Inspiring People

Peter Carvell: Get out of your head any of the old myths about getting older. No single age brings any dramatic change to your mind or body; nor do you ever become less capable of working, learning, creating and playing a full role in life.

Keep working

Never think of Retiring; it doesn’t work. All play and no work makes Jack and Jill dull people. You are a hunter, whether an Apollo or a Diana, and need to bring something back from the hills. And you probably need more money! Remind yourself that living costs can double every 10 years, which means that £25,000 a year at 55 becomes £50,000 at 65, and £100,000 at 75.

Decide how you will achieve your dreams

You’ve worked full time for 30-40 years, you’ve brought up a family, bought a home and survived the rat race with only a few bruises. Now is the time to remember all the ambitions that got forgotten in the long working days. These years will be your legacy.

Make your Grand Plan

You need to make a personal Grand Plan on how you see your next two decades. What you plan to achieve, what work you intend to do, what you hope to learn, what fun you intend to have.

Surround yourself with love

Before you can begin on the great adventure into your Third Act, be certain that your family is with you. No one is more important than your partner. With all of those around you, sort out any old differences, repair any problems with your children, and close any misunderstandings with old friends.

Do your sums

You need as clear an idea of your future finances as you do of your ambitions. Money won’t ensure your happiness, but lack of it can ruin these years.

Keep your body and mind fit

If you want a long and successful Third Act, keep healthy and fit. Eating sensibly, drinking modestly and exercising daily is a good start. Having sex is even better; doctors now say it’s one of the best things we can do to help us stay healthy and young.

Make your home work for you

Whatever type of home you have always wanted, you can now have. If you need more money, then make your home work for you by raising loans against it to fund your new business plans or personal dreams. With the arrival of the Equity Release Mortgage, at every age from 60-90 a mortgage is possible for you.

Smile

Be optimistic. Be happy. Laugh More. You are lucky to have the chance of a long and healthy life, so acknowledge your luck and live it to the full. From now on the glass is always half-full, the sun is always about to shine, and anything is possible.

Be Yourself

This is the time for you to be yourself, be honest with what you want to be, what you want to do, and what you want to achieve. The next 20 years are not a rehearsal; your Third Act is when you leave your mark.

All clichés? Of course, but that’s the trouble with clichés, they’re usually true. Good luck in making these particular clichés come true again for you.

Peter Carvell

Dash out and buy it

"Older? Yes. Old? Never!" by Peter Carvell is published by Delancey Press at *£10.99. Available from Amazon; and www.delanceypress.co.uk

*Price correct at time of publishing Dec 2011.