Transformation in life and business

One of the cliches that stuck with me from business school is that industries change either through evolution or revolution. I think that applies to people, as well, and I find both kinds of change interesting.
Last weekend, the New York Times ran an article that expressed well some of what I’ve been feeling lately — that society gives so much attention to firsts, like your first job and first home, when the more significant decisions are likely to come later in life.
I’d love to share the article with you, but damned if I can find the thing, either using Google or the Times search function. You’ll just have to trust me.
As I recall it,  the author posited that when young people choose first jobs, for example, it’s often not an especially well informed choice. As we grow older and learn more about ourselves and the world, we’re in a better position to make big decisions — but by then, we might have so much invested in those previous choices that it can be difficult to change.
I’d been kicking around the idea of launching a new blog exploring new ideas and what might be a second act in my life.  Then this article that I can’t even find to link to helped serve as a catalyst. The new year seems like the ideal time to start a new project like this, so here we are.
Not that I’m the first person to think about reinvention. Madonna has built her whole career on it.
In an article I could find from the Times, Marc Freedman, author of Encore, says:

The research we’ve done shows that there are millions of people launching second careers in areas like education, health care, the nonprofit sector and government. And they don’t want to wait until they are 62 or 65 to get started. They want to do it early enough so that they have enough time to go through the inevitable ups and downs, explore different options and do something significant for a significant period of time.

While it’s not a new idea, I hope to bring something new to the conversation. My concept is to share examples of people who have reinvented themselves personally, professionally or both, as well as tools I find useful or informative, plus probably a sprinkling of articles, book reviews and whathaveyou that help advance the discussion. I expect a lot of these items will be wrapped in my own notions of what I might want to be when I grow up.
Maybe that makes this blog a little like writing a business plan for my life, sharing the thought process and inviting participation.
I hope you’ll join in. Offer up feedback, questions, criticism, insights. Share tales of your own transformation or those you’ve found inspiring.
And let me know if you find that consarned New York Times article.

I'm Colleen Newvine, and I would love to help you navigate your evolution or revolution
Let’s work together

4 Comments

  • Rob
    Posted January 5, 2009 2:57 pm 0Likes

    Love the blog idea, Newvine!
    I totally agree about evolution and revolution. We are evolving everyday, but are we open to the change? Are we brave enough to accept it?
    I’ve found that I change the most and learn the most about myself when I am put in situations that are uncomfortable, where I have to adapt and grow to meet the challenge. I went through a herculean period of work this past summer that forced me to operate at a higher level than I ever knew was possible. The funny thing is, when I returned to my regular day job, it seemed totally ill-fitting, boring and small. So, I am using that as a sign that I need to set my sights in the direction of my experience over the summer. That experience, albeit tiresome and overwhelming, showed me what I am capable of and where I should be.
    I’m also applying that principle to my daily life. Looking for areas in my daily life that seem uncomfortable or non-routine and exploring those areas, finding what I can learn from those experiences. Whether it be riding my bike into work or taking the bus instead of driving or going out to lunch with a different crowd, I am trying to seek out the uncomfortable and see what it holds for me.
    Keep blogging! It’s great food for thought!

  • jtebeau
    Posted January 6, 2009 3:01 am 0Likes

    You have a hell of a point there, Rob. When I look back on the best things I’ve done, they’ve been some of the things I’ve most resisted. I went in kicking and screaming and came out a ‘fuller’ person. You’ve touched on something profound.

  • cnewvine
    Posted January 7, 2009 2:01 am 0Likes

    Thanks for the comments, guys.
    Rob, I love your insight — that instead of steering away from discomfort, we should seek it out. Sort of like when you go to the gym after a long time away, those muscles you haven’t used in a while are going to be sore, but you have to push through that to get to the benefits.

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