Episode 069: Authentically Barbara Waxman: In Conversation on Coaching, Life Stages, and Gerontology

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In general, we've added about 30 years to our life expectancy, and our mindsets tend to think, Oh, I'm going to be older, longer. We tack those on to the end. But that is not how we experience the added years and decades in our life. What's happened is the middle part of life has expanded,” explains Barbara Waxman, coach, life stage expert, gerontologist, and author. Gerontology is the study of adult development and aging. And today, Barbara talks about middlescence and the five rules for authenticity. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The human life expectancy has increased by about 30 years overall and it is time to change the collective mindset that has typically viewed aging in a negative light. Instead of worrying about the myth of the midlife crisis or planning for retirement at 65, it is time to shift toward planning for how you can maintain your health and what career paths you can take to earn money as an older adult. Middlescence is a life stage that is often overlooked but that comes with many changes, both internal and external, and can be a great time to re-evaluate your life. It is never too late to figure out who you want to be when you grow up and start living authentically. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To be an authentic leader you must know your own story. When you are clear on who you are and how you came to be, you can really take ownership of that story of your life. Instead of viewing middle or old age as the end of the road, start to view it as the first step of a new journey and focus on how you are going to take those next steps forward. This will help you to be the most authentic leader you can be. </span></p> <p><strong>Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Being authentic is actually taking the time to know your own story.” (5:43-5:48 | Barbara)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In general, we've added about 30 years to our life expectancy, and our mindsets tend to think, ‘Oh, I'm going t