Coaches & Therapists: Ready for the Big Six-OH?

 In 2006 the first of the demographic cohort called the Baby Boomers turned 60. Usually with milestone birthdays people stop, reflect and take stock of their lives. And the BIG Six-OH! really sends people into reflection and introspection.

After looking in the mirror and asking, "How did that happen?" ...followed by "Wow, I don't look 60, and I sure don't feel THAT old..." the next thing that follows is usually "Oh! My! God!... that sure happened FAST!"

Meryl Streep in the movie "It's Complicated" is redefining what 60-year-old women look like. Thank goodness, it was about time.

This actually happened to me a few years ago, so I know what I'm talking about. Frankly, it's all good, a little better than I expected, and fortunately, the down-hill part hasn't hit yet.

The most frightening thing? Seeing a few older friends start to fade, health-wise. The next scary thing is seeing a few Boomer friends who do not know what to do next. When they realize they still have 25-35 good years ahead, they are increasingly concerned about meaning, purpose, and energy.

Dan Pink in his new book, Drive, points out there is a possible tsunami coming as the Baby Boomers face questions like:

• What can I do that really matters?
• How can I start to make a big difference in this world?
• How can I live my best life in this next part of it?

This demographic phenomena is unprecedented. Boomers are the largest age cohort in most western countries, as well as in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. alone has about 78 million boomers - which means that on average, each year more than four million Americans hit the Big Six-OH! That's one hundred boomers turning sixty every 13 minutes.

Boomers as a group are the wealthiest and best-educated generation in the world. And they have always been interested in self-actualizing. As they approach their older years, they are increasingly concerned with their mortality and leaving a legacy.

This is why they will turn in large numbers to coaches and therapists for help and guidance. This is why, if you're a coach or a therapist, you need to be online and actively marketing your expertise.

"The value of a life can be measured by one's ability to affect the destiny of one less advantaged. Since death is an absolute certainty for everyone, the important variable is the quality of life one leads between the times of birth and death." ~ Bill Strickland, Founder of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, and MacArthur "genius award" winner.

For the first time ever, the planet will contain more people over age sixty-five than under the age of five.

While it's true that not every aging boomer will require the services of a coach or a therapist, it's highly likely that as so many people ponder their mortality and evaluate goals and what really matters, that many will.

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Comments

[Bonnie McFarland]

I agree with you, Patsi. That's why I'm starting a biz (blog now, coaching services later) aimed at women "in the neighborhoood" of 60. Thanks for confirming I'm on the right track.