The Pew Research Center defines baby boomers as Americans who were born between 1946 and 1964. I like to say that baby boomers are seasoned women who have experience, wisdom and grace on their side.
Some baby boomer women carry something else, though: regret. Regret that they never realized their dreams. If you carry such regret, it is time to stop. It is not too late to live your dreams or to begin the process of reaching them.
Now is the season of you. This is your time to live your dreams. Here’s how to start:
Change your mindset
If you think you’re too “old” to embrace your dreams then you need to change your mindset – Immediately! You are never too old. If you always dreamed of learning how to speak French or to paint a landscape, accept the fact those dreams have not expired! There is no time limit to achieving your dreams. Whatever dreams you put on hold while raising your family or pursuing your career can absolutely still be achieved with a positive mindset. Dreams do not come with age limits.
Ask for help
Trying something completely new – even if it’s your longtime dream – can be scary! If you need a little support to bridge imagining your dreams to making them a reality, it’s totally fine to ask for help. In addition to a woman you trust or a faith leader, a great helper would be a life coach. Think of a life coach as a professional confidence booster – someone who has been trained and has practical experience in issues like identifying and achieving your life dreams.
Visualize Your Dream
Visualization can help you realize your dreams. The most important part about the vision is that you “put yourself in the picture”. Often times people can see their dreams such as owning a new home, however, they don’t actually see themselves in the house. If your dream is owning a new home, then visualize yourself with your new keys opening the door to the fabulous foyer with the beautiful chandelier. Visualize yourself walking all through your new home and visualize all the wonderful things that will happen in your home. Putting yourself in the vision can make a huge difference in realizing your dream.
Be an inspiration
Once you finally began to pursue your dreams, don’t be afraid to share the journey with others. Don’t think, “Since I’m just learning how to design clothes, nobody will want to see my silly sketches” or “It’s ridiculous I’m trying to be a model at my age, nobody will want to see my photos.” Nonsense! The mere fact that you made the choice to live your dreams at this season in your life is incredibly inspiring. By sharing your process and story you will inspire other women of all ages. You may be the reason a twenty year old woman decides she’s not too young to open her own business or the reason an eighty year old woman decides she’s not too “old” to take ballet classes.