We are Supposed To Be Older and Wiser – Are we really?

As boomer entrepreneurs, we are thought to be not only a tad bit older, but along with that “wiser” as well.  That really got me thinking.  Am I?  Am I smarter today than I was years ago when I began my business and started my family?  I would love to say a YES -  no doubt in all areas of my life.  I’m so much wiser.  I’ve aced it all, etc.  But  … that just wouldn’t be true.  I do think in some areas, I am doing so much better, but in other areas, not so much.

For example, in business I’m still trying to get down the collecting of email addresses and sending out newsletters regularly. It occurred to me recently, if I had been collecting these over my 25 years in business all those emails I received, questions on starting a business, orders for my books, lists from teleseminars I gave or was a guest at, etc., my list could easily top 5 figures.  However, I didn’t do that.  I never fully converted those that came to my site into my newsletter.  I still today don’t have it down pat today.  Now how costly is that .. HUGE! How do I know?  Well every time I send out a newsletter I see results.  Either a few sign up for my coaching services, buy one of my books, or have me do their PR.  Now think about if my list was in the 5 figures.  Ouch .. like I said, huge.  For me, that’s something I’m working on.  For those who are just starting their business or have a lot more years of being an entrepreneur ahead of you, it’s your wake-up call.  Start now and do it right.  It’s that one thing that will make you a success today and for years to come.

One area I know I am wiser in is PR and marketing.  Why?  Because I never stop learning.  Even now I’m attending two different PR summits. I’m listening to the recordings while I answer email or while I do my exercises in the morning.  I’m taking lots of notes.  Why does this help?  Because there is always a way to do it better and there’s always experts out there that will share with me how that is.  Why not take advantage of it.

With my family, I do think I’m wiser too.  I’ve learned to pick my battles and I’ve learned to live by the rule, “how important is it?”  I’ve also learned to enjoy the moments more.  Just one simple thing like turning off your computer and going for an evening walk with your kids makes life so much better.

So, I might be older and a little wiser, but fortunate enough to know that life and business is what you make it and for me, I want a stress-free happy life that I can enjoy with my family and be proud of.

Until next time,

Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and co-author of So You Want to be a Work-at-Home Mom, a Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business