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3 Powerful Ways Baby Boomers Scared of Outliving Their Retirement Can Be an Encore Entrepreneur

Guest post by: Susan Friedmann

Article Overview: Are you a baby boomer who's been laid off? Are you a boomer who knows that you'll likely outlive your retirement nest egg! Are you scared because you don't know what to do and how to do it? Discover three ways to get started creating a work from home opportunity for yourself.

3 Powerful Ways Baby Boomers Scared of Outliving Their Retirement Can Be an Encore Entrepreneur

Are you a baby boomer who's been laid off? Are you a boomer who knows that you'll likely outlive your retirement nest egg! Are you scared because you don't know what to do and how to do it?
Welcome to the club of approximately 35 million baby boomers who share similar situations. According to a recent USA Today article, “Baby Boomers face so much uncertainty that nearly half of them fear that their retirement will result in poverty.”

It might be comforting to know that you're not alone out there, however, I know that doesn't help answer your concerns, challenges, fears and frustrations, plus give you the peace of mind you want.
It was only when I was laid off from not one, not two, but three positions, did I decide that I was never, ever going to let my future be at the mercy of an employer. From then on I vowed I would be “the master of my destiny and not a victim of my circumstance.” At that time, I really had no clue what I was going to do, or how I was going to do it. All I knew is that I had to be proactive, and take control of my life.

Let's look at three ways to get started in what has become known as an “encore career” - work in the second half of life that combines continued income, greater meaning and social impact. Plus, ways to think about creating a work from home opportunity for yourself.

1. Take an inventory

If you're like most baby boomers, you've probably been in the workforce for 20-30 years. That's a huge chunk of time to establish some major skill-sets. Now that you're facing a new junction in your life, you need to take an inventory of all the knowledge and skills you've mastered throughout your career.

In her book “Experience Mapping,” Karen Newman advises you to take what you know and redirect it towards whatever new career you might be contemplating. “The more clearly you understand your strengths and how they have enabled you to get to this point, the more effectively you can leverage them into a bright and fulfilling future.” These might include organizational skills, sales and marketing prowess, technology and computer savvy, the list goes on and on. Take time and step back to assess your true capabilities. They're probably more than you think.

2. Consider enjoyment

If you're going to continue working, because you have to or because you just don't want to retire, you might as well look at your encore career as something you'd enjoy doing or learning more about. As you know, life is far too short, and precious, for you not to be passionate about what you're doing. There are far too many people who are miserable and frustrated doing what they do. Why on earth would you want to join them, when you have an incredible opportunity to create your own reality.

Take your hobbies or interests, and start doing some online research. Think about how you could combine your capabilities with something you enjoy doing. If you're keen on spending time on the computer, you might consider becoming an online marketing entrepreneur, and work from home business. CarbonCopy PRO offers top-notch entrepreneurial opportunities and training.

3. Avoid excuses

There's an old Yiddish proverb that goes, “If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another.” And that's absolutely true. There is a myriad excuses you can make, from not having enough time, to fearing failure, to dealing with kids or paying bills, the list goes on and on.

Let's be honest, we stand in our own way and often sabotage our opportunity for success. Do you know what's keeping you from taking the actions you want and need to take? Whatever it is I have good news for you, it's fixable, but only with one essential ingredient, the right attitude and mindset.

If you want some help with this, watch Gary Vaynerchuk: “Do what you love (no excuses!)” - his inspirational talk at a recent TED event. And, listen to an interview I did with Sam Silverstein, author of “No More Excuses,” on Niche Talk Radio, to learn how to change your thinking.

When you blend your strengths with interests, and get out of your own way, you have three powerful ingredients to become a baby boomer entrepreneur, or encore entrepreneur with a work from home business. You are now the master of your destiny, and in control of your future and your life!

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