The Myth of Being Done:
How Reinvention After 60 Really Happens
Hello Fellow Travelers and Friends,
You may remember, this solo travel well for less theme started in 2021 when I walked away from my 30+ year career in fundraising. I didn’t know if I was retiring or taking a break. Well four years later – I guess it was a sabbatical, and I reinvented my life at 61 without a plan.
Thought I’d give you an update and why it’s been a little quiet around these parts.
Photo by Jessica Pons for AARP. I’ll be back in this pool August and September!
During the last four years, this blog and my YouTube channel is where I shared my tips and tricks, good, bad and ugly experiences about how I traveled on Social Security and small retirement fund.
Today I am here to share the latest reinvention of Where’s BabZ.
Maybe my second-act career move can be helpful or inspire you.
Because we can reinvent, pivot, try and fail all we want at 60+. We have the skills and experience to decide what’s good (and not working) for us. We can set our parameters, full or part-time, from home, an office or a cruise ship. We’ve learned and earned those skills. And probably some new ones.
While I still love traveling, the news and changes in DC made me think that my fundraising skills may be still be useful. You probably have skills that are needed full or part-time to add to your personal travel fund.
I thought with government budget cuts and programs defunded; nonprofits could use my experience. Some discrete calls to my network resulted in a consulting opportunity with a global nonprofit.
In March this year, working remotely from wherever, I raised $500,000 in six months. That’s pretty good in fundraising land.
Well that contract ended and another started in August. So far, I’ve raised $350,000.
Ok this is NOT ALL ABOUT the money – but as a fundraiser that is how we are evaluated. BUT I am a relationship fundraisers. And for those of you who I have met, you know I am a people person. The solo travel works for me because I find new people and friends all the time. These work from anywhere gigs allows me to form relationships with colleagues who teach me new things all the time. And work with donors who share their philanthropic passions or giving strategies. I think I am successful because I see myself as a catalyst, bringing donor interests with an organization strategic plan and mission.
You know that saying, if you love what you do, it isn’t a job? I had loved my work before Covid, but it put a stress on the nonprofit sector and with leaders unprepared to lead during a crisis. I couldn’t help them help themselves – so I left.
Four years later coming back to my passion has been wonderful.
Coming down the Andes in Chile from the Portillo Ski Resort.
Some say our sixth decade is our best.
I say we have less years ahead than behind,
so make every day your best day.
We all have skills, long time buried or new ones. We can find inspiration while we set our boundaries, part or full-time, remote or office, learning or teaching a new skill.
What’s calling you? Adding money to your travel fund? Fixing the house to sell? Taking the grands on a vacation? Planning your trip of a lifetime? Let me know in comments, what’s inspiring you or holding you back from your next move?
In part 2, I’ll share my money, mindset and how I make change for myself and others sometimes fast sometimes slow.
