We are here to prove that Rocky Balboa isn’t the only 60 year old looking for a challenge.[1] | ||
| --Max Stier, president, The Partnership for Public Service | ||
We’re nearing the end of the book, and you now have many of the tools you need to rewire. To give you a competitive edge, in this chapter, we offer some final insights and strategies you can adapt to any situation or possibility profile.
There’s a reason futurists call our time right now the “Age of Individual Responsibility.” Because it’s all up to you. You’re the one to make everything happen, whether you want to do work that’s full-time, part-time, or seasonal; buy a franchise; open a boutique; join the Peace Corps; become a starter at a golf course; or do missionary work.
As you go forward, be aware that bosses, people who may hire you, and co-workers and colleagues will often have preconceived notions about mature workers that are wrong and based on myths and stereotypes.[2] Here are some negative myths about mature workers. Mature workers ...
Are set in their ways, slow to change, and can’t be retrained.
Don’t know technology and are reluctant to learn.
Have problems relating to younger workers or younger bosses.
Are all planning on retiring as soon as they’re retirement-eligible.
Are not physically fit and have low energy.
Think they have all the answers.
Aren’t staying current.
In the following sections, we show you ways to debunk these negative myths.
There are positives about the mature worker. The following widely acknowledged realities about mature workers also happen to be good reasons to hire you. Mature workers ...
Are flexible and adaptable; change has been a constant.
Have good time management skills.
Can mentor others.
Are reliable.
Have the experience, insights, and knowledge that save time, reduce mistakes, and improve productivity.
Understand workplace politics.
Relate to older customers, clients, and suppliers.
Are not necessarily seeking a promotion or a career path.
Reduce employer turnover costs.
How you present yourself when you network and connect with others has a lot to do with how successful you will be in achieving your goals. The rest of this chapter includes ideas on how you can position yourself and leverage situations so others will want to help you “connect the dots.”
Successful rewirees know that getting what you want depends on how you present yourself and your skills. It isn’t just about what you do, but also about how you look. Time for a reality check!
The biggest objection to older workers is that their skills are dated.[3] To deal with this, take courses, study, read, or get others to tutor you. Do whatever you have to do to be current in technology and communication skills. Be sure you have an e-mail account and know how to use it. If a new client or boss wants you to use a BlackBerry, be prepared to do so, or be prepared to turn down the assignment.
Master the constantly changing language of the workplace, including new buzzwords, expressions, and phrases (e.g., spaghetti marketing, blamestorming, upskilling, etc.). Try to find out what the phrases mean before you meet potential clients or interview for paid or volunteer work, or even go on informational interviews. Look for new words and phrases when you read newspapers, magazines, or blogs, and search online to find out what they mean. Be up on what’s new.[4]
You can further counteract age myths by offering strong and positive reasons why you can do the job. Eliminate any concerns up front. Tell interviewers why you’re the person they should hire as a consultant, use as a volunteer, or put on a community board. Do your homework so you can link your strengths to the organization’s profile.
The pre-retirees we’ve profiled throughout the book—Tom, Paula, Bob, Carol, and others—come from different backgrounds and have different rewirement goals. But they have one thing in common: they’re all independent-minded enough to take control of their lives. They listen to what makes them tick. They don’t wait around for “life” to happen; they go out and make it happen. One rewiree we worked with says that when someone says to him “You can’t do that,” his response is “Who says?”
Now that you’ve come this far in your rewire process, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. You’re aware of the relationship and societal realities that exist and are prepared to manage any challenges associated with them.
When they face situations that aren’t perfect, rewirees aren’t rigid. They don’t define success too narrowly and don’t need a single outcome to say a situation is a success. They are able to take in feedback, see alternatives, and adapt without giving up their dream. When they have to, they are also able to discard and move on.
Rewirees who get the most out of their rewired lives are optimistic, too. Even if you’re not a natural optimist, try to practice optimism. Surround yourself with optimistic people, and stay away from negative people.
Tip
Do an attitude check. There is no replacement for a PMA—positive mental attitude. If you don’t have one, work on developing one. Focus on attitude and effort, as these are the only two things in life we can control. And keep your sense of humor handy. When you laugh, your muscles relax, your breathing deepens, and oxygen fills your bloodstream. Laughing is good for the body, for the soul, and for those around you.
When you’re in a grocery store, what do you see? Products of all types are sitting on shelves. What sets one apart from the others? How it looks? The message it conveys? Is it new and improved? Does it have greater efficacy?
What sets you apart? If you’re looking to get a job or apply for a volunteer opportunity, what unique experience do you have that makes you different? What do you offer? Why should someone hire you? Suggest you run for office? Chair a committee?
Think about it a minute. How have you “packaged” yourself? Have you been “repackaged”? Should you be? Take another minute to think of how you are physically and mentally positioning yourself to friends and associates who could help you. Remember, you are the product. Make yourself unique.
Are you fit and healthy? If you are, it shows. Your energy is up and you’ve probably got a bounce in your step! Doors will open if you are seen as a vital, fit, positive person who cares and is passionate about what he or she is going after, as people are willing to help those who put out positive energy. Being passionate about an interest is an impression you want to convey. You do this through your energy, attitude, and sincerity.
One man we know, who is in his 60s, mentioned in an interview a recent climbing trip he took in Nepal. We’re not saying you have to climb in the Himalayas, but be sure you’re projecting an attitude that your age is not a hindrance to you trying and doing new and challenging things.
Tip
Adopt the motto WIT—whatever it takes. Show that you’re willing to go the extra mile to get what you want. Present yourself as an energetic, enthusiastic, experienced individual who can get the job done!
It’s important to keep your brain healthy and active, too. The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and NRTA AARP’s Education Community together have a program called “Staying Sharp,” which to us sums it up. Check it out online at www.aarp.org/health/brain and www.dana.org/about/dabi.
We can’t say enough about the importance of curiosity. Being curious stimulates the imagination, starts dialogue through questions, and sets you apart as someone who is really interested in the subject. When others think you’re really interested in something, they’ll become more engaged in your needs and try to be more helpful. Rewirees have admitted blowing networking opportunities because they didn’t ask questions. They didn’t want to be vulnerable so they walked away empty-handed. Dare to be like a kid—they always ask questions.
We’re not saying you have to get a whole new wardrobe or a facelift, but don’t look dated. Be sure you’re not sporting clothing or hairstyles that make you look either too young or too old. The goal is to look “with it” and age-appropriate.
And don’t assume a potential client has no dress code. Do a little investigation. Also, just because you “dress up” for meetings doesn’t mean everyone does. As one rewiree said, “I walked into an industry luncheon and felt like a school principal. I was the only one with a tie!”
A friend of ours in his 50s told us about a conversation he had while lunching with much younger colleagues. When the topic of Kennedy’s death came up, everyone agreed how shocked they had been. They began to trade notes about where they were and how they heard:
“I remember it was around Thanksgiving,” our friend said.
“No, it was in the summer,” the woman responded.
“Oh, no! I’m sure it was in November. November 22. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“Oh you mean his father,” she said, laughing. “We’re talking about JFK Jr.!”
After our friend turned red in embarrassment, he realized his mistake. He had not considered the ages of his colleagues and their different viewpoints. They were from the baby bust generation (born 1965 through 1976) and the echo-boom generation (born 1977 through 1997). There’s no way they had the presidential assassination of JFK Sr. as their frame of reference. They weren’t even born yet.
It’s important to be “with it” and know what the issues are outside your own generation. How in touch are you with what other generations think and feel? How often do you talk with people of different ages? Do you know what’s going on today outside your peer group? To stay vital and plugged in, you should consider making friends with people of different ages.
Before you start exploring your possibilities, present your story in a resumé, bio, or CV or through a one-page, bullet-pointed, prioritized synopsis of your major accomplishments. (Use the format that best helps you and is appropriate for the role you’re pursuing.) In a time-challenged world, this is a real help to the interviewer. Boiling your story down to a one-page accomplishment sheet helps people you’re networking with better understand who you are, what you’ve done, and what makes you right for the role you’re seeking.
Tip
Be sure you have a business card, too. It’s better than having to write your name and number on a napkin or a piece of paper when someone asks for it.
No matter what, resumés should be no longer than two pages. Focus on your most recent, relevant experience and significant accomplishments. The last 10 work years should do it. If you have a unique set of credentials you earned earlier than the last 10 years, put them under a “Other Significant Experience” header.
The resumé rarely gets you the job, but it does set the stage for the conversation. Lack of a “story” or a poorly written resumé can disqualify you before you even get in the game. Many books and online tools are available to help you write your story.
Many believe that success is based on who you know, but we believe it is based on who knows you. Networking remains critical, regardless of your stage of life or type of possibility being pursued. It’s an essential process for getting information and getting results. As Barbra Streisand sang, “People need people.” People are what networking is all about. Rewirees connect with people to explore and make their possibilities happen. They also use the information they get through their networking to rule out ideas, which saves time and money.
People don’t network for the sake of networking. They do it when they need to learn things. If you dislike networking, do it gradually and in stages to make it more acceptable to you. Networking is all about a healthy give-and-take between people. If you have a need, ask somebody. If they have a need, they’ll ask you. “Pure and simple, networking is all about relationships—keeping and cultivating them for life,” says Andrea Nierenberg, a friend and president of The Nierenberg Group, a consulting firm in New York City.
Your networking activities should be both in-person and virtual, and could include meeting a person at Starbucks to get information as well as networking online. We recommend that you do an initial Internet word search on each of your possibilities. Gather information and lay a foundation for yourself. Doing your homework shows you went the extra mile and, more importantly, people expect it.
Powerful new ways of communicating have emerged on the web that allow people to expand their community and their knowledge. Look at social networking sites such as www.Linkedin.com as a new resource for connections and information. You can get caught up in the sites, though, so be sure to manage your time.
People who rewire network to ...
Explore their possibilities.
Discover and connect with the leaders or the key “people to know” in a specific area of interest.
Ask key people what they think it will take to make a dream a reality. (Hint: Write down their comments. People are flattered when you do, and on the flip side, they hate it when you don’t. At the very least, say you’ll remember what they tell you.)
Identify organizations, clubs, and associations to help gain knowledge of an interest, a cause, or a business.
Stay up on new trends/products/technologies.
Find out about costs/competition/job requirements.
Know who the competition is for a specific opportunity.
Find a mentor or role model.
Stay relevant, cutting-edge, and in the game.
A good beginning is to identify who is in your network. Draw up a list of former and current work acquaintances, making a different list of people for each specific area of interest. Consider customers, co-workers, clients, lawyers, bankers, accountants, or anyone who you think could be helpful. Don’t limit yourself by assuming someone can’t help you. You never know! Include people of different ages, too. One rewiree was shocked to discover that all his business clients were in their late 50s and early 60s and all chose to sell their businesses within seven months of each other! It put him out of business. Think broadly. People with answers are all around you. You just have to know what to ask.
If you already have a network, you’ll want to strengthen and expand it. You need to feed and care for your network, and not just contact them when you need them. When was the last time you took someone to lunch or phoned someone in your network to share some useful information? Keep your network strong by reciprocating and letting people know you care. You won’t rewire by yourself.
Informational interviews are useful no matter what you’re looking to do. You can use them to explore a dream, investigate an interest, seek out a volunteer position, gather information about specialized travel opportunities, or become an independent contractor. After your networking has gotten you the informational interview, here are some things to consider:
Present what you want to do and why you’re speaking to them. Be concise.
Create a list of relevant questions to ask.
Determine what skills and/or credentials are needed to achieve your goal and what’s critical for success.
Elicit possible obstacles or issues.
Inquire about other resources and individuals to contact.
The people who seem to get the most out of rewirement acknowledge fear and use it creatively. “I have this theory that you should challenge your fears when you’re in your sixties,” says Jim, 65.[5]
Roger Rosenblatt, in his book Rules for Aging, refers to a useful fear technique as pushing the wheel forward.[6] He relates that jet pilots attempting to break the sound barrier instinctively pulled back on the wheel to slow the jet down after it neared the sound barrier and started to shake violently. When they did that, the planes inevitably crashed. The pilot who was first able to break the sound barrier pushed harder on the wheel.
The lesson: When you’re facing fear, it’s sometimes better to push harder when you feel like easing up.
Other people rely on being balanced as a way to reduce tension. A big-picture perspective enables many to be positive and know that other opportunities would come along. Instead of seeing being an independent contractor as a ticket to instability, they’re able to look at it as a free ticket to a customized schedule.
Sometimes rewiring means getting your creativity back after years of disuse. A woman we met from Charlotte, North Carolina, summed it up: “I’m excited about the future, but I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ve lost my creativity. I used to have an imagination, but first my parents, then guidance counselors, and finally corporate America beat it out of me. I would go to a marketing conference and hear a motivational speaker who told us to think out of the box. But when I tried to, my boss would tell me, ‘Get back in the box—we were only kidding!’ Now, I am committed to getting my creativity back!”
Living the best rewired life possible involves coming up with your own creative solutions. As you rewire, you’ll make new connections, gain insight into yourself, and be challenged to think more broadly. You might even feel uncomfortable. Go with it. Let go of what we call “old think”—that certain way we perceive ourselves—and dare to create something new.
We discovered a new trend in our research. Retirement and rewirement are “going competitive.” The stakes have been raised in the game we call “Can You Top My Rewirement?” How many great hobbies do you have? Which exotic places have you visited? What great boards do you sit on? What mountains have you climbed? We live in a competitive society where the most commonly asked question—“What do you do?”—has now crossed over into retirement and rewirement.
It’s easy to get caught up in doing things to impress others. Don’t fall into that trap, though. Don’t plan your future on someone else’s agenda. Stick to fulfilling your own drivers and dreams.
Never lose sight of what’s important to you. Above all, be sure your rewirement is your own. The next time someone asks when was the last time you climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, you can just say, “I don’t find any driver fulfillment in that.”
We created the concept of rewirement because we believe people should never stop growing and being productive. We have seen how meaningful work gives life purpose. But at the same time, we know that no one can force you to grow. For a rewired life to have meaning, the effort has to come from you.
We hope you’ll take everything you’ve learned in this book and move forward to find the rewired life of your dreams. We wish you the most fulfilling rewired journey possible. Successful rewirees live by the motto: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Your tomorrow is in front of you. All you have to do is go for it.