Gayle Carson | Spunky Old Broad | Women Over 50

25th July, 2011 - Posted by admin - No Comments

July 25, 2011

Spent this past few days at the FSAE conference. That’s the Florida
Society of Association Executives. I have been a member forever, and
haven’t attended a conference for a while, but it was in Miami so I
really couldn’t say no. Knew some of the speakers (from NSA–National
Speakers Association), and enjoyed the programs. Plus I made some new
friends, I wore my red boa and my purple boa because they said we
should wear feathers one night and boy, did I! Of course, the red bled
all over my jewelry, my hair, and onto my towels. sheets and pillowcases.
Now they’re back in storage for another 20 years!

We hit the Fontainebleau, the Doral, the Hyatt Regency, the Lucky Strike
Lanes and everyone put on a huge spread for us. It was Miami and Miami
Beach at its best.

Off to Philadephia this week. Going to see some old friends and I’m sure
make new ones there as well.

One of the things that I am finding is much more clarity and vision as to
who and what I’m about and I get more and more enthusiastic about all of
you and what your dreams and goals are. Remember, if there is anything
special you want me to address, just email me at [email protected]
and let me know.
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Question and Answer:

Q: Everyone tells me I don’t look my age, but I am 52 and think some of
the clothes I wear are too young for me, and I enjoy going out a lot too.
I like having fun, but other people my age seem to be a lot older. Are
you ever too old for certain things?

A: Age is a state of mind. If you’re in good shape, have a lot of
energy and love life, you probably do look younger than your actual age.
And that’s terrific. If your clothes fit you, don’t show too much skin,
and you have great legs go for it. I have seen a lot of 18 year olds whose
legs leave much to be desired, have big middles and show too much cleavage.
I would look at a casual picture of yourself and see the impression you get.
Going out is fine if you’re single–just don’t drink too much. That’s when
you lose your inhibitions. If you’re married, then you are probably with
your spouse or maybe have an occasional girls night out. Ask your real
friends what they think. They should be honest with you.
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Tips:
1. Clear, honest, direct, tactful, feeling communication–saying what you mean
and asking for what you want–is the only way to succeed.
2. List the things that make you smile and events you wish you had more time
available to do, and people you’d like to meet or spend time with.
3. Recognizing your stressors ahead of time can save a lot of grief and help
kick butt.
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FEATURE ARTICLE:

RE-INVENTING THE SECOND HALF OF YOUR LIFE

How exciting! You’re midway through your life, you’ve put some money away,
you’ve successfully raised your family and you’re left your own mark on the world.

What?? You haven’t?? None of these things describe you? You need extra money?
You aren’t close to anyone? Time has passed you by?

Well, this is YOUR time! You can be anything you want to be.

Would you like to be an interim CEO? Take over a company and turn it around?
Be the one responsible for a company’s second chance? If you’ve had a successful
career as head of a company or division, you just may be the one. Some
organizations need someone strong in sales and marketing, while others need
someone with financial and operational skills. Others need a strategist and
someone who can put the right people in the right places.

Turn around specialists are hard to find and if you’ve done that in your past
life, this may be your chance at a whole new kind of career.

Perhaps there is something fun on your list that you could never do because of
all your responsibilities. You cannot believe the educators, retired execs,
business owners, scientists etc., who I have met, who are now driving shuttle
vans, acting as tour guides and greeters, simply because they meet interesting
people, have fun and little responsibility except for insuring people are
treated well.

Some of you have been pursuing hobbies both difficult and intricate, and have
become insanely proficient at them. Are those things you can turn into a
part-time business or something you can teach at neighborhood community centers.
Perhaps you can write a column for the local paper or do a talk show on it if
it appeals to the public. Things like gardening, cooking, embroidery and
decorating are things that the public really likes.

Perhaps you always wanted to have a particular career, and because of
circumstances and responsibilities you weren’t able to accomplish it. Now’s
your chance. It’s the perfect time. I know people who went to law school
at 50, or went back and got a college degree and even moved to a different
part of the country or world!

You may not want to work at all, but go on adventure trips, have a second
home in an exotic locale, or spend time with grandchildren.

It doesn’t matter! This is your time. Make the most of it.

I know you’ve heard this before, but it really does work. If you could
wave a magic wand and have or do anything you wanted, what would it be?
Do you realize that most people can’t answer that question because they’
ve never stopped long enough to sit down and think?

Do that now! Be quiet. Breathe and relax. Let your mind just be. Visualize
how your special day will look. How do you want to spend each and every day?
You will start to become aware of what works for you.

Visualization isn’t easy for me, but verbalizing is. People have come back
to me at various times and commented to me “You always said you wanted
to…..” and it’s something I am now doing. If you are clear enough and can
see it yourself, your sub-conscious mind will see that you get it.

So if you come to that mid-life crisis or beyond, start your plan. Get the
skills to make it happen if you don’t have them. Figure out a time frame
that works for your situation. Then work your plan.

Now there are some of you who are already putting up road blocks. “I don’t
have the money.” “I don’t have the energy.” “I have too many responsibilities.”
“Other people depend on me.” Those are your roadblocks. And you can make
them go away. It depends on what you want more.

All those other things that interfered with your desires can still be hanging
on if you let them.

You’ve paid your dues. You’ve raised your family, paid your bills, taken
care of others and gone the extra mile.

It is your time. Some of you will go for it, and others won’t. I’m an
S.O.B.–A Spunky Old Broad and I am always re-inventing myself. People think
I’m crazy and should be staying home, retired and doing all the things I’ve
always wanted to do.

The only thing they don’t realize is that I have always done what I wanted.
That’s why I don’t have regrets and continue to thrive.