Time to boldly go!

I've noticed an increase in "head shakers" on the road! And they all seem to be hesitant  drivers.
I first spotted it on holiday in South Devon. The roads down there have this quirky habit of suddenly narrowing to single vehicle width. It proved a bit of a challenge initially ...but I soon got the hang of it ....learning that to boldly go was the better strategy!  The locals on the other hand seemed  far less confident and very hesitant. Sometimes with fairly chaotic consequences.

Like on the first Sunday when having looked for a pub that was still serving lunch we were disappointedly leaving the car park of the fourth.  With the old Lexus barely a wheel arch out from the walled entrance ...traffic from both left and right screeched to a halt, forming an  immediate jam!    Drivers looked bewildered and indecisive.  But being a London boy weaned on Hammersmith Broadway traffic and the like ...my natural instincts and assurance took over. I assumed control  of the situation and boldly drove out through the gap. Heads shook in a mixture of respect and I suspect  some embarrassment too?
Then the second example. Leading a lengthy convoy along the same road, I pulled out to pass a land rover. It had rather carelessly parked obscuring a "Road Works" sign. It was when I drew level with the Land Rover that I spotted the red traffic signal ...just before I saw the oncoming stream of traffic. Instinctively I braked and reversed.
But the gap in the traffic that I had vacated was no longer there!  The convoy I had led was now queued in orderly fashion behind the Land Rover.  As I reversed slowly back along its line - now leading a "convoy" of cars coming in the opposite direction - I noticed successive drivers shaking their heads. I don't think it was in respect. 
I won't go into detail with the most recent incident involving a couple in Tesco's car park last Sunday. I think I'm begining to get the picture now.
Yes it seems I'm of that age! When allegedly we become less aware of situations around us. When our kids say we shouldn't be allowed out by ourselves!
But who says that this is the way of it? Because I actually see it quite differently.
I've finally realised that the rest of the world is hesitant and indecisive!
Say hello to a Reckless Wrinkly!
Still with lots to do, and sharp enough to notice there is a reducing amount of time to do it all. 
So whatever it is you want to do - new job! new home! new places to see! new love in your life!! Get reckless and boldly go for it now!  

Just off for a creativity nap!

Getting back into work mode has proved very difficult after the week away in South Devon. 
Sustained concentration has proved to be the problem.  Not a new one for me.  "Concentration"  was regularly mentioned in school reports in my early years, so no ...I wasn't leaping to the age conclusion. But it was odd and a little annoying that the old brain was very creative when I had switched off for my holiday  ...but then decided to switch itself off as soon as I got back to my desk to work?
Then I came across an article in Science Daily which seems to explain what is going on. In an unusual collaboration between psychology, engineering and architecture academics in Sheffied, Bradford and Germany, researchers have shown how tranquility enhances the functionality of the brain. It seems from scans that areas of the brain connect up and are in sync when enjoying such things as the soothing roar of breaking waves.

This strikes two chords with me. I fancy myself as a bit of an amateur psychologist. One of my favourite "research" projects is the link between relaxation and brain activity.  We know for example that the mind becomes more creative as we go into a state of deep relaxation or trance. Who hasn't experienced a "eureka" moment on emerging from sleep. Creativity coaches advocate that "sleeping on it!" is good for problem solving and creativity.
Buddist chanting, Shamanic drumming, tribal dancing all bring about altered state and indications are that this occurs around the Theta state when brain waves are between 4 to 7 Hz.
Hypnotherapists lead their subjects into this same state to access the sub-conscious and the deeply held beliefs and memories that sit there. Uncovering these as they resolve phobias and other behavioural change issues. 
Sportsmen and musicians getting "into the zone" relax their minds in what is an apparent accessing of a programmed code of subsequent peak performance.  
Meditation brings inner calm and strength through contemplation  ...perhaps the same is happening in prayer.
Plenty of similarity here. And then, when you think how much of the brain's space and functionality is un-used then all sorts of opportunities are imaginable!
So ....lots of reasons why meditation, power napping, walking through the park - whatever is your "switching off" habit - are to be encouraged as the ways to unlock our full mental capability.
And I guess as well I'm going to have to declutter and finally decorate my office into a more tranquil environment.
But I did say "two chords?"  The second one is ...I do indolence very well!

Maslow rules OK!

 "A much needed makeover for Maslow's Hierarchy!" When I read that article recently I was decidely unsettled.  Refresh Maslow? But I've been  preaching his "hierachy of need" theory for over 30 years. I'm a total believer!  And that's in Abraham's good old original version:

SELF-ACTUALISATION

         SELF-ESTEEM      

    SOCIAL-ACCEPTANCE   

              SECURITY             

                  SURVIVAL                 

I was reminded more than once of its continuing relevance when holidaying last week in beautiful South Devon.   An entertaining cameo reminder came when a three-generation family arrived to set up for a day on the beach.
Food, drink, chairs and windbreaks to support Survival were tirelessly ferried from the car.  Then their chosen spot was changed twice before a spot - defended at the rear by the sea wall and to the side by windbreaks - was seen to meet their  Security needs.  This was temporarily threatened by some self-interested positioning of chairs and disputes over towel ownership. But eventually this gave way to reconciling remarks like "eh this is the life!" and Social-Acceptance prevailed as Grandad and Dad teamed up to build a sandcastle for the little one. Unfortunately this became the usual contest of building skills as Self-esteem intervened.   With public approval favouring son-in-law's efforts, Grand-dad clearly saw sand-castles as unfulfilling and ultimately went off searching the cliff face for fossils and Self-actualisation!
There are several views on how Maslow hierarchy can be improved but in general they tend to either adapt or add to Self-actualisation. Personally I can understand this because for me Self-actualisation isn't so much something you achieve but a state where you are always looking for something new.

And this was the insight I gained when chatting with two very fit and well-sussed "senior" walkers.  They explained that they walk because they want to discover new places and also to progress   beyond the 638 miles they've previously walked. What they are  doing in the process is to continually re-ascend Maslow's hierachy each time they set off on new walking holiday.  Relishing the challenge of fresh Survival, Security and Social Acceptance needs ...and boosting Self-esteem and Self-actualisation to new levels.
And for us starting over again later in life and work should be seen in the same way ...as opportunity not threat. We assume a state of finality and inevitability ...perhaps because of convention and maybe courage too?
How about taking a chance on change? It beats building sand castles. 

Do we go looking for the age-ism thing?

Maybe sometimes we go looking for it? The age-ism thing I mean.
They've installed self-service checkouts in my local Sainsbury. I was pretty cool about it. I'd quickly got used to them elsewhere and so confidently went straight in as less certain shoppers queued at the attended checkouts. But the "orange sashed" helpers had to hover around me! You could read their minds. "He'll need some help!" Which I didn't! Well not until something totally new (and unnecessary in my view) came up on the display. So there they quickly were ...rescuing the old duffer whilst the attractive woman at the next check-out looked on ...with a condescending smile!
Same sort of thing when buying my tickets from a young bloke at the Odeon last Saturday.
I asked for two tickets ...adding with mock disbelief  "....and one of those will be a concession!"   "Yes ...don't worry!" he said "I've already taken it off!" 
What a liberty. Thinking I was 60 already! Patronising young herbert.
More was to come as I took my small bag of pick-a-mix and joined the queue for the "take in" ...that essential element of the "Fantastic Film" experience!
I couldn't see what was happening ahead of me at the counter.  People carrying skip fulls of popcorn and buckets of cola (clearly frequent customers) blocked my view.
So when a baseball-capped youth suddenly appeared I perhaps did hesitate for a second before proffering my modest purchase.
"Put it there" he said with disdain. "Where?"  "There!" He impatiently pointed to the weighing plate.    "£3.35!!"   No please or thank you!  I wandered off  nostalgically recalling evening-suited cinema managers and usherettes with ice-cream trays.
But on reflection I wonder how much of all those experiences was fantasy and over active imagination ...as opposed to reality.  Yes of course we jump to conclusions. It's the way the mind works. Understanding begins by making a generalised association with preconceived thought. Very often thought that has been influenced by external opinion!  Then we learn a bit more and we deal with things according to how we experience them and how they sit with our values system.
Which is how we need to treat the issue of ageism in employment. Pre-conception ...prejudice are natural and inevitable generalised reactions. They have very little lasting meaning or importance.
And we should deal with them as just that!

Getting back to work when you're over 50!

"Getting back to work when you're over 50?"  It's a question that occupies the mind of more and more people these days. In the previous post we talked about it and by way of a practical sequel here are some thoughts on doing something about it.
Start thinking change and opportunity! The "unthinkable" of not getting the same job again needs to change to "thinkable." Be prepared to do something different. More than that  ...want to do something different. It can still be the same profession ...but there are different ways to secure it:
- Renewable short term contracts or Interim Assignments can develop into on-going arrangements with the same employer.
- A portfolio of 2 or 3 part-time roles with different employers not only provides variety but can also be more profitable. And the market is there with smaller businesses seeking a viable way of securing your kind of expertise.
Change employer attitudes and perceptions! Rather than accepting that we will be at the back of the queue for jobs ...we need to be up front confronting employers' negative preconceptions:
"Less adaptable to change! ...Uneasy with a younger boss ...Over-qualified!"  Whatever the concern ...anticipate them.  Recall personal situations that not only show that you've experienced and therefore understand the particular issues ...but also demonstrate your positive attitude and handling of them.  Get good at turning problems into opportunities.
Create a compelling CV! Is your's a CV that lists the jobs you've had over many years accompanied with impressive data on turnover, budgets, people etc. That's not persuasive!  With an emphasis on your most recent past, list your achievements ...the things you achieved ...the differences that you made. Identify your distinctive skill, talent or quality that makes you successful ...make it concrete not too abstract!  Develop compelling stories that describe these achievements and illustrate your distinctive skill at work. Practice telling these stories. Work on a compelling verbal CV that you can get across in a minute.  

Get out and talk to people! Getting that job you want is a full on marketing exercise. It needs other people to help you to make a success of it.  So talk to the professionals. Career Counsellors tend to be nice people!
But also talk with your pals and your business network. Tell them what you are looking for and why ( your 60 second verbal CV.) And ask them to let you know if they hear of something on the grapevine.
When I worked in Outplacement 20 years ago I learned that 75% of job vacancies are never advertised. Even in today's recessionary times there are jobs out there needing to be filled now or in the immediate future.
The people filling those jobs will know people that you know. The more people you talk to the nearer you will be to those opportunities.

Knowing when it's time to change

I came across some interesting statistics in the last few days:
"823,00 UK pensioners over 65 have returned to work in the last 6 months!"
"1 in 12 British Pensioners are now working!" 
There are of course several financial reasons for this: It's well known that annuity rates have fallen ...I watched with dismay and disbelief as my pension forecasts fell. Other less well known financial reasons include Gordon's raiding of the pension pot by £100 billion when removing tax relief on dividends.  And 12% of  65 - 74 year olds still having a mortgage of £60,000 to pay off according to Aviva! And so the bottom line is that people, particularly outside of the public sector, are finding it increasingly difficult to manage on pension income.
But another reason for this trend is that an increasing number of pensioners actually want to continue working. Which is why these statistics from Age UK made disappointing reading:
"over 170,000 people over 50 have been out of work for at least a year, an increase of 52% since the beginning of the decade, and the highest figure in ten years!"
Yes it is disappointing to read that this is the case. But it is also disappointing that a potentially discouraging statistic is put out. Getting a job when you are out of work has always been difficult...at any age! And especially difficult if you've never thought about change affecting you!
Have you noticed how so many things are changing that we just seem to accept:
- Cheque books are not used in so many places now.
- Good old Woolworths and others have shut down as we shift our shopping to the internet.
- We even scan our own shopping at the supermarket checkout.
- CCTV watches us wherever we go.
- We cheerfully sort out our re-cycleable household rubbish.

Yet when it comes to our job ...we don't expect this to change. And we can't seem to accept it when it does happen. That is the key theme in the excellent book "Who moved my Cheese?"  It can be read in a couple of hours but the lessons will last a wee bit longer!!
And the key lessons taught by the different behaviour of its four characters when discovering that their "life long" hoard of cheese has finally been eaten are:

• Accept that is has happened. It's not coming back and you have to move on and be prepared to find something different somewhere else.
• Accept that it was always likely to happen, that the signs were there. And that it will probably happen again some time and to prepare for that eventuality.

And I learned every truth in those lessons 20 years ago ...eventually!
These days I very happily find my own cheese.  And I am always looking for the freshest because it is so much better! 

Why should I lose weight?

"Reduce the amount you eat just a little each year!"  That advice from Gardner Mulloy on how to prolong fitness into later years was given out around the time he won the Wimbledon Men's Doubles Title in 1957 at the age of 44.  I've never forgotten him saying it...obviously! And I can't remember how many times I've quoted it to others....
...and also illustrating the point about how we eat more when we're younger with my personal anectdote of a hungry 16 year old with 6 cheese rolls in my pack up lunch! 
A photograph of me taken during the recent World Cup shows that lately I possibly haven't been telling the story quite so much! 



But now 4 weeks on....I'm 12 pounds lighter, feeling decidely fitter and also a little bit self-satisfied...especially after reading an article in Thursday's Daily Mail  
Dealing with the worryingly accepted issue of obesity in this country, the article reports on a study carried out by Lighterlife on our eating habits.
It seems that when it comes to over-eating we all blame everyone but ourselves. We blame our parents for telling us to finish what's put in front of us.....yes I can relate to that.
Us fellas blame our partners for putting too much on our plates...yes I've used that one.
The ladies blame us, in that they serve themselves the same size portions as we get  ...heard that too!

We blame food manufacturers for stealthily upsizing food. Apparently a hot cross bun is now typically 40% larger.
The confectionery guys are at it too so we can blame them. Have you seen the huge bag of M&M's on promotion at £2...a nice round price!!
And finally we blame the catering industry who from coffee to burgers are incentivising us with clever pricing to trade up in size...in more ways than one?

And of course blaming everyone else is a lot easier than blaming ourselves.  I've found that three things work for me to keep weight down:
1) Recognise that sugar is an addictive substance that is put in food to make it more'ish.  Which is why I will finish a pack of Digestive biscuits in a day. And why if I "quit" ...after a week the craving stops.
2) Understand that unpleasant "hunger pangs" encourage me to eat so they'll go away, and so I eat plenty to be sure. When in fact the pangs are simply the digestive acid my belly has been "trained" to create in anticipation of the amount of food I'm eating. Eat less and the pangs reduce!
3) Accept that if we really want to remain fit and active and keep our weight down to a healthy level then we have to start by shifting the blame for over-eating back to ourselves.
Gardnar Mulloy is still lean and fit and playing tennis in his 90's ...and probably glad he never listened to his mother!