Many folks suffer serious setbacks between the ages of 50 and 65.
Maybe you have? Or are in the midst of one right now?
Health issues. Work issues. Family issues. Money issues.
How this gets better after 50
Things often seem hopeless. But in most cases, they’re not.
We just can’t see past them. We’re in unfamiliar territory, without a map to guide us.
Getting better after 50 requires the use of a few new tools. Ones we might have never used before. Or perhaps we have used them, only in a different context.
I have a poster over my desk that I created when I was coaching book writers.
But it applies to any new endeavor or project we undertake.
Because in nearly every new project or endeavor, these 3 stages keep popping up…
- Beginning Excitement
- Middle Overwhelm
- Ending Pride and Joy
Today, as I looked at this poster, it hit me that this might be really helpful for folks over 50 too. Those who might be struggling to navigate this troublesome period in their life.
Because living from 50 on up – is essentially a new project too.
Look at these 3 stages with new eyes now…
Beginning excitement – is your life from birth to 50.
Middle overwhelm – is you now, 50-65.
Ending Pride and Joy – is you from 65 on. If you get things sorted out!
That’s what I’m here to help you with. Getting through this middle ground transition.
In projects, this rocky middle ground is the #1 reason why great projects begun, never see the light of day. And the project designers and builders never reach the pot of gold. Or even joy!
Right now, you may be feeling lost. Perhaps because you haven’t really figured out where you are.
But once you’re handed a map, you’re like…
“Oh!”
“I just have to cross this marsh here and I’m home free!”
“I can do that.”
This was me when my knee gave out. Days, turned to months. Doctors. Physical therapy. Injections. Surgery. I was getting so frustrated. Hopeless.
“Is this it?” I thought. “Is my body not going to heal anymore?”
Months then turned to years. Years of knee pain. Years of not doing the activities I used to do so easily.
Even taking my daily walks to stay healthy was impossible.
It felt like things would just keep compounding until I was useless!
But then, just when I thought dreaded knee replacement surgery would be my only option, I found a guy online who got my knee feeling better in just weeks. Just from watching his videos and doing the activities he advised.
My knee trauma, and its subsequent conquering, followed the exact 3 stage process in the poster.
In the beginning, I was optimistic about going to the orthopedic specialist.
“Oh, he’ll fix this right up!”
Same with the physical therapist.
But after a year of “professional help”, nothing had changed. Knee still hurt.
I was at that middle stage – overwhelmed. And hopeless.
If I had thought to use my chart then to map my knee progress, I would have seen exactly where I was.
In the middle. I just had more ground to cover before I could get to joy!
So often, just knowing where we are in the process can give us hope.
If you’re in that 50-65 age range now, or even older, this is the best time in history to be alive.
Medical advances, psychological advances, and the availability of great free and paid information online about all the various services available to us as we age, is astounding!
Take a breath now.
Relax.
Look at “the map” and realize you can get through this. You’re just stuck in the middle now.
Scan through all the articles here at Elderbob.com.
I’ll bet you’ll find something to help you navigate through this challenging time of great change.
If you don’t see what you need, I’ll be happy to help you if I can. Just drop me an email at: bob@elderbob.com and we’ll see.
Following, I’ll list some of my experiences in life, the bad, the good, and the ugly, so you can get some sense of what might be conquered, and how I might help you through.
I‘ve survived and thrived after overcoming:
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Crippling Knee Injury
- Empty Nest Syndrome
- Financial Ruin
- Job Loss
- Bankruptcy
- Business Failures
- Depression
- Heartache
- Loneliness
- Breakups
And I’ve also done plenty of fun things like…
- Writing books sold around the world
- Meeting and marrying the beautiful lead singer in an international band
- Raising 3 wonderful kids
- Marketing a Chinese Gem miner successfully in the USA
- Traveling extensively in Asia
- Traveling the USA Coast to Coast
- Traveling the Caribbean
- Logging Tons of Solo Travel Miles
- Managing Service Departments
- Winning Numerous International Photography Awards
- Mastering Photoshop
- Playing the organ, clarinet, piano, guitar and banjo
- Giving presentations to an entire private school
- Renovating and Flipping homes and apartments
- Building profitable websites
- Creating 100’s of Information Articles and Products
- Kayaking
- Boating
- and much, much more!
The biggest lesson I learned, from all these life experiences is:
“Not everything works out as expected. But I can always try something else!”
“Not everything works out as expected. But I can always try something else!”
Do you need a something else?
Ask away.
Maybe I can help. Or at least point you in a new direction.
“Bene Vivere!”
Bob Elderbob Schwarztrauber
