I Don't Wanna Grow Up!

What do I want to be when I grow up? I would be willing to bet that if you are over 50 you had not thought to ask yourself that question. Yet many Baby Boomers are finding themselves looking around for a second career. Canada has the biggest population of Boomers on the planet, many who have spent years in the corporate world with not a lot to show for their loyalty. Many are finding themselves with no pension, or an inadequate one.


Add to that the current financial situation, many cannot touch investments. So a second career for many is a necessity.

Boomers also for the most part are not ready to retire. No longer are they retiring from a job, but retiring to something else. So, where do you start? For most of us, we have adapted ourselves to the corporate world, and may have forgotten what we were really passionate about. Especially for women, with many roles - we look ahead and ask the question - who am I really?

Understanding your personality type can help you discover what activities or second career might fit you.

The Blue temperament type has a core need for meaning and significance and having a purpose in life. If there is no need for a second income, Blues will enjoy being involved with charity organizations, or painting, gardening, scrapbooking. For a second career consider, motivational speaking, coaching or consulting.


The Gold temperament type has a core need for belonging and duty. This type will likely have their finances in place. Golds will enjoy being involved with clubs, volunteer work where they will enjoy planning and organizing events. A second career for a Gold may be doing tax returns, bookkeeping, and accounting, helping others to organize their homes or offices.

The Orange temperament type has a core need for freedom and making an impact. If there is no need for an income, Oranges will enjoy playing a musical instrument, playing golf or pursue other outdoor pursuits. A second career for an Orange could be, motivational speaking, building furniture, adventure travelling and journalism.

The Green temperament type has core need for knowledge and competence. If no substitute income is required Greens will pursue intellectual pursuits, many may return to University or college just for the opportunity to learn. If work is a requirement consider consulting in the field that you are an expert in. Teach at a college, many will hire subject matter experts.

No matter what your personality type, explore the many options available to you - find the real you - the authentic you and work at or volunteer for something that gives you joy or passion. Boomers are living longer - you may as well have some fun!

Please... Don't Sell me Things!!

Please don't sell people on your product or service - sell them on what it can do for them, in other words what are the benefits? Let them ask about the features.


What turns you off as a buyer? I know what turns me off - people who are pushy and tell you that you really must have their widget, product or service. PLEASE! Cut it out... it does not work - you'll have people running for the hills! Here are some tips that apply to Personality Types, but in general whatever you are selling, make it about the client and what your product or service can do for them.

Don't sell me clothes! - If my Personality Style is Gold, tell me about how it will last, is it suitable for a business meeting. If I am Orange, tell about what a great impact I will make at the next PTA meeting.



Don't sell me a house! - If my Personality Style is Blue, sell me comfort, will my children or spouse like it - can I have friends over and have dinner parties and bar-b-ques? If I am a Green personality style - what's the carbon footprint, can I plant over the lawn? Is there room for my large collection of books?

This is just a taste of what psychology makes people buy, essentially, they will buy from YOU, and how you brand YOU. Sell your client on responsibility and belonging (GOLD), authenticity and people (BLUE), knowledge and competence (GREEN) and freedom and Impact (ORANGE).

How will you know their Style in person or over the 'phone - you won't, you will have to listen for clues and cues that tell you who you are dealing with.

Sell a solution to the client's immediate need or problem, and watch your sales numbers rise. Good luck on your journey to success!

Irene Anderson
Personal Leadership Coach

Making Sausages - The Big Shiny Dream

I am a real believer that your dreams give you real clues to what messages your brain is giving you – good or bad. I find that in times of stress (even when I don’t think I am stressed) I dream a lot – vivid involved dreams that are giving me clues about what to do next, what path to take.
I had a dream the other night that I started another business, making sausages – Wow! What a stretch that would be – for me uncharted territory!

Now, I love to cook – but making sausages from scratch is just not something I would do. In my dream, which was vivid and in full technicolour – I was involved in the process from start to finish (except the slaughter part – ick) – although the details were sketchy, I could visualize the process and saw and touched the end result – four beautiful organic sausages in a shiny, colourful plastic package. A work of Art!

And then I woke up – before I had to market and sell the product – thank goodness!

So what were the clues in this dream that could help me in my business? I know I had been struggling with focus and doing only one thing and doing it well. Not only that, I was getting myself involved in projects that were not necessarily serving my business. I believe the dream was telling me to re-focus, do what I am great at, and not get sidetracked with ‘shiny packaging’ or new ventures that, yes I could do well in but are not necessarily what my purpose is.

Our dreams can help us to focus on what’s really important, if you wake up after such a dream – try to write down what the dream was and later – ask yourself – what is my unconscious mind trying to tell me? This dream was telling me, align your goals and projects with your values (I love sausages, but I value human growth and potential more) – be focussed about your business – you cannot do it all. Although I encourage other women to tap into their super powers (best strengths), I can also share that we are only Superwoman when we are focussed on our strengths.

Hmm, I think I smell breakfast cooking...

I recommend “The Power of Focus”, by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Hewitt