Feisty Side of Fifty/Baby Boomer Women

Women Over Fifty—Onward and Upward

As women who’ve sailed past our fiftieth birthdays, we’ve already learned a number of life lessons. We know that life isn’t always easy, you don’t always get what you want, and larger disappointments can seem like unbearable hardships if you look at them that way. On the other hand, it is from just these types of challenges that we gain strength, knowledge, tenacity, and confidence.

The only time we lose in life is when we don’t try. Fear of failure and the need for perfection can really take their toll and put unnecessary and often insurmountable restrictions on our aspirations. Of course, we know that being perfect is an impossible task for any human being—especially when you’re attempting something you are unfamiliar doing. So, why not give whatever it is you want a shot? You probably have little, if anything, to lose and a lot to gain.

I relearned this valuable lesson just recently. For those of you who read my latest post, you know that I just started broadcasting Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. Although I had been a guest on a variety of radio shows and had also appeared on television, I’d never played the host. I had been wanting to start my own show for some time, but was feeling a case of the nerves and it was stopping me.

Finally, I got tired of procrastinating and decided to just go for it. Who would really care if I stumbled a couple of times? Who would really care if I said my share of “ums” and “uhs?” Would it be the end of the world if I wasn’t the consummate professional my first time out? These thoughts slowly began to make sense, so I made up my mind to stop stopping myself and just go for it.

I’m pleased to say that I invited a wonderfully inspiring guest and, I think, the show turned out great! If you haven’t already heard it, I invite you to give it a try. It’s only fifteen minutes, and I believe it’s well worth your while.

Now, I’ve got a number of future guests lined up and I’m looking forward to many fascinating and thought-provoking interviews with baby boomer women over fifty who are making the most of their lives. (I’m on vacation right now but will start broadcasting again as soon as I return. I’ll keep you posted.) Please go to the “contact me” page and send me an email if you’d like to be interviewed and share your story with other boomer women.

As stopping myself from doing things has been a recurring theme in my own life (before I turned fifty and feisty, that is), I invite you to look at these issues for yourself. Are you letting important opportunities slip by because of fear or lack of confidence? Are you limiting your abilities and impact on the world because it seems just too hard to try to go after what you want?

Take some time to make a list of two or three things you’d like to realize in your life. Then jot down four or five obstacles you believe would prevent you from accomplishing these goals. After that, brainstorm ways to overcome these obstacles. If you can’t come up with any ideas on your own, ask a friend, a counselor, or some other person you trust. In fact, ask several. The way to achieve your dreams might just be a question or two away.

Remember, this is the time in your life to go after what you want. After years of catering to the needs of spouses and children, you’ve earned the right to focus on your own desires for a change. And we all know that, as women over fifty, we’re now FIESTIER THAN EVER–so go on, get out there, and follow those dreams!