Imagine a 22-year-old teacher sitting at her first career desk in front of an empty classroom at a suburban New Jersey high school. It is the morning of your first official teaching day. His head is in his hands. She’s crying. Next, watch as her supervisor discovers her and mistakenly assumes that the girl is overwhelmed with the excitement of being a teacher. INCORRECT. I know it was wrong because that boy was me. And he was about to run out of school. How did I get into this situation? It was all I could think of. I shouldn’t be a teacher!
Well. I survived the first day and 25 years later, I walked from my last school assignment as a school administrator, went straight to the airport, and went to Paris! A dramatic start and end to what turned out to be a varied, creative and rewarding career in schools. Eight years later, in my new life as a consultant, I am reaping the benefits of those experiences in education. I transitioned into a new career. I am living what many baby boomers now know as an Encore Act. I retired early and bet on myself. I thought of that scared kid who felt trapped in that classroom, decided that I had gotten into a dead end in my career, and jumped into a world without walls, offices, or limitations. I became my own boss and every month I am tasked with being employee of the month.
It is liberating and terrifying on any given day to be in an Encore Act. But it has brought passion and satisfaction to my mature years that guarantee me the continuous learning I want, and a brain buzz to sustain me as a vital and relevant woman as I I grow old So if you are an educator thinking of going to the next act, here are five basic tips for launching your own ENCORE-ED ACT from someone who has been on the road for almost 10 years, and whose next 10 years seem to assure me another. . Encore jump.
1 … DON’T WAIT!
If you have the urge for a new passion, recognize the siren song! You don’t have to quit your day job. I have clients who are balancing who they are in their school careers with interesting secondary pursuits like writing, art, photography, caring … whatever turns them on. I always wanted to be a marketer, I wanted to write, to build brands. He was always creating connections and events for people, writing texts for friends. It took me years to realize that my training experience, presentation skills, and project management would be perfect for consulting.
2 … FIND A MENTOR
Learn the job you want to do with someone who can show you the ins and outs and help you build a network. Join real-time partnerships that are for people with your passion, connect and do your research and network on all social media platforms, read blogs and follow the news. If you have to be a mentor, the Internet is the place to learn. Take courses and webinars online or in real time and see if this passion is right for you. Just because you like nursing doesn’t mean it is right for you. Best to know before you’ve qualified in a new act!
3 … DEVELOP A PLAN
If you are going to start a business, find someone to help you with a business plan, even a short sheet can help you visualize your goal, what your business will be. Think about what makes you unique and salable if it is a service. If it’s a product, find someone who has made products to help you. Take free classes from the Small Business Institute. Ask your friends and family for advice BUT, don’t be defeated by negative responses to your idea of ENCORE-ED from friends or family colleagues. Sometimes people fear risk and want to share their anxiety with you! Stay away from naysayers.
4 … BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Make a list of everyone you know and then meet with as many people as you can to find out WHO THEY KNOW and who can help you. Build your network right away. Whenever you are at a social event, make sure you meet new people and tell them about your plan. Tell your story and re-find out who they know and what they might want to know about your new business or service.
5 … CREATE FOCUS GROUPS
Look at your address. I have led focus groups and facilitated sessions for people with new ideas and business plans. Gather people from your new network. NO FRIENDS ALLOWED! You need generous and open thinkers who see you in this new light as an emerging BRAND. Introduce them informally at your home or during a dinner talk. Get feedback and see if they want to stay in touch. This can be your Board of Advisors to build your ENCORE-ED Act.
Finally, follow your heart and passion into the next part of your professional life. I can still pause to shed a few tears along the way in my encore act like that young lady I was years ago, but I am looking forward to a long career as a professional, living life the way I want and my ENCORE- ED ACT can be a lesson! for yours!
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