THE BEACH BALL EFFECT When we delay, postpone, or give up on our dreams, goals, objectives, and passions, it s like holding a beach ball under water. Over time, the ball gets bigger and bigger until it has to surface. The surge is coming. What do you do? You are not the person you use to be. YOU ARE BETTER! Over 50 is your reward for living and surviving life! Are you enjoying life, having fun, and living a fulfilled and meaningful life? page 2
We declare freedom from the beach ball effect. And, we affirm our value and commitment to changing how we view ourselves, the world, and how the world views us. We have life and work experience, skills, talents, know-how and wisdom that can only be gained through decades of living life. America is not an age-friendly society, and it does not revere its older citizens as many other first-world societies do. Baby Boomers are defined as, people born between 1946 and 1964. We are 40,000,000 plus strong, a powerful economic and social force both in America and around the world. Maybe it s TIME for an Over 50 Mind, Soul, & Body Reset Restart Revive THRIVE! We live in a youth-oriented society, where material goods, possessions, and space are more valuable with age than people. Shouldn t wisdom, experience, know-how, patience, and insight be more valuable than commodities? Boomers have a lot to contribute to community, society, and the younger generations. Life s experiences have added to our page 3
value and worth; no one should relegate us to the bottom rung of productive humanity. Over 50, Starting Over is an opportunity to create your unique destiny, equipping with your Bachelor s degree in Life and preparing to achieve your Master s in Personal Fulfillment! Be inspired and positive, and the world will follow! Create your unique destiny. Like many industries Boomers are becoming a disruptive force for better living and relevance. Whether we like it or not, the Digital Age of technology is here to stay. So, accept the need to adapt, and flourish. Make it work for you. page 4
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE Our biggest obstacle is US! Over 50, Starting Over from: Divorce Retirement Empty Nest Health Issues Financial Challenges New Relationship Tribe Job Loss or Career Change Mind/Body/Spirit Mid-life Crisis Relationship Loss (Widow/Widower) page 5
5 TRANSITIONS OF AGING OVER 50 1. YOU Introspection (How do I make my life count?) Transformation & Conversion Can I make a contribution? Spiritual & Emotional Health Psychological Well-being Financial Fitness Comfort Zone Authenticity Acceptance Relevance 2. CHANGE Perspective Attitude Different Acceptance Decisions Mortality Meaning Adventure Purpose Passion Values Past Love Fun Sex Loss Fulfillment Comfort Zone Involuntary vs. Voluntary page 6
3. NEW TRIBE Uncharted Territory Relationship Ship Cohort or Group 4. SPIRITUAL OR RELIGIOUS Belief Meaning Faith Creed Mortality Purpose Legacy 5. WORLD VIEW Perspective Negative Positive Vision Relevance Alienation Fit In Fear Doubt Hope As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is not good for my health - food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude healthy egoism. Today I know it is love of oneself. Charlie Chaplin page 7
WHY AM I STUCK... in fear? in my past? in indecision? in a bad relationship? STUCK SUCKS! in the wrong job or career? in not living the life I desire? in unworthiness & irrelevance? in believing the best part of my life is over? Let your past make you BETTER not BITTER Last free exit, or it takes a toll UNSTUCK IS FREEDOM! page 8
GOALS FOR FREEDOM & FULFILLMENT 1. Make the decision to give yourself permission to live the life that you deserve and desire, 2. Develop daily healthy mind/body/soul behaviors and practices. 3. Define and write down your beach ball challenges and issues. 4. Define and write down your God-given gifts. We all have them - I do, and so do you. 5. Define today s calling on your life and write it down. A calling is when what you want to do with your life is the same as who you are. Max s calling is to communicate, lead, guide, and inspire people Over 50 to a purposeful (and purpose-filled), meaningful (and meaning-filled), full, and fulfilled life. This is also who he is as a person. 6. Define your passions and write them down. Passion is the fuel for your dreams. 7. Define your dreams and write them down. 8. Define your What?. What do I want to do with my life? What can I do to achieve personal fulfillment? 9. Define your It and write it down. Your It can be a one word noun, verb, or adjective that most people use to describe YOU. write it down. 10. Design your Today, now! Let your past make you better. Listen to people who inspire you, and move on from negative people who discourage you - they re envious of the person they see you becoming. page 9
PASSION ALWAYS WINS! The Over 50, Starting Over book is not based upon concept or theory. Instead, it s the real-life story and experiences of a 60-year-old man, Max Gilreath in collaboration with his Career and Life Coach, Deanna Poehlman. page 10
At age 6, a prophecy was made on his life. But, it would be more than 50 years in the making before it became a reality, proving it s never too late to discover your calling. Max made the decision in his 50s to take action for changing, evolving, and living his dreams and passions. He did it and so can you. Over 50 and beyond can be an opportunity to reset your life, taking inventory of a life lived, reflecting on the past, and determining how you can go forward. Learn how to focus on today and your future, not past mistakes, issues, and failings. Don t waste your life s pains - let them propel you forward. YOU are the architect and designer of your now and your future! The book provides a practical, daily step-by-step plan to freedom from the beach ball effect. No matter your age, financial obstacles, or health situation, you can overcome the negative effects of life s transitional challenges and issues. When life s natural flow of growth and page 11
satisfaction are stalled, blocked, stopped, or even reversed, we either involuntarily or voluntarily restart or stay stuck in our comfort zone, even though there s little, if any, comfort to be experienced. Over 50, the beach ball effect on our lives can get bigger and bigger, until it has to surface. But, then what? Chaos and devastation or resolution and fulfillment? It s our choice. We re here to help you to find answers and solutions. At Over 50, we are a powerful community of caring and willing souls. The Over 50 community is a realm of consciousness where like-minded people connect, explore, and manage transition in healthy ways. The more you let go of control and fear, the more control and confidence you will have. The world is filled with people just like you, seeking fulfillment. They will be there as you need them. page 12
So, don t punish yourself for your mistakes - you ve earned the right to give yourself permission to be the authentic you. Instead, use that energy to change and grow throughout the rest of your life. Sometimes in life, it s not the obvious that s holding us back from what we want and need. It can be what we ve suppressed or hidden. Behind the doors of pain and shame can also be the opportunity for truth, freedom, and fulfillment. PASSION ALWAYS WINS! Seize the opportunity to learn and take action with a plan that took Max Over 50 years of living to accomplish. But, you won t need that long - it s compressed into a plan of less than 2 months that can move you forward with passion, energy, and positive outcomes for YOUR LIFE...IF you re willing! No matter what your age, you have a gift. It can be your calling in the second half of life. YOU are Something Special. Know your WHY and activate your IT LIVE LIFE REIMAGINED! page 13
You are not alone. People just like you are living their dreams and passions Over 50. If they can do it, so can you - it s never too late to live a fulfilled life. EXAMPLES OF OVER 50 BOOMER DREAMS & PASSIONS Live Abroad Writer Travel Entrepreneur Financial Security Artist Retirement Debt-free Love Philanthropy Education Musician Dream Home Rest & Relaxation Peace of Mind Dream Car Boat Children & Grandchildren Volunteer Inventor Fisherman Downsize Ministry Executive Boat Charter Gardening Outreach Health & Fitness Legacy Adventure Freedom Meaning Fun Dream Vacation Purpose LEAVE NOTHING UNDONE! Join our Over 50 tribe community at www.over50startingover.net page 14