A Note From Colleen

Hi, friend.

What’s the plan? That’s what I want to talk about in the Life Reimagined-Business Basics section below.  (I combined them this week because they go hand-in-hand.)

I find myself slightly stunned that I am only now, at nearly 57 years old,  wondering what I am going to do with my next 10, 20, or 30 years. That’s a long time to do some incredible things. 

Oh, the possibilities. 

It’s like a whole new phase of life I didn’t expect. I’m realizing having an online business is a great foundation to take advantage of this time: find purpose, fund adventures, keep the brain young; and, build community.

Thanks for being here.

Cheers,

Colleen Kochannek, Publisher

PS: I originally planned to discuss a ‘day in the life’ of an online business owner, but planning for the next several decades inspired me. I’ll give you the skinny on the day in my life in next week’s edition.

*This publication may include affiliate links and links to products I sell. If you click and buy, I may earn revenue and/or commission. 

BUSINESS BASICS | LIFE REIMAGINED

What’s The Actual Plan?

I’ve recently had a terrifying / exhilarating realization. I’ve got decades ahead of me (if the universe cooperates) that I haven’t necessarily planned for.

Society puts us in this box that we retire and then... fade off into the sunset? 

There are many aging discussions around health and longevity and menopause and medicare, but few conversations around what you do with all that time. We’re so much younger and fitter and adventurous than generations before. We don’t have to plan for frailty just yet.

Of course, money is an issue. Having enough savings to last until the end.

I definitely don’t have the funds put away to manage the decades of travel and adventuring and property buying that I have on my vision board.

I also don’t foresee ever being happy with just a life of ‘busy work’ or only leisure.  You know the golf on Monday and Thursday and Bridge on Wednesday kind of schedule. I want more and my peers do, too. (Note - I am not dissing these activities, I just don’t want them to be my entire life).

In all transparency I didn’t start my online business with the intention of it being the basis for my next chapter - because I hadn’t even considered that was something I needed to plan for - but it has become exactly this.

 The longer I am in the online space (and in a position to be my own boss and create a business that fits my lifestyle) the more I realize what an asset having a simple online business is - way beyond bolstering financial peace of mind.

Being an online business owner offers so many expansion possibilities and new angles for my current and future life:  

• Financial peace of mind. I have big plans and I need money to fund them. Can you say a month every winter in Palm Springs?

• Empowerment: I get to develop my voice and flex my skills and continually build confidence. I get to do things my way.

• Creativity: I get to be creative in a way I forgot was in me. 

• Keeps my world big. I’ve watched my mother’s world, and some older friends, shrink.I want to fight that shrinkage as long as humanly possible. I always want interesting and new things to talk about and be a part of. 

• Keeps me in the mix. Having a business enables me to be part of what is currently happening in our world - technology and the internet and all the opportunities these offer. 

• Keeps my brain young. Yes, the constant learning curves (while a total PITA) do keep my brain firing on most pistons on most days. Being in this space forces me to keep learning and figuring stuff out.

• I get to build something - and feel pride around the fact that I’ve built something impactful.  

• A reason to plan and look forward: My business is never 'done'. I am planning new programs and have new ideas I want to implement. It gives me a reason to look forward.

• Community:  I am meeting all sorts of people I would not have encountered otherwise. I find myself rubbing elbows with really cool people from all ages and walks of life. It’s always interesting.

• Events and travel opportunities: Conferences, retreats and masterminds.

I don’t have an EXACT vision for my future life. My plan is to keep on moving forward. Keep trying new things. Running an online business is the thread that is enabling me to do that. 

What about you? Do you have a plan for the next decades? Can an online business fill that role?  

[SPECIAL INVITATION]

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QUICK WINS

One thing I have gotten into the habit of doing is a bit of journaling in the morning, with my coffee. Some days I will write an entire page. Some days just one sentence. I think more than anything it’s the ritual of doing it that sets me up for a good day.

I’m not a habit-based kind of person, but I do like structure. 

I also find I get good ideas - for my business and personal life - while I am writing. I keep my phone close by so I can capture quick voice notes without interrupting my journaling for the day.

I don’t have a prompt for you. I simply sit down and just start free-writing whatever comes to mind. I haven’t even gone back to read them, but I’m on my second notebook now so the ritual must be doing something right.

Do you journal?

WTHWW - WHATEVER THE HECK WE WANT

A friend of mine introduced me to WildGrain, a small subscription-based bakery out of Boston. They ship fresh, ready to bake breads and croissants.

I’m hooked. 

The sourdough bread with sesame is yummo and the croissants… Oh, the croissants are otherworldly. They taste straight from Paris. Dunk ‘em in some coffee and it’s literally heaven.

What do you splurge on - just for you. To treat yourself?

LET’S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING

Hit REPLY to this email and let me know:

• Do you have a plan for the next decades? Can an online business fill that role?

• What do you splurge on - just for you. To treat yourself?

• Do you journal?

COMING NEXT WEEK

A day in the life of an online business owner. What my days, weeks and months look like.

The SUGGESTION BOX

Questions and suggestions for admin or the Ask-Me-Anything section. Simple Hit REPLY to this email or email us at: [email protected]