Are We on The Cusp of a New Market? THE BORED vs THE EMPOWERED: IS TIME TO REDEFINE? Chronological Age vs Biological Age

When ability and time are present without an outlet for activity, young people say they are bored.  What is the term for the experienced professional with the skills, desire, and the empowerment to engage?

“Sandwich” implies there is a top, a bottom, and a middle.  It could also imply there are a beginning, middle, and an end.  For the purpose of this blog, the implication is there are a beginning, middle, and an end to life, aging, and engagement in life.

I have been fortunate to have lived and am living a long and healthy life.  Having entered the workplace at the radical beginning of the integration of women and ethnic minorities into the mainstream of Corporate America, I was considered both (they called it a twofer).  This was a difficult transition and it continues today.  

Since I was both, I took nothing for granted.  I observed and was engaged in everything impacting my performance.  A combination of fascination, survival, and the pure desire to succeed made every experience a learning experience.

From the room-sized computer to the manual typewriter to the emergence of the ever emerging I-pad, I have experienced it all.  Things that were a challenge to me and others in my age group as a functional unit of the workplace are now commonplace for the existing generation.  For instance, correcting an “error” while typing required skill and making a telephone call required a specific location.  Not any more.  Yes, it is still necessary to correct errors and telephone calls are imperative; however, the struggle is a distant memory.  I could go on an on but I want.  I am more interested in indulging into “What’s next for me?”

The reality is that our world is an age and technology focused environment.  Traditionally, age, especially youth and the capability of performance; implied energy and wit.  Today, it simply means “preference” by some pre-conceived notion generated by the emerging environment. 

THE AGE FACTOR

The definition of age could be driven by technology, physical appearance, or even personal boundaries.  Since many boundaries are disappearing…anything is possible.

There are those who say age is just a number and I concur; however, when that number determines your engagement, it must be examined.  There is our chronological age (when you were born) and there is our biological age (how you have taken care of yourself since your were born).  Many times wisdom hangs in the balance for better or for worse.

What happens when your biological age is incongruent with the expectations of those using chronological age as a gauge?  What happens when the reality of biological age is actually more sensible than chronological age since it is at this point; wisdom and youth remain in the same person?  That is exactly what is happening to the “Sandwich Generation.”

Generated by a standard created by Hollywood, many who are able, willing, and able to make significant contributions within an emerging marketplace are being left out of an equation during a time when every mind is needed.

I find myself wondering what happens when you are too young to quit and to old to be taken seriously?  Is this the time when new trends emerge?  Is this the time when one takes the “bull” by the horn and initiate a new arena?  Could we be on the cusp of a new market?  The optimism, confidence and expectations are present.  Consider how “Investopedia” explains 'Bull Market.'

Investopedia explains 'Bull Market'

Bull markets are characterized by optimism, investor confidence and expectations that strong results will continue. It's difficult to predict consistently when the trends in the market will change. Part of the difficulty is that psychological effects and speculation may sometimes play a large role in the markets.

The use of "bull" and "bear" to describe markets comes from the way the animals attack their opponents. A bull thrusts its horns up into the air while a bear swipes its paws down. These actions are metaphors for the movement of a market. If the trend is up, it's a bull market. If the trend is down, it's a bear market.

Source:  http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bullmarket.asp

THE BORED vs EMPOWERED

When ability and time are present without an outlet for activity, young people say they are bored.  What is the term for the experienced with the skills, desire, and the empowerment to engage?

It is my belief that the “trend is up.”  It is time to redefine….

What do you think?