Ask the Coach: Mar 24, 2022

Hi, do you think 60 is too late in life to train for a new career/beginning?

Sincerely, Sally

Dear Sally,

First let me acknowledge your interest in taking on a new initiative. They say age is just a number and 60 is a great number.

Regardless of age or stage of life, it is never too late to learn new things and explore new opportunities.  Shifting careers or making a significant life change requires a great amount of thought and consideration, however. Some questions to ask:

Does the training require a serious time and energy commitment?  Are you able to make this shift given your current life situation? Do you have an ultimate plan in mind for how you wish to enter this new career?  Are those around you supportive of this decision?  

Statistically about 80% of people over 50 and older are thinking about changing careers but only 6% go through with it.

Here are some tips to consider:

1) Determine what you want to do, some real soul searching – determine if your lifestyle will change and if you’re open to that

2) List all your skills – transferable skills are essential when changing careers

3) Seek support –when you are thinking about re-inventing yourself and your career, you’re’ going to need support from friends and family

4) Consider more education – after you update your resume, take a good look at the job listings, and see what skills and experience they are asking for.

5) Clean up your finances – you will feel less constrained during your job search if you don’t have large debts hanging over your head.

6) Network – get back in touch with people who are already doing the job you’d like to do, and ask them how they prepared themselves

7) Do a test-drive, volunteer or moonlight in your new career/job before you make the leap from your current gig.

Employers in this economic climate are looking for people who are interested and open to learning new things and are independently honing their skills or acquiring new ones.

All the best in your new endeavours!!

I'm engaged, and super excited. I want a small, intimate wedding but my fiancé’s family wants a giant bash for their very large family. How can I establish a boundary to get what I want without alienating my fiancé’s family?

From, Francine

Dear Francine,

Congratulations on your engagement.  Planning a wedding can be fun as well as quite stressful. 

Before getting upset, sit down with your fiancé, and discuss what’s happening.   Its always a good idea to go in as a pair (united front) to talk to them.

Speak openly and calmly about your vision, your wants for this special day and your concerns. Remind everyone that it is your wedding, and you want to feel comfortable with the decisions, that includes what’s going to happen on the big day as well as all the financial implications.

It can get messy if the family is assisting with the budget. Often, they want to include all family in the celebration, creating an event that is not comfortable for you. Again, a calm and caring conversation may be all you need to keep everyone in check.

Set a boundary with your fiancé.  If it doesn’t fit your vision, you must say so.  It is your day your and final call.  Write a list with your partner of the 10 things you value most for your wedding – all else is a bonus.

And finally, don’t panic, just because there may be a clash now doesn’t mean things won’t improve.  Be a united front, as a couple you need to be solid throughout the entire process and finally, pick your battles.  Consider asking invested family members to rate their priorities on a scale of 1-10.  Understanding where each parties’ interest and hears lie may make it easier to find compromise.

Remember, communication and stating your wishes and desires openly as a couple is a great way to help solve conflict.

Take a deep breath and think about how you want your day to look and then state your desires.

You’ve got this! 

We have the pleasure of joining forces with Merrill Pierce, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by Corporate Coach U, and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). She is also an accredited member of Society of Organizational Learning (SOL), and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediator certified by the ADR Institute of Canada.

Merrill has spent over 20 years working at a number of Fortune 500 companies, of which 10 years were at the senior executive level. This background provides her with a solid and practical understanding of personal and professional issues, challenges, and concerns. Merrill is also a regular contributor to the media and has published several articles and white papers on business related topics.

Merrill is ready to tackle YOUR questions! Whether they are personal, or professional - she can anonymously answer your submissions, and help you navigate any relevant challenges occurring in your life. Doing so could help others in similar situations and scenarios. Merrill will also be presenting advice on relevant, general topics to help our readers.

Welcome to the Town Crier Merrill! If you want to send a question to Merrill please submit to submissions@explorefenelonfalls.com