in your life, and what you want to change. Also cite what you don’t want to have changed.

Acknowledge how you handle change.
Do you run from it; thrive on it; embrace it; lead it? This insight should guide your planning.

Keep your values close.
Our values are our anchors. Is work your anchor? Recognize that the absence of work may leave you feeling adrift.

Curiosity May Be the Key To Happiness

2007-11-27T16:35:00.000-05:00

I am a “social voyeur” who thinks that the holidays are a great time to learn about life. As an author and speaker I like to eavesdrop. It’s what keeps me on the cutting edge of change. Thanksgiving gave me a lot of opportunities to listen and learn. I discovered that everything that I either wrote about in DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! or talk about in my speeches was happening within my own family and circle of friends. I’m always telling audiences that since we are living longer and healthier lives that we need to be challenging ourselves to imagine new possibilities and to dream bigger dreams. When I surveyed my own family and friends I realized that some people are thrilled about living longer while others aren’t. Some are going for the gusto every day, and others are complaining every day!

I was surprised to learn that an old friend, who had never appeared to be too adventurous in the past, was looking in to going into the PEACE CORPS (www.peacecorps.gov). That brought out a range of comments from “is she crazy?” to “I wish I had done something like that when I was younger.” I realized that I was with an ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifssortment of glass half full and half empty people! My Mom, a real on the go woman of 82, always said if you are a pill at age 20, the odds are you’ll be a pill at age 60, 70 and 80! I believe that people can change if they want to, but I also believe that people need to make a conscious effort to change their attitude and jumpstart their future. Here were physically healthy people at our Thanksgiving table who had gotten mentally stale. They needed to be rewired, and actually I think wanted to be, since a few admitted to boredom. My natural instinct was to try and discover what was stopping them from pursuing new activities, or looking at the future with a new set of eyes, or even just taking a different road to get to the mall! But somehow I didn’t think that a rewiring™ workshop over pumpkin pie and coffee would cut it.

During dinner I casually said that I wish that we could create a curiosity gene…I thought that that was what society needed. I happened to mention that it was one of the 10 Nuggets of Knowledge we cited in the Second Edition of DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! then I left the room. I wanted to give the gang a little food for thought, but not a speech!

My 25 year old niece, who had been quietly listening, asked “is there anything I should be doing to rewire?” I didn’t want to get into a conversation on saving for the future and the power of compounding, I want her to like me, not run every time she sees me, so I said, “ Listen to Jean Chatsky on OPRAH and FRIENDS (www2.oprah.com), she’s got a cool show that addresses a variety of life planning questions.” I felt like I had done some good without coming off as the heavy.

The holidays are a wonderful way to gauge how friends and family are doing, regardless of their age. Phone calls can only do so much, and yes/no answers are too easy. Everyone can use a little rewiring of their energy and their time. It’s easy to get in a rut. Take it from me. We all are there at one time or another!

A Rewirement Book and Blog Launch

2007-11-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

The Second Edition of DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! was released on November 8th and as a way to celebrate the book launch I’ve decided to begin my blog. I want to support the new book and you also as you use it to start your rewiring journey. It’s exciting to bring out a Second Edition that includes all of the on - target information and inspirational content of the first edition PLUS MORE!

The new content was inspired by letters from our readers---questions from our audiences---plus insights from my work as Senior Advisor at The Conference Board on the Mature Workforce. Now that the leading edge boomers are 61 and realizing that we are living longer…healthier…and younger lives, the search for answers and ideas on how to get the future “right” has only increased! First I don’t believe that there is one way “to do the future”…. as I say ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL that’s why creating your rewirement based on your motivators and interests is so important. It doesn’t matter whether you’re married, single, working, already retired or thinking that you’ll never retire…you still need to think about what you’ll do or want to do in the future.

DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! Second Edition is filled with cutting–edge realities that can impact your rewiring…from partners struggling to figure out their futures…to workers trying to combat real and perceived ageism…to having “scripts” to use as you rewire into new paid, volunteer or fun activities.

I’ve come to think about the future in terms of the 6 F’s:

Having fun

Being fulfilled

Continuing to grow financially

Staying physically and mentally fit

Spending time with friends and family

Recognizing the fear that the future is about the unknown and going forward any way

In a recent speech a man thanked me for challenging him to look at the future differently (that’s the reason I’m wearing the wild glasses). I needed to do something to shock people into seeing that I’m really serious about looking at the future with a new set of eyes. After a bit of laughter---they get it! We all need to look at the future differently. You’ve got to rewire your mindset before you can rewire your actions and get exciting results. We need to lighten up about the future. Rewiring shows you how. It’s about thinking...then doing!