Category: Generation Jones

Gap ‘year’ for Generation Jones?…Blog 129

I’ve developed quite an affinity for the concept of a gap year, so much so that I believe its scope should extend beyond the younger demographic. Why should such a remarkable opportunity be confined to those transitioning from adolescence to adulthood? Consider this: what about us, navigating the transitions of our mid-fifties and sixties? What if we, too, could benefit from a hiatus, even if just for a month? Imagine this: before the decision to retire settles in (a term I’m not a fan of), what if we embraced a gap, a designated period to contemplate what we truly want for the next chapters of our lives?

I love the notion of a gap year. This is a period when the younger generation takes a step back, often after surviving the whirlwind of high school and just before embarking on the college or university journey. It strikes me as perfectly sensible, providing them with the chance to discover themselves, catch their breath, refocus, and then set the course for the chapters ahead.

Alternatively, what if we opted for a departure from full-time employment, tapping into the financial contributions accumulated over the years, without fully retiring? Imagine taking a ‘gap,’ a span of time after bidding farewell to the 9-5 grind, before embarking on a new and exhilarating chapter—a journey in our passion, earning a living on our terms, and crafting a schedule that allows us to savour the next stage of life to the fullest. The possibilities are intriguing, don’t you think?

Of course my break will take place by the ocean.

Well, in fact, that’s precisely what I’m gearing up for in just shy of four weeks. I’ll be embarking on a break—a pause, if you will—between bidding farewell to my role as a tenured professor in a business school and diving headfirst back into the incredible world of coaching and leadership development, all anchored in a strengths-based approach. It’s hard to fathom anything more fulfilling than investing in others as they hone their skills and wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility of guiding their teams. The prospect of nurturing and guiding others in their professional journeys brings a unique sense of joy and purpose that I find truly invigorating.

My adventure started with publishing my first book!

Another aspect of this new venture that truly warms my heart is the prospect of having more dedicated moments with my family, especially those eight incredible grandchildren my husband and I are fortunate to have. It’s like laying the groundwork for the next generation of leaders right within our own family!

Call it balance, integration, or harmony—whatever term you prefer—I’m at a point where I’m ready to take charge of how I spend my time, with whom, and for how long. Now, you might suggest, “So, you’re going to be semi-retired?” Well, no, that’s not quite it. I prefer to see it as a process of rewiring, refocusing, rethinking, and renegotiating the terms of the next chapter in my life. It’s about embracing a new perspective and shaping the future on my terms…and I am really looking forward to it!

Is information overload blocking your creativity? … #66

We have all heard the term ‘writers block’ tossed around by those who identify themselves as writers; those talented individuals who depend on the free flow of words to give voice to the fantastic worlds floating around in their heads. I don’t claim to be a member of that class. I also have great appreciation for those types of writers who seem to have endless thoughts, ideas, and advise to share on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. If any of you happen to stumble across this blog, I’m in awe of your discipline and creativity and would love a sip of your secret sauce, and I’m amazed that writer’s block doesn’t hit you far more frequently!

But here’s the deal…even though I have a very full, satisfying, challenging, inspiring, rewarding, and fulfilling life, I totally get mental stagnation when it comes to narrowing down, or sifting through the swirl in my brain, and focusing on a theme, or topic, to articulate in words that will hopefully have some impact on a reader. All my life I have been a learner, and that has not changed, nor will it ever. I’m a business professor, researcher, remote worker, consultant/coach, international speaker (now that’s a privilege!), wife, mom, sister, grandmother, friend…I am truly blessed. Needless to say each of those ‘roles’ provide an endless array of learning and reward. Every conversation has potential to teach, inspire, drain, encourage, challenge, or even bore me.

So with all that input, why do I have such a difficult time putting words to paper? Certainly not because of lack of content! Perhaps the simple fact that there is so much input, or ‘information overload’, nothing is fully landing. It’s like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and filling your plate with everything in sight because it all looks amazing, tastes great, and is available–right under my nose.

Even as I write this, my inner voice is sending me sarcastic messages…like ‘seriously, you don’t see an issue here? You know the answer, you know better!’ And that little voice is right.

The very things, the tools, that make constant contact possible, information access more readily available than ever before, communication between the person next to me or 3000 miles away as easy as breathing, are both the cause and the cure.

I’m currently preparing a workshop on self-management. Ironic, right? One of the questions I am asking is ‘what do we need to manage?’ Perhaps time, stress, commitments, multiple deadlines, or life balance. Yes to all of these, and more. For me, I do a great job of managing my commitments; I am organized and can discipline my time well. But as I write this I am again reminded that what I don’t manage well is time to reflect, to slow down and relish the moment I am in, to ponder those special moments that happen each day. To call up the smile on the face of a grandchild or grandniece you’ve had a chance to cuddle with, to share in the joy of good news offered, or to simply walk through the falling leaves of autumn. Check out this video by Manoush Zomorodi called Bored and Brilliant And…finally realize that when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new neural connections that connect ideas and solve problems.

What about you? What is cluttering your mind and keeping you from finding clarity around new opportunities; current and future? What can you do about it? What are you willing to do about it?

 

Generation Jones…What about us?

Zandvoort, start of bike ride in dunes.

I’m currently writing from our Airbnb in Zandvoort, Netherlands, a location we will undoubtedly return to. Not only is the town lovely, the beach spectacular (9km long), the eateries delicious, the dune-winding bike trails amazing, and the coffee from our favourite Café (Blue Zone Espresso) top notch… the people are lovely. I’m also impressed by the very obvious age variety; young children through retirement everywhere we go. And, of course, I’m intrigued by the high percentage of Generation Jones, or Jonesers (born between 1955-1965). I’ve been wondering how many live and work in Zandvoort, and how many commute into larger business centers i.e. Haarlem or Amsterdam.

Why am I so intrigued by this? As I continue to investigate various aspects of remote work, I am drawn to the working contexts of the Gen Jones demographic (that’s me). So much is being written about how the millennials are shaping the future of work, but I want to stand up and shout ‘what about me?’ How are those in my generation shaping the future of work? (Just a note, I’m not a strong believer in labelling people…I’m simply using the terms for a talking point.)

Millennials entered into an environment where it is not uncommon to expect flexible work hours and remote work arrangements. My generation has come through the years of raising these same millennials (my husband and I raised a gen x and a millennial, both amazing!), instilling in them a mindset that encouraged them to think and innovate, not be bound by tradition. We Jonesers have spent much of our lives working the 9-5 routine, and, quite frankly, we’re not satisfied to continue working within those boundaries as we consider moving toward potential retirement. And here lies the tension, many of us simply don’t want to retire, but nor do we want to continue with the same, tired, 9-5 routine.

Research is showing that many of us will migrate to freelancing as we approach 65-ish, for multiple reasons: freedom, finances, not wanting to stop working, wanting to continue contributing to a workforce we spent our lives building into. But what if we really like what we do…is the only option to leave fulfilling jobs and take freelance gigs? What if the organizations we work for took proactive steps to prevent the potential, and reported, brain drain, and offer options for flexible or remote work options? What if organizations transitioned my Joneser compatriots into roles that not only engaged us in the on-going success of the business, but also facilitated the opportunity to mentor those amazing young people following in our footsteps? What if we actually created environments where a

Not ready to ride into the sunset!

younger generation taught and inspired us trailblazers, while we shared our journeys of success, and failure, as a foundation for the past informing, (not controlling), the future?

I am sure some organizations are doing just that…I want to hear from them. I want to learn how they are making it happen, and why others are not innovating in this manner. And I want to hear from my fellow GenJonesers…what does the future of work look like for you?

It’s not just millennials who are shaping the future of work…it’s all generations! Together, we can make ‘work’ the thing we do with intentionality, efficiency, and passion.