A culture of work ethic and optimism

Any smart employer or start up would be smart to consider an Inbetweener (1960-65) for hire.  Just take a look at what The New York Times said dispelling the myth that older workers are less productive and generally are weighing down the economy.

I agree with their observation.  Why?  Simply because I’m an older worker and I was hatched when there was a lot going on.  In fact, the first cold war, economic downturn not experienced since the 1920s depression.  There is a strong likelihood that my parents were children of the Great Depression, and raised me to be able to cope with such an event.

Think about it, the next recession to hit occurred just as I was graduating from high school, completed college, ready to get started with optimism and a strong work ethic bestowed by my parents.

Employers are missing the key element that brings the younguns the right example and proper expectations to reality.  We were born to be responsible, accountable and soldiers of work.

 

This same group that is debated also worked through the optimism that emerged in the late 1980s.  Some of the greatest discoveries and technological wonders impacted the world just as we were getting started.  There were no fancy training courses or charts to reference, we simply had to have a “can do” attitude to survive.  If we survived the prolific foreclosures of that era, unscathed, it was likely because we capitalized on others’ misfortune and scraped our pennies together to buy our first house.  Our aging parents were perplexed as to why were were putting home ownership before having children.

Not really surprising, looking back.  Almost anyone could have a child, but mostly everyone was uncertain whether the economy and opportunities were going to get any worse.  So we had to seize the moment and dive in.

 

 

We were fueled by the fear of not wanting to have to face what our parents’ childhood did, nor did we want to be victim of what was circulating around us:  doom and gloom.  Not just economically either.  There was a cold war going on.

I watch CNN’s series on the 80s and it sometimes makes me wonder if I was asleep during this period?  However, the biggest news stories of the day did register on my radar.  Yet I was simply too busy buckling down and working to keep from drowning from economic disaster.

 

One could take a look at that period and extrapolate a culture of survivorship, strong work ethic and ingenuity that came along with that era.   We weren’t afraid to start at the bottom and work our way up from the bottom.  So different from the sense of entitlement expounding today.

So, if I happen to be surrounded by Millennials, they should be so lucky.  Anyone in their 50s, born of the 80s careers, has an element of work ethic and the right attitude that an employer should want to sprinkle into their workforce.

 

Today’s employers think they’re pretty nifty to use technology to prove who is producing and who should be perished to the unemployment line.  Metrics have displaced instinct and doing what is right for their business and their customers.  Why, because they have strengths that are likely not acknowledged, never mind recognized:

1. They know how to get it done right the first time – slower does not mean stupid.
2. Speed and agility is aligned with accuracy – what happens when it’s done wrong?
3. They have pride in their work and are often overlooked because employers want to fast track the younger workers to ensure that they are cultivated to perform.
4. Beauty is often disassociated with age.  When there are so many beautiful people that are aging and setting strong examples for the youth.
5. They avoid sitting around feeling sorry for themselves because they were not brought up to think that way.
6. They were taught that if things aren’t going your way, it means you have to work harder.

Can you think of other attributes that the aging workforce contributes?  I certainly can think of at least a dozen more.  But I’m more excited to write this commentary and send it out into the universe to capture others that agree and stop the downward spiral of misinterpreting value that should be embraced, not shuffled off into obscurity.

 

Then again, there are some of us that write a Blog to expel our wisdom to the masses.  To head off mistakes that surely are happening from this mistaken philosophy.  There are simply so many of us that began our careers at the worst time in decades, until recently, that can be learned from, not banished.  We’re survivors, we’re really smart, and we have the “can do” attitude that no metric or test can uncover.

 

 

Meandering Musings

Often (or I used to be anyhow) I am asked about a particular look :: you'd better catch me wearing it so I'd remember :: because I'm a shopaholic shopping fashionista - here me CLICK!  (I'm going to experiment and give my choicest sites to get that "Fix ").

I'm also gonna write about how to shop guilt-free :: tips | tricks to hide "the evidence".
I think I'll make into a series within my Meanderings about .... blog.  It is here where I let my creativity rip. Whatever  makes me unhinged.

The beauty of writing your own blog (or in my case a few), you are the master of your domain :: really, truly amazing eh?

Call me an optimist, but I really think ladies in their 50s, post menopausal, fire breathing divas, are going to like my blog.  I have faith that once the storm hits, the blog will go viral and maybe I'll even attract a few major brands endorsement on my site :: of which they will pay me in money and gifts in kind (the ones they want me to try and review for women 50+). 

Sound fanciful?  Not really when you think about it, a gazillion percent of the world's population are women 50+.   They call the shots in their lives and influence those around them.  Confident and classy in sync with their inner voice, they need or want a laugh, raise their eyebrows once again, or pat their heart in sisterhood memories davine. 

It will be merged to become one unanimous collaborative voice for women born 1960 or later.  It will eventually be a club, which will charge fees for its membership.  Where only the truly gifted or inspirational women voice will be invited to blog :: about what matters, reflects how we feel, want to be more optimistic, smarter, or look classier.

It will start here.  The place where I discovered my foundling, the #bestofeverything hashtag.  Where inspiration to be the best of anything was born.    I've made some truly amazing connections, interactors, professional, artistic, creative people from around the world.  Alot of fiction writers, since I'm a prolific reader and far fewer of those that feed my knowledge junkie.

The first 50 commenters (subscribers) will automatically be invited into the Fashionista Club.  Fashionista being defined as:  a fabulously feminine,  fashionable, polished lady.  More likely in their 50s but not excluding the daughter Millennials who caught the wisdom of their mothers of studying and approving their lives by the women of influence before them.

  

Please enjoy the time you  spend with me.  

I enjoy having you along on

 my journey.

:: Love Jeannette ::

P.S.  Let me know what you think of my new page :: design/theme?  If you want a web image consultation, let me know, and we'll see what we can come up with together.

A woman on a mission

This blog has been evolving since it first started in March 2015 as a result of not always wanting to write about business, leadership or sales as I do on my optioneerJM blog.  I am thankful for those followers, and want to keep on track to write the articles there that many of my foundlings started out getting to know me.

However, as a self-described "fabulous fashionista fighting fifty" I realized that sometimes I just wanted to write with abandon and be freedom of self-expression or reflection.   It stemmed from loving to assemble great finds, whether it be art, photography, beauty tips or fashion statements.

"I want you to experience this Blog.  It would be great to be a vision for Baby Baby Boomers' experience and perspective.  Helping and entertaining is just a byproduct of doing what you love."                         

 I like to ramble on about what is concerning me in my world.  Least to say lately, that would be what happened in Paris.  I will probably dedicate writing about that on its own because it bothers me what happened.

Not to be conceited or to blow my own horn, but over the span of my lifetime, I have been noted for having a strong style sense.  At 5ft0in (rounded up from 4ft11in), busty, with more of a muscular build than a swelt frame, I have to work a little harder at finding what suits me.  

I have been a major fan of accessories, with a weakness for shoes that MUST have purses to match, that should be coordinated with the rest of the assemble, I think about what I'm going to wear.  

I passed a pink moonstone ring by the other week, regrettably.

Jewellery captures beauty by creations with masterful artisans or gemologist that make me almost drool.  I have a pretty fair collection, but nothing that would threaten the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, famed for her diamonds.  I'm innocent in that regard.  Born in April, diamond is my birthstone, and a privilege to own.  I don't selfishly collect it.  I just spoil myself once in a while when something attracts me, of less rare stones, while still beautiful.  



Wandering around vintage boutiques, thrift shops and charity stores, I love to find treasures that have been glazed over by others.  I have kicked myself for not buying something that I knew was beautiful and a one of a kind ... to me.

I make beauty mistakes, whether it being a hair color that is too dramatic for me or make up that isn't always so flattering.  I've written about my eyelash folly and discovered a better natural way to plump up the volume since then (stay tuned).

I have learned over time what suits me and don't mind being the most over dressed at an event.  It is not to show off.  Sometimes it is merely by luck to assemble the right outfit with the right accessories, the right footwear with a matching purse.  

Having a blog like this, I can fantasize about wearing something quite off-the-wall or not age appropriate.  That's the beauty of having an outlet like this blog to express myself.  Not necessarily by what I'd want to wear, but a look that would suit others of other generations or age groups.

I'd wear this but with a colorful scarf and accessories to match ... the boots with heels a must for me

Perhaps others can learn some tricks or looks that I've come up with.  There is always Polyvore, that allows someone to create fantasy looks, that may not compliment their frame, personality, or age.  That's good.  We need a place as adults to go beyond dress up dolls or Barbies.  

Be sure to wander back to my page as it strikes you.  The page itself may have updates on a great movie I recommend, art that has resonated with me, or images that strike my fancy.  It's chalk full of stuff.  Images.  Reading recommendations for books or blogs.  It is ever changing and constantly evolving.

One of my favorite places in Calgary during winter, skating with music in the background