New Book ROAR Teaches Us How To Make Choices That Maximize The Second Half Of Our Lives. Anybody Can Do It – Here’s How

How many times have you asked yourself, am I doing the right thing? Am I with the right person? Am I in the right place? The pandemic only served to amplify these thoughts.

Fortunately, Roar: into the second half of your life (Before It’s Too Late), a new book by Michael Clinton out today, is here to help. The takeaway? After 50, we women can all move loudly and proudly into a life that brings fulfillment and joy. Clinton

interviewed 40 people, both well-known names and everyday folks, all of whom successfully executed a 180-degree pivot in their lives after the age of 45. His conclusion? “There’s going to be an entirely different definition of what it means to be 50+ in our culture.”

Roar: Clinton doesn’t just talk the talk. He came from humble beginnings and worked his way up to the highest ranks at Condé Nast and Hearst. After retiring (or, as you will soon learn, rewiring) in 2020, he pursued a second master’s degree, joined numerous boards of directors, pursued his passion for adventure travel and wrote a book. The title Roar is an acronym for the steps he took to change his life. 

Reimagine yourself – decide what you want your future to look like before others make that decision for you.

Own who you are – understand your background, your health and your financials – all the things that will give you the foundation to move forward.

Act on what’s next – make an actionable plan to achieve your new goals.

Reassess your relationships – edit out the relationships that are just habits. Surround yourself, in your personal life, at work and in your community, with people who add value to your life.

Roadmap For Creating a Fabulous Second Act

Many of us spent the early years of our careers pursuing a path that simply pleased our parents or spouses, or just paid the bills. But that doesn’t mean you can’t switch things up now. And in Clinton’s mind, if you are 50 and healthy, you have a pretty good chance of living another 40+ years during which you can have multiple careers, multiple lifestyles and multiple loves.  Here are some tips on how to maximize your second act and actually become the YOU you wanted to be all along:

Be a reimagineer. The old construct of what it means to be 50 is blowing up. Nowadays, many people have young kids in their 50s, embark on new careers in their 60s, get a puppy in their 70s and fall in love in their 80s. Whereas 50 used to be perceived as the beginning of the end, reimagine 50 as a second chance to start over.

Challenge ageist thinking in corporate America. According to PWC, only 8% of companies include age as part of their diversity and inclusion strategies. Rather than tapping into the experience and knowledge of older employees, employers foolishly focus on exit strategies. To shake this up, change the language. It’s not a midlife crisis, it’s a midlife awakening. Instead of age appropriate, think of it as person appropriate. And when you ultimately decide to walk away, don’t’ think of it as retiring, think of it as rewiring for a new life in the future.

Always be a student. You don’t have to commit to a formalized degree program but always be propelling yourself forward and learning and trying new things. Clinton, for example, completed a master’s degree in nonprofit philanthropy in his 60s just because he loves that sector.

Listen to the voice in your head. When you hear that little voice, address it or it will consume you. Clinton shares a story in his book of a woman who, at 53, left her job as a book editor to pursue a career in medicine. Today, in her 60s, she is a practicing physician.

Keep a journal. At the beginning of each year, write down your annual goals. Check in with the journal at the beginning of each month to assess your progress and check yourself if you’re falling behind. This accountability keeps you focused and motivated.

Make 20-year-old friends. Practice what Clinton calls “reverse mentoring” by making friends of all ages so you can learn from them and understand life from a different perspective.

Pretend you are 90. Picture yourself towards the end of your life and look back. What do you see? Think about what you did, what you accomplished and if you were the kind of person you wanted to be? Then decide if you need to course correct. Make the changes now that will result in a life that is satisfying, fulfilling and about which you can be proud.

What It Takes To Be Successful In The Second Half

Clinton identified a few common traits among the folks he interviewed and believes these traits are the key to a successful pivot.

Being curious and open about the world and about life makes it easier to take the leap into uncharted waters. Clinton shares a story about Eric who moved to the west coast for work but had an aversion to water. As a joke, his wife bought him a wetsuit. Eric quite literally dove in and discovered a new passion. Today, he is the CEO of the World Surf League.

Having a sense of “can-do optimism” also makes the transition easier. Patricia was a reserved elementary school teacher who was known by her friends for her humor. They convinced her to try an “open mic night” at a local comedy club. Now in her late 50s, Patricia is a standup comedian who travels the comedy circuit. 

Finally, being willing to put in the time and effort is important. Clinton advises that people spend at least a year planning out their second act – it shouldn’t be an impetuous decision. He relays a story of his friend Maggie, a mother of three and award-winning teacher who, in her late 30s, felt something was missing in her life. She spent years researching other paths that would provide more financial freedom and fulfil her desire to be of service to others. She ultimately became a health and running coach and started her own wellness company, Hello Freedom. “I’m in charge of my own destiny; it’s creative and fast-changing and I’m thriving,” she says of her second act.

At 50+, we all have the opportunity for a second chance. It’s a chance to reflect, regroup, rethink and chart a different course. Take some well-calculated risks and make necessary changes so when you do look back, you are proud of what you did and who you are. Clinton is living proof that reinventing yourself in the second half of your life can work. The next chapter for him is tackling the world of entrepreneurship. Why? Because he can. And so can you.