Hello {!firstname}:

Yes, I've known for over a year that I'm going to Costa Rica on March 20th. And, yes, I've thought about getting in shape and dropping a few pounds (okay, more than a few) before this fabulous trip. But, it wasn't until five days ago that I started walking every day and eating smaller portions of better food. I'm feeling 400% better already, but alas, it's too late to be able to fit into my sexy bathing suit.

That leaves the really ugly suit that fits, but makes me look like somebody's grandmother. Oh wait…I am somebody's grandmother!  I did give some serious thought to "accidentally" leaving the suit at home. Then, I asked the participants to think about what they most need to let go of to make their time away truly remarkable. Honestly, what would make this trip most remarkable for me is to let go the shame I feel about my body, put on the grandmother bathing suit and spend as much time as I can in water -- from hot tubs and waterfalls to swimming pools and the bright blue-green Caribbean.  And, strut my stuff as my friend Karin recommends.

So, I've decided to leave my shame at home, not give a #@&$ what I (or anyone else) thinks about me, and really enjoy myself! Oh boy, I'm feeling some "adjada". Maybe you could send lots of positive energy so I don't chicken out. ☺

To my shamelessness and your endless possibilities!

Lin Schreiber, Retirement Revolutionary

What if you could spend a weekend with 12 Encore Career experts, best-selling authors and world-renowned speakers learning how to discover, plan for, and move into your Encore Career -- without having to leave home -- and at no cost to you? Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event coming up April 24-25!

The Six Qualities of Successful Social Entrepreneurs
by Lin Schreiber, Retirement Coach

So what exactly is a social entrepreneur?  According to Ashoka.org, social entrepreneurs are individuals who come up with innovative solutions to society's most pressing problems.  I like to think of them as, first, seeing the places in their community, country or on the planet where people are falling through the cracks and systems are not working, then, coming up with creative new systems and models that really make a difference in people's lives

Over the past month, I've had the great privilege of interviewing five extraordinary social entrepreneurs on my radio show -- each a 2008 or 2009 Purpose Prize winner.  The Purpose Prize is the brain child of Civic Ventures, a San Francisco-based think tank, which awards ten prizes every year to social innovators over the age of 60.

Nasrine Gross grew up in Afghanistan at a time when girls still went to school, and her mother was a member of parliament.  Today, 85% of the population is illiterate and women need their husband's permission for just about everything. So, Nasrine created a literacy program for couples, and is changing the face of Afghanistan's future through her organization, Kabultec Inc.

The devastating loss of Liz and Steve Alderman's 25-year-old son, Peter, in the Twin Towers on 9/11 changed, as Steve says, the trajectory of their lives forever.  Inspired by a Nightline story on the one billion people on the planet who have directly experienced torture, terrorism, or mass violence, Liz and Steve are honoring their son by becoming a force for global good.  Today, the Peter C. Alderman Foundation trains indigenous mental health care professionals and builds mental health clinics in post-conflict countries around the world.

Growing up homeless with a "big mouth and a bad attitude" (her words), Ann Higdon's life was changed by one teacher's confidence in her. When she realized that in the state of Ohio once you've dropped out of school you cannot return to get your diploma, Ann started Improved Solutions for Urban Systems (ISUS) which trains 16-22 year olds in construction, technology, manufacturing and health care with a combination of schooling, community service and hands-on training. The three charter schools ISUS runs are consistently ranked at the top of Ohio's schools, and ISUS students are reviving entire neighborhoods.

Finally, Barbara Cervone was fed up with the way youth are portrayed in our culture, so she created What Kids Can Do, Inc. and gives voice to this underutilized resource.  With a 40-year background in education, Barbara knew first-hand that kids didn't want to be seen as part of the problem, they wanted to be a part of the solution.  Through the use of audio, video, books, and the internet, What Kids Can Do is re-shaping communities and tapping this rich resource.

Are you wondering if you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? Here are the qualities that all five social innovators have.  They:

• Are highly innovative.  Well, of course, they are.  But what's interesting is that out-of-the-box, creative thinking is a natural for them.  They're always searching for new ways of doing things, and when something fails they…
   
• Are persistent.  They keep trying until it works.  And, they never let road blocks, obstacles, or naysayers deter them. It's their can-do attitude that keeps them moving forward -- no matter what.
   
• Have found a cause that inspires them.  It might seem obvious, but each is fully committed to and believes in what they're doing.  They may come at it from different experiences (Ann and Nasrine's childhood, Barbara's career, and Liz and Steve's personal tragedy, but each is passionate about their cause.)
   
• Have boundless energy.  Barbara describes it best when she says that while many of her friends are slowing down at this stage, she has more energy than she's ever had before, and often feels like a teenager.  I'm not sure if the work creates the energy or the energy keeps the work going.  Probably a bit of both!
   
• Are exceptionally collaborative.  In every case, these social innovators are masters of seeking out partnerships that support the work they're doing, help spread the work, and make it sustainable.
   
• Have a positive vision of the future.  There's not a gloomy Gus in this bunch.  No matter how daunting the social problem (85% illiteracy in Afghanistan, one billion victims of mass violence) that some might call "hopeless", they see the possibility and the potential for change and are hopeful and optimistic about the future.

These self-described “ordinary” people are doing the truly extraordinary in their Encore Careers. And, I’m not sure if this is a requirement to be a successful social entrepreneur, but Nasrine, Liz, Steve, Ann and Barbara are – without exception – five of the most gracious, humble, and delightful people I’ve ever had the honor to meet. 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you keep it intact and include this blurb with it:  Encore Career Coach Lin Schreiber, author of the popular ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement," by designing a new encore life that includes a fulfilling encore career. To claim your free Encore Career Starter Kit, visit her site at http://www.EncoreCareerStarterKit.com.

Having trouble getting or staying motivated in your work -- or life? Daniel Pink's newest book, Drive, will turn your thinking around about what does (and doesn't) motivate you. While it's written for businesses, there's plenty of good stuff for individuals including how to get and stay motivated for, yes, exercising!

Coming up, the last in our terrific 5-part series shining the light on social innovators over age 60, and a Special Encore Presentation while I'm in Costa Rica:

March 16: Mentoring New Americans to Succeed with Michele McRae

March 23: Encore Presentation of Finding Work that (Finally) Matters with Marci Alboher

Both shows air at 11:00 Eastern.

"Am I going to let what is going on in the world out there determine who I am and what I do? Or am I going to let what's going on inside me, in terms of my enthusiasms, my interest, my skills, my values, and my beliefs, determine who I am and what I do?"

~ Richard Nelson Bolles

Lin Schreiber, PCC, loves helping self-reliant 50- to 60-something women reinvent themselves in meaningful encore careers in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement".

She is a sought after speaker and through her business, Revolutionize Retirement(TM), she delivers comprehensive coaching programs to individuals over the phone, and to groups at her live events at Kripalu Yoga & Health Center. Combining her contagious enthusiasm, non-stop energy, and passion for her subject, Lin creates a fun, dynamic learning environment that energizes and inspires her audiences and her clients.

Founder of www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com, Lin is featured on the PBS series Boomers: Redefining Life After Fifty(TM), is author of The ABC's of Retiring Retirement, and hosts the weekly, one-hour live internet talk radio show, The WOW Zone! on Voice America. www.TheWowZoneRadioShow.com.

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