A Change of Direction

Many years ago, journalist Gail Sheehy wrote the book Passages, which identified predictable changes of direction people experience at certain ages of their lives. As I’ve passed through them, I’ve experienced many of these passages. Since I turned sixty, I have noticed in myself (and among my friends) a real desire to figure out exactly how I want to spend this last third of my life. One thing about getting older – it really concentrates the mind, or what is left of it.

This is me: creative, intuitive, spontaneous, intelligent, self-directed. In short, an entrepreneur. I’m an idea factory, which is a mixed blessing. Not one to save for tomorrow, or even to take a job because the salary was generous, I tend to do whatever is pleasing to me at the moment. I’ve made a lot of money (and had times without money), but that’s never been a primary motivator. My mind is always percolating in a lot of different directions, and I’m good at a lot of different things. I’ve been a writer, a counselor, a speaker, a real-world and online marketer, and a consultant. All valuable, and all interesting.

And when the horizon in front of me seemed unlimited, why narrow my choices? I even put off getting remarried until I was into my fifties, although I had lived with my partner (now my husband) for many years. If I had a theme song, it might be that old cowboy favorite, Don’t Fence Me In.

Recently, however, I’ve been feeling quite different. There’s been a urgency to define for myself exactly how I want to spend the next thirty years. And just in case I don’t have thirty years, how to spend every moment of every year I do have. To do this, I’ve used these criteria: What are the greatest gifts I have to offer the world? and what do I love to do? The process has taken a while, but here’s what I’ve decided.

I love to write, and people respond to my writing. In addition to the non-fiction writing I’ve published, I have drawers full of unfinished novels and poetry. I’m going to recommit myself to my writing. This year I will finish researching and writing Help for Depression. I am also writing more and more poetry, and I’ll be submitting it and publishing.

I am a counselor and a teacher. I’m going to focus now on teaching and speaking on personal growth and spirituality. Many other teachers for whom I have great respect are working in the same area, but I’ve noticed we each attract to ourselves and our work the people who resonate with our particular vision and interpretation of the world.

I am reconfiguring my existing grants teaching and consulting business, so that some of the resources I’ve developed will still be available, but in a new form. As part of that reconfiguration, I am now offering my final Grants Training Classes. If you’re familiar with that part of my business, and you’re interested in participating, you can learn more at:

http://GrantMeRich.com/classes.htm

I may still do some grants and business consulting, but it will be limited to occasional projects that are of great interest to me. Time is swift, and perhaps, at last, I’m developing some self discipline in deciding how to spend my personal resources.

I’m excited about my future, and excited about my work. A new wave of energy seems to be carrying me forward, and other people have told me they’re feeling that same wave. How about you? I’d love to hear about your process. Please leave a comment, and let’s talk about it.