Have you ever noticed how once you hit 40 (or it seems so to some), there are young vicious sharks swimming around your desk at work? They act like friends, but you just KNOW that they are circling and waiting to have you for lunch. I’d like to give you a few tips on how to keep the sharks at bay…
1. Never and I mean NEVER use the word “old” to describe yourself. Good grief, if you’re not 80 you’re not old to begin with and need slapped upside the head just for saying it. Saying that you’re getting old is like opening a wound and dripping blood in the water. Stop it!
2. Feeling squishy and slow among your 12 year old coworkers? Let me break it to you… Watching American Idol while eating chips and playing couch potato isn’t going to advance you career, only your waist. Get up off your butt and get active.
3. And if you “try” to get active and suddenly EVERYTHING hurts… Get over it! It will! I don’t know how many people give up after the first time they exercise simply because it hurts. Reality check, it’s going to hurt! Don’t overdo it, but come on don’t mosey through the neighborhood without breaking a sweat and call that enough. Sweat, baby, sweat!
4. When you do exercise, listen to something upbeat. Smooth jazz may keep you from getting violent on the drive home, but goodness it will do NOTHING for a workout. Think of it this way, if the music can cause your pulse to pick up just listening or watching the video, imagine what it can do for a workout.
5. Another “don’t” is the constant complaining about the younger workers… It makes you look like the curmudgeon of the office and like you should be saying something like “When I was a kid, we walked 10 miles to school, uphill, both ways.” I’m sure that they are difficult to converse with, but goodness, let’s not date ourselves.
6. Understand that you should be at the top of your game and you’re never too old to take classes and seek professional development. The only way to stay on top is to be a continuous student.
7. Be active in your community and make a difference in lives. There’s a much bigger world than just the only you live in. Look out for more than just you and your own. This not only makes you a role model to your fellow workers, but your kids, as well.
8. And finally… Learn to have fun and play as hard as you work. Stop making excuses, enjoy life. It will make work even better and you never know, you might just have something to talk about with your younger coworkers.
Follow these guidelines and not only will you stand a chance with the sharks, but you might just become a force to be reckoned with (instead of sleeping with the fishes).
“How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?” ~ Satchel Paige
