Act II - New You: Reinventing Yourself After 40

Act II - New You: Reinventing Yourself After 40

I read a Facebook comment recently that has really been eating away at me. A 40-something woman wrote, "I'm at an age now where I am trying to determine what's next for me. I have raised 3 children; 2 in college and one graduate. I have my degrees and a career but I want more out of life. My fear is that I will have nothing to leave my children but a 401k, life insurance policy, and memories. At the level of life that I'm at now I would like to open up some type of business that would help and enrich my family and my families' future generations. I keep looking at my age and that's what deters me."

The sad thing is, there are far too many women out there who see age as a barrier to some goal they would like to achieve. I get it all the time, even amongst my own circle of friends. Someone will call and express a desire to go back to school and pursue a higher degree. In the next breath, they've talked themselves out of it by attaching a time to the outcome. They normally say something like, "The only problem is, I'm 47 now, and it's a 3 year program, that means I'll be 50 by the time I finish!" My response is always, "Well how old are you going to be in 3 years, if you don't pursue the degree?"

The interesting thing about time is that it comes and goes, regardless of what we do in the meantime. The truth is, there is no better time, than after 40, to make bold changes, take on new challenges and succeed in arenas you never thought possible. For all those times you've said to yourself, "If I only knew then, what I know now," - here's your chance to push the reset button. Take an honest assessment of what's working and what's not working. Consider the life lessons you've learned, the increased knowledge, information and wisdom you have, and make some positive changes for yourself.

Dreams don't have a schedule and they certainly don't end at 40. Some of you out there are saying, "I've always wanted to own my own business," "I always wanted to write," and perhaps even, "I always wanted to go back to school." And interestingly enough, everyday women, much older than you are hanging their shingles, publishing their first novels and enrolling as college students.

Dr. Judie Bucholz, Regional Dean for Strayer University says, "Mid-life is the greatest time for a woman to be back in school. You have more self-confidence. You have more opportunities to break into more fields. Although the material may be repetitive and it may be things you've seen before, you learn so much from the interaction with other students. The diversity in the classroom; discussions, different generations in the workplace, and the various life experiences, provide valuable lessons in and of themselves. They can help you avoid certain pitfalls or perhaps spark interest in other areas you can explore."

Yes, stepping out into the unknown may be a little bit scary at first. But so are roller coasters. And remember when you couldn't wait to get in that line - sometimes twice? So go ahead, give yourself permission to break free from mediocrity and become the person you've always wanted to be; take an exotic vacation, renew relationships with girlfriends, reinvent your career, or learn to ballroom dance. After all, this is your fabulous life. Why not do it big?

About the Author
Sondra Wright is a speaker, writer and small business entrepreneur who feels more confident and beautiful with each passing year. She graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Human Resources and Counseling. Her passion is inspiring the breakthrough and change necessary for women to reach their maximum potential. Her latest book, 40+ and Fabulous: Moving Forward Fierce, Focused, and Full of Life!, is a witty collection of some personal stories from women and men about growing older.