Create Your Own (CYO) Opportunity

Just because you’ve reached the age of “advanced maturity” (55+) and the brass ring of “retirement” with a functional parachute doesn’t mean you’re ready to join the Geritol Generation, right? 

Heck NO!!! You may not realize it yet, but as a newly retired Baby Boomer, you are in the catbird seat to create a brand new “CYO” opportunity for yourself. 

A first step to a CYO opportunity is self-assessment. A few questions to ponder and get you started: 

• What do you already know how to do (by profession or hobby) that would be valuable information or a skill to teach to someone else? Another language? Playing a musical instrument? Using a specialized software program like Quickbooks or Adobe Photoshop? 
• What are you truly passionate about? Healthy eating? Physical or Mental Fitness? Recycling? Green-living? The key is to identify and pursue your passion! It may be through volunteering or a paid job. But if you don’t know what your passion is, you can’t focus your energy on a path to pursue it. 
• Is there something “whimsical” that you always wanted to do but that wasn’t exactly lucrative when you were younger? Well now that you’ve worked and paid your dues, built a nice nest egg and can afford to be indulgent, why not go for it now? Always wanted to act on stage in front of a live audience? Join a local theater production at your church. Become a tour guide in your city. Partner with a local real estate agent and conduct walking tours of your neighborhood for new residents. 
• Love meeting new people and helping your elderly neighbors? Offer to drive them to doctor appointments or the grocery store. Offer to walk their dog(s) twice a day. Or something as small as stopping by or calling to make a daily “wellness check” as you go about your own errands. 

The key is to recognize your hidden (or forgotten) skills and talents, and capitalize on them to create and pursue a new career path for yourself. 

You’ve got a good 20-30+ years before your “expiration date”. Make them count! 

Retirement from a job is NOT retirement from life. For us Baby Boomers, retirement from one job is only a stepping stone to our next life adventure. 

There are many resources available on the web that can support you in your quest for the next phase of your life.  One place to look is www.careerpivot.com.  Marc Miller has many resources available to help you.

Another place to check is Repurpose Your Career – A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers which is available on Amazon.com. This is a small investment for potentially thousands of dollars in income.

My friend Mar Miller is the November 14th guest on my radio show. He will be discussing his new book titled Personal Branding for Baby Boomers – What It Is, How to Manage It, and Why It’s No Longer Optional. Mark you calendars and join us for this show. I read the book and it is a step by step guide to creating your personal brand. 

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