Older and Bolder

It takes courage, fortitude, and a tolerance for risk to become an entrepreneur at any age.  Whilst most of us want flexibility and autonomy in our work, setting up and operating a business requires a high degree of confidence and enthusiasm, a wide range of skills, is time consuming, and is generally harder than working for someone else.  Nevertheless, there is an emerging trend for people to start a business for the first time in later life, and this has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  And, according to the New Zealand Office for Seniors, self-employment income for older people is projected to significantly increase in the future. 

Why do individuals in the second half of life choose to change gears, and go down this route?  What is the trigger?  What motivates them?  What is the nature of the businesses they establish, and how do they go about it?  Want to know more?  Check out ‘Changing Gears: Entrepreneurs@50+’.  In this book you’ll meet 33 later life entrepreneurs, who share a snapshot of their business ideas, their challenges and how they overcame them, and their aspirations for the future.  This easy-to-read book also offers lots of tips, and useful websites for anyone who is considering going down this route and has received excellent reviews from readers.

‘Changing Gears: Entrepreneurs @ 50+’ is available in Kindle and paperback formats from your favourite online bookstores e.g., Amazon, Fishpond.NZ, Barnes and Noble and Books & Co, in Ōtaki

Various events, including workshops about the book are being scheduled (for details see Workshops and Events scheduled 2023 Workshops / Events (angelarobertson.nz) If you are interested in hosting an event in your district, email Angela kiaora@angelarobertson.nz

#self-actualisation #fulfillment #encore careers #entrepreneurs in later life

In association with the annual celebration of the International Day of Older Persons, the 3rd and 4th collections of inspirational cameo stories in the Older and Bolder series have now been published.  The awesome men and women featured in these books come from all walks of life and range in age from 50+-101 years – what’s more, they all live in New Zealand. 

These individuals challenge the stereotype that advancing age means a narrowing down of life choices. Despite their wildly different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and regardless of their age and circumstances, they are expanding their horizons, moving out of their comfort zones and take advantage of the opportunities around them. They show us that we can change gears, start new projects and forge new relationships at any age if we want to. Inspired by their example so can we.

The official double book launch is being held on 15th October, 10am at the Ocean Road Community Centre, Paraparaumu. The guest speakers are Diane Turner, the Director of the Office for Seniors, and Liz Koh, Director of Enrich Retirement and you’ll get meet some of the men and women whose stories feature in the books.  Paperback copies of the books can be purchased at the event or from your favourite online bookstores and are also available in Kindle and e.book formats.  Email Angela for more details kiaora@angelarobertson.nz

Watch this space as further speaking engagements are planned to be held in other locations in the near future.

Increased longevity is a global phenomenon.  Virtually every country in the world is experiencing a growth in the size and proportion of people aged 65 and over and that includes New Zealand.  With increased life expectancy and dramatic improvements in health care, by the time most of us access our superannuation savings we’ll have potentially only lived for two-thirds of our lives! 

The world is changing and while we are all growing older, we are not ‘over the hill’, ‘worn out’, ‘un-productive’, ‘old’ or ‘elderly’ at any pre-determined age.  These pernicious labels are archaic, often used disparagingly, and are unhelpful.  Our mindset and the language we use really does matter – how we feel and speak about ageing impacts on how we age.  Age is just a number – not an impediment.  Internet entrepreneur Gina Pell advocates the ‘Perennial Mindset in the Era of the Ageless’ – a growth mindset.  “Perennials are ever blooming, relevant people of all ages who know what’s happening in the world, stay current with technology and have friends of all ages”. 

Increased longevity offers so many opportunities to be older and bolder.  Compulsory retirement at a pre-determined age for most occupations, is a thing of the past in the developed world.  We can remain in the workplace, change careers, and start new businesses in later life if we choose to – and many do!  In reality, we can change direction and re-ignite our lives and lifestyles at any age – depending on our mindset.  We can develop new routines, learn new skills, start new projects and hobbies, strengthen our relationships with family and friends, and extend ourselves. 

Believing that a) life is full of possibilities, and b) that we learn from other people’s experiences, I began an incredible journey of my own. I randomly asked men and women living in New Zealand, over the age of 50, from all walks of life, to share their stories with me.  During our conversations I captured the context of their earlier lives, their aspirations, plans and perspectives, their resilience in the face of adversity, and the choices they made that shaped their future. With their permission, a lifetime of wildly different experiences has been condensed into the short cameo stories that feature in Older and Bolder series of books (available from your favourite online bookstores). 

The individuals you’ll meet in these books challenge the stereotype that advancing age narrows down the choices we make.  Whatever their age or circumstances, the people I chatted with are expanding their horizons, moving out of their comfort zones, taking advantage of the opportunities around them, and creating their own reality.  They show us that life is a continual adventure and we can change tempo and direction at any age if we choose to. Inspired by their example, so can we!

As new life stages emerge, they bring fresh opportunities, possibilities and exciting challenges for everyone.  Accepting that we all age differently, the gift of healthier extended lifespans allows us to be older and bolder in later life.  In fact, these decades can be the most creative, productive and enjoyable part of our lives – depending on our mindset! 

What thought’s come to mind when you think ahead?  What’s your mindset on ageing?  Are you looking forward with excitement or apprehension? 

Did you know? 

It is predicted that one in six people will be aged 65 and over by 2050 World Population Ageing 2019: Highlights (un.org).  In New Zealand it’s expected a fifth of the population will be aged 65 and over by 2034 Better Late Life – He Oranga Kaumtua 2019 to 2034 – Super Seniors (msd.govt.nz)

Globally, the population is ageing.  By 2025 there will be an estimated 1.25 billion people over the age of 60, increasing to an incredible 2 billion by 2050!  While ageing is inevitable, the second half of life is an opportunity to re-vision and re-ignite our lives – if we want to.

We can:

• change gears – if we choose to
• refocus our time and energy on things that matter most
• make conscious choices about we spend our time and who we spend out time with
• seek new opportunities and challenges
• channel our energy into activities that matter
• invest in meaningful relationships
• engage in productive work whether paid or unpaid
• start a business in later life
• learn a language
• start a new hobby
• maintain our health and wellbeing

Depending on your mindset, this phase of life can potentially be even more fulfilling that what has gone before.  While each of us are wired differently, how we age and how we feel about it influences our lifestyle choices.  We all know that the chances of living a full, healthy enjoyable life are higher than ever when we make good lifestyle choices to maximise the benefits and minimise the drawbacks of getting older.

For many, mid-life and beyond is a time for reflection.  Whether we are in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or older, it’s a phase in our lives when we take stock of what we’ve experienced to date – what we’ve achieved, and what and who is important in our lives.  We become mindfully aware of what has gone before and more mindful about the present and the future.   We consider our options and think “if not now then when?”  There is no way of knowing how long we are going to live, but increased longevity provides us with advantages and and opportunities that no previous generation has had.  So why not embrace the ageing process and make the most of our extended lifespans?  After all, life is a gift for us to enjoy, and it’s up to each of us to make the most of it.  As an anonymous  wise person once said….

“The only limits in life are the ones you make”

Angela Robertson has over 30 year’s experience as a professional learning and development practitioner, coach, writer and speaker.  She inspires and supports individuals of all ages to maximise their potential, and engage in new and enriched experiences to enhance the quality of their lives.  She has published two non-fiction books of inspirational short stories about everyday men and women for whom chronological age is irrelevant.  Reflecting on their unique life experiences, these individuals constantly expand their horizons and create and make the most of the opportunities the future brings.  Inspired by their example, whatever our age and circumstances, so can we!  These publications are available from Paper Plus bookstores in New Zealand and can also be purchased online in paperback, e.book and kindle formats (Amazon, Fishpond, Barnes and Noble, Kobo etc. or directly from the author – Kiaora@angelarobertson.nz)        

ISBN 978-0-473-50082-5     ISBN 978-0-473-51912-4