Ever since I’ve been on Twitter, @johntarnoff has been following me. He retweets my blog post almost every week. Who is this nice person, I wondered? I clicked on his Twitter handle and saw that he has more than 97,000 followers and is a super handsome, sixty-something, former Hollywood entertainment executive.
Wow-o-wow!
John Tarnoff is also a very smart reinvention career coach, speaker and writer for baby boomers. He holds a B.A. magna-cum-laude from Amherst College, and a M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. He grew up in New York and Paris, and lives in Los Angeles. (All my favorite places, another reason why I like him.)
John Tarnoff is author of “Boomer Reinvention.”
John has been reinventing himself for much of his forty-year career. In fact, he has just written a book called Boomer Reinvention: How To Create Your Dream Career Over 50. His publicist sent a copy to me. The book won high praise from noteworthy boomers such as Arianna Huffington, CEO and Founder of Thrive Global; Ken Burns, filmmaker; and Richard Eisenberg, Nextavenue.org, so I am pleased to share some highlights with you. (Note: Be sure to enter my Rafflecopter Giveaway below to win a copy!)
Statistics Set The Stage For Second-Acts
According to the 2014 Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, 65% of baby boomers working plan to work past age 65 or do not plan to retire. And 68% of Americans age 50-64 are worried about not having enough for retirement. (Gallup, April 2014). “Yikes,” says John. “Most boomers will have to work through their 60s and many even into their 70s. But that’s why I wrote Boomer Reinvention — to help boomers create sustainable second-act careers that are appropriate, authentic, meaningful and purposeful.”
A Different Take On Boomer Reinvention
In his key paradigm John states that “reinvention is not about trying to figure out what job or business you can fit into out there. It’s about figuring out what job or business is already inside you, aching to come out and play, and then taking the necessary steps to make it a reality.”
John believes that in order to create the future, you have to make peace with the past. “There is no use in pivoting to a new job or a new calling – or even renewing or reformulating the job you already have – unless you first deal with all the old baggage and self-limitations that are likely standing in your way.”
Five-Step Framework and 23 Strategies
John’s Boomer Reinvention features a five step framework and 23 strategies that he developed while going through his own job changes and career reinventions – 39 times during his career. No wonder he is an expert!
Okay, okay, okay, don’t be overwhelmed because there are 23 strategies. I know that sounds like a big number. John makes the process super practical with what he calls “a smorgasbord of exercises and practices” that are effective and easy to implement. “There is truly something for everyone in this collection of approaches,” says John.
While I won’t elaborate on the 23 strategies, below is an overview of his Five-Step Framework. I encourage you to read the book for more details and check out John’s website, boomerreinvention.com, where you can download some of his worksheets and watch his videos.
1. Reframing. In the first step, John encourages you to go deep into your beliefs about who you are and what you can do at your age. He explains how to assess your skills and create a mission statement for yourself. He provides sample assessments and then let’s you do it yourself.
2. Listening. This step involves getting feedback about yourself from others and taking time to evaluate what you learn.
3. Accepting. John shows you how to adopt a compassionate attitude toward yourself and others. “It’s time to let go of the past ways. Dream BIG,” says John.
4. Expressing. John asks really good questions to help you map your personal Vision Board and SWOT: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis.
5. Connecting. Finally, John offers ways to optimize your online profile and professional network to help you develop the skills to make your new career a reality.
In addition to the framework and strategies, the book includes examples with boomers who reinvented themselves and how they did it. My favorite is former lawyer Julie, who became a mindfulness teacher and leadership development consultant. (Since I became a yoga instructor during my life after 50, you can guess why I enjoyed this story the most.)
Top Advice For Reinvention
Finally, I wanted to know if readers were to walk away learning just one thing about creating your dream career over 50, what John’s advice would be? His answer: “It’s never too late to start a second-act career and successfully launching it is within everyone’s grasp. While my book can provide the spark that gets someone off the dime, there are so many resources available to re-inventors today. The only thing holding someone back is their own unwillingness to take a chance and bet on themselves.”
Enter Giveaway For A Copy of Boomer Reinvention
To win a copy of Boomer Reinvention, enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below. Leave a comment about how you plan to reinvent yourself or how you have already reinvented yourself during your second-act career.
Judi
I am currently learning a modality called Bowenworks. A fantasic modality that lets the body heal itself. I’m hoping to do this when I retire. I love working with people and letting all know how truly fantastic the body really is! Ingrid
Ingrid, sounds like an exciting opportunity to pursue after you retire. Congrats and glad you have starting working on your dreams beforehand.
I am all about reinventing yourself, I started my business at 50 and have just started my blog! Can’t wait to read this book!
Dawn, congrats on starting your business and a blog too! Good for you. Best of luck.
I love this article and just downloaded the book! I just reinvented myself by starting a business at age 62. What drove my decision was my need to release my creative energy. I created a product and am very passionate about my company mission. I can’t wait to read John’s book to learn about how those 23 strategies could help push me forward with that mission!
Jacqui, so glad you enjoyed this blog post. I do think you will find John’s book worthwhile as you continue to develop your business.
At this point I think I’ll be working….forever. With the little money I make from writing I can’t imagine being able to retire. I’d love to read this book!
Cathy, retirement is different today than it was in our parent’s day. You will enjoy John’s book. He makes you think different about reinventing your career during your second act.
Hi Judy…So much about this post to get excited about! I’ve been engaged in an on-again-off-again job search since 2011. Over time I’ve come to realize (and to own) that the stellar career I’ve enjoyed for nearly 40(!) years…I don’t enjoy so much anymore. I want to love and love what I do…again! As I once did. I’d love this book to support my journey into my next act!
Gena, I think you would really find John’s book worthwhile as you sort through creative ideas for a fulfilling career during your second act.
This book sounds great. I currently work at a desk job that doesn’t feed my soul. I want to find a career that will feed my soul and allow me to be more active and interact with other individuals. I guess first thing I need to do is decide where I want to put my energy to reinvent myself.
Kim, this book is exactly what you need to help you reinvent your second act career. John provides the steps and strategies to help people reinvent themselves post 50.
No I have not planned a second act. Not sure how this book would help.
Hi Judi, I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog and this post! I feel it was directed right at me. At 54 I am returning to school and have just started a blog. Attempting to reinvent! Will definitely be checking out John’s book.
Eileen, thanks for your kind words. Glad to have you as a reader.