I Don't Wanna ........

I woke up this morning with a big case of "I don't wanna." Sometimes it follows me all day long.
I had a scheduled call with a peer to discuss a project we're cooking up and neither of us was in a very prepared mood.
We're planning a series of workshops at prestigious spas around the country -- for busy executive women. We both have our tasks to carry out and we "meet" by phone regularly. Today, we had not done our homework.

We began talking about other things and eventually got down to the issue of weight and physical well-being.
Now, I don't know about anyone else reading this blog, but I want you to know that I struggle a bit with my weight. I'm not obese, but I could stand to lose 25 pounds. Granted, I know how to dress well and I can look terrific, but underneath those garments, I know what is really there.

I was telling Susan that I started going to Weight Watchers and how I hate it. I told her how I have a gym membership and don't go often enough because I hate it. Then, I reframed it. I don't really hate anyone or anything. But, when it comes to dieting and giving up eating whatever I want, "I DON"T WANNA!" And when it comes to going to the gym, "I DON"T WANNA."
Actually the truth is -- I'm mad at myself for getting to the point where I need to go there. I wish I was just skinny and I don't like taking responsibility for the fact that I let it get out of hand. Now, there's the truth

We started talking and realized what a great need there is for a support group called, "I DON"T WANNA." So, I'm going to start one, with her.
So, welcome to the I DON'T WANNA CLUB.
Point: We all have those things we know we "should" do and don't because we don't want to. But, if we are truly true to ourselves and living life passionately and fully, we need to go beyond the "I don't wanna."

How can we do that? How can we get ourselves to do those things we don't want to or don't like doing. There are lots of them besides diet and exercise. There's the pay the bills, pay taxes, make marketing calls, go to networking events, doing things for others even when we don't have the energy, volunteering, etc.

What's the secret to doing it anyhow?
Remember, I have the mantra ... "Aw, what the heck ... do it anyhow!"
If ever there's a time that you don't wanna, well, do it anyhow. And, savor how great you feel when you do.
So, I'm inviting you to the hear about the first ever "I Don't Wanna" teleclass that will be coming up very soon.
To hear about it, make sure you sign up for my It's BoomerTime newsletter. Go to www.itsboomertime.com and sign on. I'll announce the time there.

So, boomers -- you are being called up now to NOT give up your "I don't wannas", but rather to embrace them and do them anyhow. Onward! You'll love the results.

So, how exciting is this?

Well, Super Tuesday is over. What have we learned?
In terms of the ages of the candidates ... it's all over the place.
McCain is definitely a senior citizen, not a boomer.
Romney, Huckabee and Clinton are all boomers.
Obama... well, he's barely a boomer. I think we thought we'd have clearly declared candidates by the end of the evening, but apparently that's not so.

Is it about choosing? Are people voting for who they really believe will be the best? Or are they voting with who they "think" will be a winner? We all love to be part of the 'winners." What part does the media play in all of the choosing?
I've noticed that the media seems to push some candidates and give them a great deal of exposure and yet, with others they seem to almost ignore them. Many have dropped out due to being ignored.

Who of the candidates will address our needs best?
I read someone else's blog entry this morning who was happy that the boomers weren't showing much winning capacity. He thought we shouldn't have our needs met. He considered us to be selfish and only seeing "what's in it for us."
I, for one, totally disagree. I think that the issues that are important to me as a boomer are also important for the rest of the country. I'm concerned about the economy ... my investments are not doing well (I want to be self-sufficient as I age and not have to depend on others to care for me) , and I assume that is true for others. I'm concerned about healthcare and the fact that many of my loved ones (younger) are not able to get good health insurance. I'm concerned about there being an environment that is protected for my grandchildren (when they arrive on this planet).

Point: We all need to be involved in the political workings of our country. We need to ask the important questions, hold our candidates to task, invite everyone to vote. It's up to each one of us to contribute to the well-being of our country.
Point: We don't need to agree with who our loved one's vote for... but we do need to know they're considering the facts when they vote and not just jumping on someone's bandwagon because it seems exciting. Look at the issues.

Now, onward. Remember the power of our generation.
Point: We can make a difference, one person at a time. Don't ever, ever, ever give up.
Have a great day.
Ann

The Value of Giving

This morning I went to a special tribute for Martin Luther King. It was a tribute by teenagers in a performing group. It's part of a city-wide program that engages disadvantaged youth in performance art... and much more. I've signed on to do some volunteer work with them.

The kids poured their heart into reading poetry, dancing, singing acting and overall paying homage to this great man. It was so appropriate for me to go there today. There are people that have lived in our lifetime, from whom we have much to learn. They gave their lives (sometimes literally, as in this case) for what they believed in. They went beyond their personal concerns and lived to be of assistance to others.

It called me back to the boomer roots of "giving back" and making a difference.

When I moved to NY two years ago, I realized that there are things I'm called to do AND I might not even know yet what they are. One of them, I do know, is to volunteer with some group that moves me. Well, I've found it. I'll be starting an orientation next week to work in leadership development with these kids. It will take all my experience -- my social work background, my organizational development work, my speaking abilities and channeling it into working with the youth. I'm so excited.

Point: What moves you? Where in the world can you do something to make a difference? Who needs you?

I have so many things I believe in and want to be involved with. There are things calling me day and night AND, if I didn't need to sleep, I could well be busy all the time. My days are full, many of my nights are full. Some of the "full" means doing frivolous stuff -- going to movies, eating out. Other things are business-related -- networking, going to all the "right" places, etc.

What's been missing, though, with all the busyness is... doing for others ... just because.

Last night, I went to see a silly movie. It was called Mad Money. Diane Keaton, a fav boomer, was the lead. She steals money from the  World Bank or something like that. The reason she steals is because: her husband got laid off, they couldn't afford their house payment or health insurance, they had a kid in college. Her husband feared that he wouldn't find another job -- because of HIS AGE. Yup, it's starting -- the age discrimination of US... the boomers. Yuck.

You might wonder -- why is she telling me this. Well, it's because I'm also passionate about ending age discrimination. It's all around me/us.  I'm about representing to the world that boomers are young, vibrant, passionate, capable. Now, we must prove it. Keep on doing and being who we are. Our spirit of giving can truly end the war, end hunger, end discrimination -- if we put our minds to it.

Point:  What will you do this year to make a difference for others? What causes will you throw your hat over the fence for? You probably already donate money. Yes, that helps. But, it's not going to give you the feeling of reeeallly doing something incredible. What will you do?

Sorry to pontificate. If you want to sit on the couch and watch TV .. then, by all means, do so. But, if you get a little bored and want something more meaningful .. there are things to help with out there that have your name on them. I hope you go for it.

For me, I'm gathering tonight with 4 other professional women to create a MasterMind group to grow our businesses. I can't wait.

Today was a great day. I saw kids perform, I got hired for three new speaking engagements. Wow!

Have a wonderful rest of day.

Happy Giving to Others!!!

Ann

What a Day .... How to Manage it All

Good Afternoon,

Whew, I'm really back at work at the Desk of the Head Boomer ... one week into the new year.

Phones ringing, millions (not really) of emails. People are back!

I'm determined to complete this book I'm writing, but it seems the days fly with everything else.

I started with a breakfast meeting at 8:00, then conference calls at 11:30, 12:00, 1:30, 2:30, 3:00. Here it is now, just after 4:00 and I've got to leave soon for a 6:00 Networking meeting.

Did I write even one word in my book draft today? The answer would be NO.

Point: I'm in charge of my own schedule. I don't work for anyone but me... AND, I still don't seem to have time. We all need crash courses in stress/time management OR we need to make our calendars kinder and gentler ... to avoid burnout.

Would you believe that I have designed and teach a course called: How to Manage It All? How ironic. It's often said that we teach what we need to learn.

Is your life like this as well? We're all only human. Take some time. (Think I'll be quiet for a few minutes before charging off.) Take some deep breaths. It will all be perfect.

Tonight ... turn on the telly, kick your shoes off and watch the results of the nation's first primary. Should be really interesting and telling ... perhaps a predictor of who the 2 candidates will be.... and who the candidates "won't" be.

Happy viewing.

Catch you soon.

Ann

My crazy schedule

Good morning,

I didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. Wow. Well, I was really tired last night.  I should explain.

I'm a night person. I frequently stay up til after midnight and sometimes I go to sleep and then can't sleep and get up and read or write. So, it catches up with me.

The point here -- I used to handle the weird sleep patterns better. Could it be that as I get "older" I need more sleep? Who knows. Since I refuse to admit getting older, I think I avoid the question.

But here's the important piece. Because I live the life I love -- I work for myself, set my own schedule... it doesn't really matter. I can sleep later in the morning. I can stay up later at night. Now don't get me wrong. I work a lot, and I love everything I do.

Point:  When you follow your dreams, live the life YOU want ... then your sleep patterns are yours to choose.

Ask yourself -- am I living life on my terms? Do I get up each day and do what I love? Is there something I need to think about changing in my world so that I can have that?

Happy Searching.

I could say TGIF -- but when you live the life you love, everyday feels like Friday, or Saturday or Sunday.

Have a great day.

Ann

Here we go

Good morning,

Well, today is the Iowa Caucus. Part of me says, "who cares! and I 'm already tired of the politics." The other part of me says, "here we go with our nearly year of politics and I'm hoping that whoever gets the presidential office CARES about the needs and interests of the boomers." I guess we'll know some important results in about 10- 12 hours. Glad I'm not in Iowa.

Point: For us, boomers, to get our needs met, we need to take them into our own hands, be proactive and NOT just depend on Washington to meet them. But, taking charge ourselves -- that's really good news.

It's really cold in NYC where I sit today. Winter has arrived. Let's make that good news. Use being inside more in a positive way: meditate, make lists of your goals and desires and actions to take, pursue your hobbies, become an advocate and write letters and emails about what's important to you, be loving with your mate OR take on a lover if you're single. 

Point: In cold weather, utilize your indoor time powerfully and have fun with it!

So, that's it from the desk of the Head Boomer on Jan. 3rd. 2008 --- which we know is the BEST year ever. Have a great day! (This is fun -- I love doing it.)

Excitedly,

Ann

Welcome... Entry #1

Hello Everyone,

So... what do you want to do with your wild and crazy year? Yes, it's January 2nd, 2008 -- we're back to our life. What now? Is it life as usual OR will it be a different, more fulfilling year? (By the way, I won't use the "reso......" word -- don't believe in them.) For me, it's about the BIG PICTURE and then baby steps for getting there. And, it's about the ups and downs of the journey. That way I'm rarely disappointed at my progress. I put one foot in front of the other and keep on going. And, I NEVER give up.

Okay, so, who am I and why am I writing this blog? And, why would someone bother to come here and read one of probably a billion blog entries per day around the world?

I'm Ann Fry, I'm the "head boomer" and CEO of It's BoomerTime. Why the "head boomer?"

Well, I was born on January 1st, 1946 ... NOT the first one born, but came out as soon as I could. In fact, I was born at 8:11 a.m. on that day ... AND I was 2 months early. I think I've been a "preemie" my whole life. I love to jump the gun, to get a head start and I'm usually early wherever I go. Now, as for size. I was small when I was born -- still short, but not tiny anymore. But, I think I look great! I have a lot of other qualifications for being in this position, but you can read about me elsewhere if you'd like.

If you haven't been to www.itsboomertime.com I hope you'll visit. We're new and growing. We'd like you to sign on to our newsletter.

For this first entry... I'll make it fairly short, but have a few more things to say.

1. I'll enter several times a week -- can't promise daily, but I'll try
2. I'd love to interact with you, so pleeeasssse add your comments.
3. I'll focus on all things "boomer" -- I see myself as an advocate or "Point person" for the generation
4. My goal is to pull you forward towards fulfillment -- living the life you want and I'll be challenging you (and myself) to go after all that.
5. My other goal is to encourage you to be philanthropic -- to give to help others. (I'm a social worker -- and I'm always there to remind us to take care of others less forturnate.)
6. My still other goal is to bring awareness to the whole area of boomers at work AND boomers retiring -- both groups are important
7. My last goal is to encourage you to have as much FUN as you can in your wild and crazy life.

Now because this is my blog -- I might get off track at times. I might make some political comments, suggest you see certain movies, comment on relative news issues, talk about dating and marriage and relationships .... oh, and sex and romance. So, be prepared.

For today or whenever you read this.... I suggest a moment of reflection:

Look at your life, go through each area (maybe write them down) and indicate which parts are working well and which aren't. Then, consider what you might do to make them all work the way you'd like. And, don't forget to be generous with yourself -- to recognize all you are grateful for along the way.

Happy reflecting! See you next time. Thanks for reading.

Excitedly yours,

Ann