Forward From 50

I finished a book today that was really profound in opening my eyes. It convinced me of the necessity to embrace those core values which make me unique by giving me superpowers to pursue a specific purpose.

Brant Menswar’s book, “Black Sheep: Unleash the Extraordinary, Awe-Inspiring, Undiscovered You” would be a wonderful starting point for anyone questioning what they can do after turning 50.

It will help you zero in on those things that fire you up to pursue something that would be perfectly in line with your core values.

Brant was correct in noting that many people have been told how important it is to begin with their “why” or answering why something is important to them. They’ve been told that when you know your “why,” the “what” and “how” will be more easily identifiable.

The problem is that the why for wanting to do something can be misleading. Most of us have dozens of things we consider to be important in our lives.

In reality, there are only about five or six values that truly define who we are in that they motivate us in a specific course of action.

I know I have “followed my why” multiple times, only to be sadly disappointed to discover I was bored or ineffective in what I was doing. There was no real change to my life or my career. It was super frustrating.

In his book, Brant said it is far more important to examine your non-negotiable core values – those things for which you will never compromise. They form the foundation of who you are as a person, and it includes traits that can’t be altered or changed, even if you tried.

The traits are almost baked in to your DNA. Brant calls them your “black sheep.”

A black sheep stands out in a field. More importantly, black wool can never be dyed. It is the most authentic part of ourselves.

Yet, when you find those core “black sheep values,” and build your life around them, then amazing things can happen. You stop pretending to be someone you are not, and live a 100% authentic life.

But, finding those core values can be difficult to do. It often takes a lot of personal reflection and honesty to select between those values you aspire to vs. those which truly make up the core of your being.

Brant offers to guide people through a process to get them thinking about their core black sheep values via a free online assessment tool.

It guides you through identifying all those values that are important to you. From there, he guides you through a process to zero in on those five or six truly core values that create what Brant calls a “one of a kind combination that makes you distinct from everyone else on the planet.”

Once you know those core values, you need to confirm that they are uniquely yours and not what you or other people aspire you to be. It’s a tough, but fulfilling process.

You can get started today by visiting https://www.brantmenswar.com/valuesassessment.

My final six black sheep values included: creativity, freedom, originality, faith and knowledge. I am going to retake the test again this weekend to see if I wind up with the same results.

Knowing them is already providing insight into why things have fizzled out in my past. Take jobs for example. I loved the work for a short time because they used my natural talent. But, I quickly got bored because freedom and originality do not fit well with corporate culture today.

Even if you think you know what your core values may be, I encourage you to take the assessment anyway. It’s free, and will either confirm what you’ve suspected all along, or open your eyes to why things haven’t been working out as you had hoped.

It was three years ago today, around 1 p.m. Arizona time, that the idea of Forward From 50 was born. So, I guess that means the platform has grown out of its “terrible twos” and can enter the realm of being a stubborn “threenager.”

The idea came out of the blue while talking with a trusted mentor, Vincent Pugliese, after I had been struggling to find purpose in my life. It was Vincent who suggested there were many seasoned citizens over 50 who were struggling with a sense of purpose.

Perhaps they felt pushed aside from jobs they loved, had their lives shaken by an unfortunate event, or simply wondered to themselves, “There has got to be more to life than what I’m living.” Without a purpose to renew their minds and spirits, they were dying a slow death by a million meaningless distractions.

In the past three years, I have learned a lot about purpose. For example, men who retire without a sense of purpose are often dead within three years. It’s biblical. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV)

In one of my favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption, the main character, Andy Dufresne, tells a fellow inmate, “It comes down to a simple choice; either get busy living, or get busy dying.” That’s a powerful message for every seasoned citizen to contemplate.

For Andy, the vision of getting out of prison and spending the rest of his life on the shores of the Pacific Ocean held great appeal. Many people dream of travel, but Andy’s vision extended beyond going to a nice place to relax. His vision had purpose.

Of course, Andy wanted to be on the perfect beach. But, he also wanted to do something, which was to find a beat up boat and make it like new. It would be an ideal hobby for a perfect place to live.

Still, Andy’s vision went even further. It sought to serve others. By fixing up his boat, Andy envisioned taking people charter fishing on the ocean.

I’m convinced a hobby isn’t strong enough to motivate people into long-term action. Hobbies are great for relaxation and distractions. However, a true sense of purpose must always involve serving others in some way.

For me, Forward From 50 came at just the right time. After my business was forced to close, I languished without purpose for several years. Trapped in a routine of boredom, I spent my days in trivial pursuits. Nothing meaningful was ever accomplished. I lacked a reason to get out of bed, and the energy to do anything worthwhile.

Forward From 50 changed my life. It introduced me to dozens of adventurous go-getters, or people with purpose, who were engaged in activities often vastly different from their original careers. They were trying new things and putting their natural talents, learned skills and unique life experiences to work making a difference in the lives of others.

By sharing their stories, it’s my hope that it inspires other seasoned citizens to realize as long as they have breath in their lungs, there is purpose to their lives. It doesn’t have to be grand or world-changing.

Simply investing your time to improve someone else’s situation is tremendously rewarding, even if you don’t get paid to do so. It’s what makes living fun, exciting and challenging.

One of my favorite podcasters, Nick Loper, the host of The Side Hustle Show, has a wise saying. He tells his listeners all the time that what you do from 9 to 5 makes you a living, but what you do from 5 to 9 gives you life. That can be applied to seasoned citizens, too.

What you did before turning 50 made a living, but what you do after that milestone birthday gives you a life.

So, as I blow out the candles on the cake to celebrate Forward From 50’s third birthday, my wish is that everyone reading this finds life brimming with purpose and abundance.

In John 10:10, Jesus noted that Satan “comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” They world repeatedly tells you that you’re too old and are no longer relevant. That is an outright lie.

If you need help getting on the road to renewed purpose, I’m happy to brainstorm some ideas with you, just as Vincent did with me three years ago today. Just drop me a line to get the ball rolling.

When Wyatt Timmins turned 50, he planned to continue serving in pastoral ministry. But, he had a deep yearning to return to music as a way where he could combine singing with being a pastor.

Here are my key takeaways from my interview with Wyatt:

1. When you have an aptitude for something and sense you're being called by God to go in that direction, then don't fight it. You were created for that purpose.

2. The road to your destiny can be long and winding, but for a reason. God is preparing you every step of the way to walk into your destiny.

3. When you feel disappointed that God hasn't opened a door you hoped he would, it could be that God has something even bigger in store for you.

4. You were created for a time such as this. Had Wyatt been born 50 years earlier, he never would have had the impact he did on the lives of truck drivers.

5. “God will minister to us through anybody,” said Wyatt. “If God can use a hippie like Lonnie Frisbee to reach thousands of people for his kingdom, God can use anybody on the planet.”

6. When you are interested enough in something, you will self-teach yourself to learn the technology.

7. “Most of us have hopes, dreams, desires and a passion within us, and it’s usually a journey to get there,” said Wyatt. “We just need to trust that God has a plan and his timing is perfect.”

8. It is vitally important that people over 50 put their natural skills and learned talents to work serving others. There are many opportunities for you to serve in a capacity that utilizes both.

You can read my full Forward From 50 interview with Wyatt Timmins at:

https://forwardfrom50.com/wyatt-timmins-shares-his-faith-in-words-and-music/