Reinventers need hope, inspiration, and ‘how’.

As for the ‘how’, I’ll be creating some practical tips, techniques, and strategies for reinventers in future blog posts. Wisdom, and the transformation that comes from it, can use some practical assistance to give it ‘legs’, to make it real.

But, equally, we need ideas and hope. Inspiring examples of reinventions keep us all going, especially when we hit a skid or a stall in our reinventer’s journey.

Susan Crandell belongs in our Reinventer’s Hall of Fame.

Susan was the top editor for More magazine when she reinvented her life and career. Not only did she reinvent herself, but she went on to interview 45 other reinventers and write their stories, which she compiled into a book that was published last month. If you are a reinventer or a reinventer wannabe, buy this book: Thinking About Tomorrow: Reinventing Yourself at Midlife, by Susan Crandell, 2007.

These are inspiring real-life stories of reinventers and the choices they made to reinvent life, work, or both.

This is the kind of evidence that we all need to help us convince ourselves that (a) we really didn’t make the biggest mistake of our lives to date when we decided to reinvent, (b) it is possible to reinvent and remain sane, and (c) we truly can reclaim a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment and adventure to boot.

Very useful to know.

These reinventions often took surprising turns, which is also reassuring. We start off with our compass, our inner guidance, but we don’t have a map. We create the map as we go along, because it is uniquely ours.

Really, Susan and all 45 reinventers in her book belong in our Reinventer’s Hall of Fame, because of their vision, faith, commitment, determination and sheer guts to go after what they really want, whole-heartedly.

We appreciate them for shining a light on the path.

Of course, their ‘maps’ won’t be your map, but that doesn’t take anything away from the value of these stories to inspire us and give us all hope.

Personal note to Susan: I was inspired to create this blog after I read your article in More magazine, 10 Things to Know Before You Change Your Life . Thank you, Susan. In that article she said: “Reinvention isn’t a trend, it’s a revolution.” We can all take heart from that.

START HERE:
Action: Check out these resources from Susan Crandell:

• Susan’s book: Thinking About Tomorrow: Reinventing Yourself at Midlife
• Susan’s article in More magazine: Reinventing Your Life
• Susan’s article in More magazine: 10 Things to Know Before You Change Your Life
• Susan’s website: www.susancrandell.com (She posts updates from the reinventers who are in her book.)

Insight:
• Which stories appeal to you most?
• What does this tell you about what you want in your own reinvention?

Filed under: Resources on February 13th, 2007