Every few years or so, I engage in some form of creative exercise to refresh and renew my business (and myself in it).
I knew it was time to redo my website when I didn’t feel comfortable sending potential clients to it because it looked out-of-date and cluttered.
The idea of getting started on a new site was exciting to me, so I was surprised that it led to a sleepless night of thrashing and telling myself I was crazy to be reshaping my business identity at an age when most people have already retired.
This sudden attack of self-inflicted ageism was particularly disconcerting because most of the time I like my age (I’ll be 70 in November). I rarely hear myself saying, “I’m too old for …” (except in-line skating, which I ruled out after I was diagnosed with osteoporosis).
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” asked Satchel Paige, who didn’t pitch in the major leagues until he was 42 years old.
Fortunately, my slump didn’t last too long. A quote from a right-handed pitcher set me straight, like a base hit up the middle.
Satchel Paige’s outstanding control and trifecta of talent, charisma and showmanship made him a legend in the Negro Leagues. His skills on the mound and enthusiasm for the game were so effective at filling ballparks, even in the darkest days of the Depression, that he was often loaned out to struggling teams who needed a quick boost.
He did the same for me the morning after my sleepless night when I came across a rubber stamp I had bought because I liked the question embossed on it:
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” asked Satchel Paige, who didn’t pitch in the major leagues until he was 42 years old.
As I sat at my great grandmother’s desk, holding the stamp in my hand while I contemplated my answer, all the reasons in favor of bringing my professional self up-to-date came back to me.
You’re never to old to be intentional about how you live your life.
A successful transition to a new beginning requires consciously deciding what to carry forward and what to leave behind.
The reward for going through the hard, messy and painful work of recreating yourself is personal renewal and growth.
Thank you, Satchel.
P.S. It’s now two weeks later and the new site is done! Check it out and let me know what you think.
As I scan through its pages, comparing them to the old site, I feel as if I’d cleaned out an attic that had accumulated so much stuff I could no longer readily lay my hands on what was valuable.
Of course I don’t know yet if anyone else will like it as much as I do, but that concern doesn’t enter my thoughts.
Like an artist, I’ve hung my show the night before the opening, and it’s late and I’m tired, but I pause at the door to slowly look around the room, and then quietly whisper, “I like it” before I turn off the light.
New site looks amazing! As they say, “YOU GO GIRL!”
I love the Satchel Paige quote & use it all the time. Nice way to push the new site. David
Nicely done, Bev – the new blog post and the website! Congrads on your accomplishment. Oh, and thanks for the reminder that we only have 2 choices with age – have one or not!
Bev, your new site is a beautiful tribute to your work, clients, and readers. Kudos for the lean & succinct text and elegant design! Can only imagine the work that went into such economy of language. I love this post — using Satchel’s question, I’m about the age of my daughters. Hmmm.
How would I be? I guess I would be around 10 years old, an old 10. You know the Laurie Anderson quote: “I am either 10 five year olds, or 5 ten year olds.”? I don’t feel old except for when I get up in the morning and try to walk downstairs.
The reason I value your perspective (and love your website) is the freshness, honesty and directness you bring to your work. I rarely sign up for, or rarely read blog postings, and I manage to read nearly all of yours. And they bring to me a sense of engagement and discovery that feeds me. It is a nearly impossible world we live in, and we need all the help we can get!
I love the new look and the new site! Wow. I can’t really remember a lot about how the old site looked since I wasn’t that familiar with it but I love the look of the new blog and I did browse the site—lovely. I like the clean, streamlined look and even the new type font. It’s great and even more, I like the message about aging and transition and new beginnings at any age. Fabulous! So, congratulations and happy sailing onward.
Love the blog post, and new, fresh website. Perfect timing for me on both of these as my website sits “dead” and I have been trying for two years to decide its new direction. Feeling inspired to look at it (and my life in general) by your most recent post. Thanks.
Nice job on the website. You are truly an inspiration to me. If you can do it, so can I. Thank you for being both a mentor and friend to me all these years – now to get you on the back of that motorcycle!
I love your site, Beverly….it’s thoughtfulness comes shining through your writing. Well done!!!!