You’re Never Too Old

Joking aside, AGE IS AN ASSET. And I can guarantee it’s an asset that appreciates every day.?

I started work 32 years and three months ago.?

I’ve worked in big corporates. I’ve created massive partnerships, putting millions of books in schools, affording millions of people on ￡9.50 holidays, and sending countless kids on free days out. I’ve run my own brand activation and marketing agency with high profile, global clients. I’ve been involved in half a dozen start ups. I’ve worked pro bono. I’ve run a charity. ?I’ve consulted. I’ve had great days. I’ve had dreadful days. I’ve won. I’ve lost. I’ve worked with thousands of colleagues. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients. I’ve done a shed load of stuff really. ?Much of it acclaimed, most of it crazy.?

But the future is not about what I’ve done, it’s about what I’m going to do next, how best I’m going to use those 32 years and three months of experience, knowledge, insights, relationships, “wisdom” you might call it.

My what next was a question that I had to ask of myself in April this year, a question which tens of thousands of my peers face every day. My role at Maidenhead United FC ?had come to an end (great fun btw). Overnight my time became my own, sounds great on the face of it but the truth was far from great. Time to oneself can very quickly move from relaxation and reflection to isolation and despair and, sadly for many, mental health and well being challenges. And, if I’m being brutally honest, it took no time at all for the rot to set in.?

We become defined in so many ways by what we “do” and suddenly doing nothing can lead to a loss of identity, self worth and, most importantly, happiness; it’s scary.

So, I thought I’d apply for a job, why not ? I last sat down to write my CV in 1998. So just the 26 years to get down on paper, ?happily I had a fair bit to say. Fifty or more applications later (with only three replies), it became apparent no one likes the look of a 54 year old bloke who has spent most of the last two decades working for himself. Unemployable perhaps ?

In making these applications, my eyes were opened to that fact that organisations don’t place enough value on the huge, and I really mean huge, amount of knowledge, learnings and wisdom that exists in the older workforce. When deployed alongside the curiosity and enthusiasm of those starting their careers, surely a workforce based on inter generational teams is far more powerful than either the young or the old working in isolation ? Something to ponder.?

Anyway, loads of applications, loads of being ignored is where I was at. And I’m far from alone in being in that position. Hard to take I have to say. But it need not be the end of the line. For most of us over fifty, the desire is there to keep working and to keep learning (every day is a school day after all !!), but for many it’s now a necessity, pension shortfalls (nee crisis) , the rising cost of living, blah blah blah……..?

But there are options. Change tack. Re-train, re-skill, re-boot and do something you love - after all, most of us will be working until we are 75, so it might as well be that our work mirrors our passions. ?For me, that’s the rollercoaster of a start up, the thrill of a new idea, the challenge of getting a new business off the ground.?

So. I teamed up with an old pal and started Pawkies, a raw frozen dog food brand. I don’t own a dog, but hey, millions do. And how brilliant it is to be working with a great mate. Alongside that I took over the running of a football academy (I may not own a dog but I do love football) with an ex Premier League player; why waste the 18 months of football experience sitting most recently on my CV ??

And then, like buses, a third oppportunity presented itself. The chance to team up with another old pal, ?a chance to use my own personal experiences of feeling superfluous to requirements at 54 to build a business. A business that encourages people like me to live their best work life, to follow a passion, to try something new, to be part of a community and not feel a sense of isolation. The Silver Academy is that start up.?

Using years (too many to count) of experience, we are creating great content, telling inspiring stories and helping the wise workforce have a real impact on businesses all over the country, both established organisations and new ones. We are supporting individuals who want to re-boot, organisations that want to engage properly with their older workforce to ensure they mentor and support their younger employees and, put simply, pass on some wisdom. To be honest, it’s just the latest example I have of using my own experience to build a business whilst at the same time working with great friends to make a difference to as many people as possible. ?

Our strong view is that too many organisations don’t place enough value on the huge, and I really mean huge, amount of knowledge, learnings and wisdom that exists in the older workforce. When deployed alongside the curiosity and enthusiasm of those starting their careers, surely a workforce based on inter generational teams is far more powerful than either the young or the old working in isolation ??

We are encouraging anyone who has a second wind , anyone who needs support for a new venture, anyone looking to re-boot and anyone who knows the value of the their older workforce to join us.

So, if you’d like to join the gang of lifelong learners at the Silver Academy message me today or tomorrow, or whenever you want to chat.?