There’s not a lot you can do about ageing because the alternative isn’t favoured by most of us. However, there is a lot you can do to make sure it is as pleasant as possible. My oldest son’s Nan was someone I admired and respected, and she aged with dignity. She dressed well, still made her own clothes well into her 80’s, wore high heels in her 80’s that are too high for me, even now but the best thing about this woman was that she went with the flow. As her faculties left her she did what she could and still lived a quality life. Each week she had her hair styled and she wore modern clothes. She ate well and kept busy doing what she loved. 
This is not the case for many ageing people, they let themselves go. They stop looking after their clothes, let their hair go and style isn’t something that’s important to them because they believe they’re past it. Many people say that they become invisible as they become older – I disagree with this statement. If we become invisible then it’s more about us than the viewers. It’s easy to say that and then blame someone else for what we see as a misdemeanour rather than taking responsibility for what we can do to change the status quo.
If you’re starting to get to the age where you think you’ve become invisible then do something about it. Have a look at yourself in the mirror and check it out. Be the observer and be your own critic. What do you really look like? Do you dress well and in modern clothes (remember your clothes are you and they give others the impression of who you are – whether it’s true or not)? What message do you want to give others as you age? Do you care about what others think? What image do you really want to give others – think about it – change it until you have the desired result?
Remember that at any age some people won’t want to know you but that’s more about them than you and always remember that you don’t have to become old and dowdy. You can stay young at heart, you can dress to impress, you can stay fit and healthy and you can keep your mind active – you can also live a fantastic life if you’re willing to put the hard work into it and create your own reality. So, have a look at those who are a generation older than you, take note of what you don’t like, that you don’t want to ever do and remember it because it’s very easy to let your own aspirations and goals slip as you enter that time zone and before you know it, you’re doing exactly what you disliked at an earlier point in your life.
Merydith Willoughby is an international award winning international Organisation Development Consultant with over two decades in this industry. She delivers services to Australia and USA. She published Sex in the Boardroom recently and IF IT’S TO BE: It’s up to me, was released in 2007. Go to www.ibcoaching.com.au or call executive business coach Merydith Willoughby on 0422 133202 for more information.
