If you are a Gen X’ers, you would have fallen between the ages of 9-19 during the 80’s. We were always encouraged to have goals. And not just any goals, but big goals. The 80’s we were about being the best of the best. Opposite of quiet luxury. If you had it, you flaunted it. And if you couldn’t afford it, you wore fake and argued with anyone that tried to prove that it was.

It’s easy to create a vision board that represents a life of ease and luxury. It was plastered all over the movies and music videos we watched. I never missed an episode of Cribs on MTV in the 90’s. We understood the dream and trusted what hard work was going to do for us. That vision was presented to us as a college degree, purchasing the cookie cutter house in the suburbs, with an HOA, two cars in the garage, 2 ½ kids (I always wondered about the ½ option), and an impressive portfolio. At the same time, we as women were being told to be independent, have our own, that we needed men, and that we could have it all. Instead, we ended up single, with kids, fighting over men, and wearing a mask that portrayed we were holding it all together.

With all of that impressed into my subconscious, now I find myself in my 50’s trying to figure out the next step. I’ve reached the age of not having to give a damn, but realistically, I do. Retirement is still 10-12 years away and I am asking the question, what do I want to do with the rest of my life. I know I don’t want the same career I’ve been working all these years. It probably seems like a waste to change now, but 12 years is long time. Think about this. Ironman came out on May 2, 2008. We have invested 16 years into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let that sync in. I definitely can devote time to doing something new.

I’m asking myself how do I align what I want, with my goals at this big age?

Each solar return, we are blessed to have another year added to the calendar. I just turned 54 a little over four months ago so I’m not used to saying it yet. But the goal is to hold onto not only my looks, but my mind and health also. And lets not be coy, my money too.

I strongly believe that having goals and learning new things keeps our minds healthy. Gen X grew up when dial up was a thing. We are older than Google. Majority of us have a true understanding of technology and have grown along with it. AI doesn’t scare us. What scares us is growing old in the sense of not being able to be the persons we are today.

Have you ever asked yourself what you value and come up with an answer that was not given to you? Erase what your parents told you. What the church told you. What school taught you. And what your partner wants. Now ask, what do you value? Does that value align with what your current goals are?

My career goals were aligned with being able to supply my children the essentials; food, shelter, clothing and health insurance. Now my goals are to supply my essentials. My essentials are more along the lines of traveling, laughing, and enjoying more of my personal time along with a job that pays me wherever in the world I am.

Setting goals at our age is no different than when we were setting them in high school, our 20’s, 30’s and etc. The only thing I would say is different is you are setting goals for yourself this time. Of course if you have a partner, you have to get them on board. Again, this isn’t what your parents want. This isn’t what they told us in school or the church. This is what we want for the 2^nd half of our lives.

I take it back. There is one big difference in our goals this time then from previous years. The experience we bring to the table now. I’m remembering what I did in the past to achieve goals I set. I’m still setting up my action plan and filling in my calendar. This time, I’m going to enjoy the journey instead of just focusing on completing the goal. By that I mean, I’m taking my time as I learn new routines and skills.

I hope this topic excites you as much as it does me. I want to bring you the tools you need for the journey of our 50+ era. I am positive we do not have anything to fear but instead so much to share with one another.

I look forward to this being a long and prosperous journey with you.

– Portia