Old is the new BLACK! Change your mindset ??

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Now, those of you who already know me will know I get on my high horse about ageism in the workplace and how I believe we are NEVER TOO OLD to reinvent our careers.

Yes, that's right - we are NEVER TOO OLD to be the person we were born to be.

You'll also know that I help professionals to embrace their ability regardless of age (yes, it's not just the over 50's who are concerned about ageism, just this week I spoke with a client who is concerned about being 41 and feeling 'too old'!)

I recently delivered a webinar for over 55's for 55/Redefined (thanks to Lyndsey Simpson , Simon Long , James Southard for inviting me) and upon following their other social channels was inspired by one of their Instagram posts about Colleen Heidemann, who is now 73 and started her modelling career at the age of 69.

She is absolutely stunning, full of energy and I want to be like her when I grow up (just for the record I'm 63 now)!

At the end of this article I'll share the link to their post on Instagram that captured my attention and excitement ... OLD IS THE NEW BLACK!

Of course I immediately ordered myself the t-shirt, there was great excitement at home when it arrived as you can see from this GIF (although my husband didn't understand what it meant when I first put it on ... ?? )

As my dear friend and author of 'Ageing Fearlessly' Karen Sander says, "Ageing is inevitable but GROWING OLD is a choice". So how do YOU define 'too old'?

In fact, I'd also ask, "Too old for what?"

If you're over 30, over 40, over 50, over 60, over 70 are you too old to:

Be heard?

Be loved?

Be appreciated?

To contribute your years of experience and knowledge to benefit someone who's problems you can help to solve?

To be considered as an individual rather than an age-bracket?

To learn something new?

To try something different?

TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT?

Unfortunately, according to a 2021 report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, age discrimination remains a significant issue in the workplace, affecting both job seekers and employees. Here are some statistics on ageism in the workplace in Australia:

• Around 27% of workers over the age of 50 reported experiencing age discrimination in the workplace.
• Older job seekers are more likely to experience long-term unemployment, with the average duration of unemployment for workers aged 55 and over being around 71 weeks.
• Older workers are more likely to be retrenched or have their contracts terminated, and they find it more challenging to secure new job opportunities than younger workers.

and this one surprised me:

Despite being a protected attribute under Australian law, only 56% of workers are aware that age discrimination is illegal.

So how can we overcome ageism in the workplace? Here are some strategies:

• Upskilling: By staying current with technological advancements and industry trends, we mature-age professionals can demonstrate our continued relevance in the workplace. [By the way, I'm very excited about how rapidly AI is enhancing our lives - some see it as a threat, I am finding ways to use it to help in a myriad of ways in my life].

• Networking: Stay connected! Don't shy away from reaching out and building connections within your industry (and new industries) and staying engaged with professional organisations can help to expand your job search and keep you informed about new opportunities. [I know many feel that 'networking' is schmoozing and a bit 'icky' but if you think of it as an opportunity to learn about someone else, to offer help, and to gain feedback and advice then that's not so bad is it?]

Don't just rely on online job boards (where applicants are typically screened by a bot) - your online brand (yes, on LinkedIn !), physical presence and excellent verbal communication skills are what will impress rather than a (rather boring) resumé.

• Highlighting transferable skills: Emphasise your transferable skills, you have many that are relevant across different jobs and industries, and create strong accomplishment statements that demonstrate your value to potential employers and also highlight the RESULTS you achieve. [If you need help to do this, you'll find it in my Career Success Program.]

• Addressing negative stereotypes: Mature-age professionals can help to dispel negative stereotypes about ageing in the workplace by being open to new ideas, new ways of doing thing, new technology, asking questions and being genuinely interested in learning from professionals of any age. [And just because you are of a 'certain age' it doesn't mean you have to dress like an 'oldie' or 'one of the greys' - dress to express your personality and professionalism!]

To overcome ageism it requires a collective effort from employers, employees, and society as a whole.

?? How are you helping to promote a culture of inclusivity and respect for all generations?

?? What else can we do to create a more equitable and age-diverse workplace?

?? Keep the conversation going. I'd love you to share photos of you in action showing your energy and enthusiasm regardless of age!

Psssst ... here's a little known secret ... at the ripe age of 40 I choreographed and performed in a musical about the final days of Bugis Street in Singapore. We opened at Raffles Hotel and received standing ovations each night (and rather scathing reviews from the critics!) and it was SO MUCH FUN!

My dancers were all in their late teens and twenties and we all had the best time together. I know I am NEVER TOO OLD! Just for fun, here's a brief snippet of me and the 'young ones' during our Finalé back in 2000 ??????♀? [Thanks to Denise Marsh for being the best director/producer we could have hoped for!]

Check out Life Redefined UK's post with the LINK TO LIFE REDEFINED INSTAGRAM POST with the phenomenal Colleen Heidemann.

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For over 20 years my mission has been to make careers guidance and support accessible and affordable to all who need it. Here's how I can support you:

1. One-on-one coaching
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4. Self-paced Online Career Courses
5. Navigating Career Crossroads book
6. Your Career Podcast

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