Every year an eagle soars to a high mountain peak and sheds its feathers, stays there until it grows new ones. Snakes do the same. Sometimes, when you walk a bush path, you see shredded snake skins on the road, evidence that the deadly reptile has shed its old skin for a new one. It is a form of reinvention or renewal, if you like. This message is all about change, by whatever name.
Animals, though of a lower estate, evidently have the power to reinvent themselves. I believe that the animals do not just renew themselves on the outside; there’s also a rejuvenation process that takes place on the inside during such exercise. This just shows that we humans clearly have the natural ability to renew or reinvent ourselves as well. We share many physiological traits with animals.
Producers of goods and services know that, to profitably stay in business, they must continue to renew, repackage and reposition. It is how they survive the vagaries of a market that is very dynamic and unpredictable. The ever-growing tidal wave of generational change that continues to sweep across the nations does not tolerate stagnation of ideas in any form. Man must be part of the change by dictating or directing it, or be swept away by it.
You cannot live a successful life in this world, long enough from childhood, through adolescence to old age and not reinvent yourself regularly at some intervals. Physically, we do undergo changes as we age. The body and mind deteriorate gradually with the passage of time. Like cars, buildings and other assets that require renovation every once in a while, we too need to recalibrate our spirit, soul and body to stay in top shape and withstand the rigours of daily living, especially in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Everyone needs a personal development strategy to stay financially buoyant, strong, relevant, stable, healthy and fulfilled at any age. The secret to achieving these is to reinvent yourself as the need arises. Robert Kiyosaki said: “I want to be with the people moving boldly forward. I do not want to be with those left behind”. Most people are stranded in life because they are where they were in their comfort zone, five, ten, or many years ago. They do not embrace the change reality.
When you rest or sleep and wake-up refreshed, that’s reinvention of self in a way because you gain fresh energy, inspiration and dynamism. Reinvention is processional. Everyone must experience it. It is a silent rule of daily living. Whoever fails to observe it does so at their peril.
When applied to personal development, it is even more obvious. Since we all age naturally, we must find a way to reinvent, renew, and repackage, like we see product manufacturers do often with what they call product rebranding. It is a law of nature; a fact of life.
If you want to stay relevant and not get consigned to the dustbin of history prematurely, you have to take this piece as a wake-up call to remodel, renew and reinvent yourself, even as a retiree. My take is that you keep changing or you become a dinosaur of an old museum.
In a nutshell, to reinvent yourself you may do the following:
Look for new interests as a retiree. If you are a retired journalist for instance, you could go into media consultancy, lecturing; or write books on your area of core competence and be an authority on the subject matter. You can also learn a new skill.
A retired military officer can set up a security consultancy outfit, which is a good business in this era of fearful crimes, such as kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, etc.
A former university lecturer could set up a private school, work as a professor emeritus, consultant, or researcher. There’s no limit to what retirees can do to sustain their standards of living.
On a personal note, when you get bored with what you have been doing for years, you do not need to start complaining about the stress and drudgery of daily routine. It’s time to move on. You can go back to school and study a new discipline that interests you now. Changing a career mid-life is not impossible, I am doing it myself right now.
If you want a career lift, you study for the higher office you aspire to occupy if higher qualification is a requirement. You can reposition yourself for a great career leap forward in a matter of months. Make sure you take an aim, and set realistic goals before you take a plunge.
Giving back to society is a way you reinvent yourself and is not an obligation that’s exclusive to the rich. You too, can set up a charitable organisation and contribute to society in an area you feel strongly about. Remember, Mother Theresa was not a rich woman, neither was Mary Slessor, who stopped the killing of twins in the Niger delta. Yet, both are famous for their good works.
WEEKEND SPICE: Seasons change; children change; weathers change; relationships change; beauty changes; finances change; health changes; strength changes. Every person in this world is powerless to stop change. – T.D. Jakes
Folks, let me stop here, till next week. Stay motivated!
Ladi Ayodeji is an author, conference speaker/pastor and life coach. He can be reached at [email protected] and 09059243004 (sms only).