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About Alan Kearns
Jobtrekker.ca job expert Alan Kearns is nationally known as Canada's Career Coach. He's the founder of CareerJoy (CareerJoy.com), and is recognized as one of Canada's foremost expert on all things related to careers. Alan has more than 17 years experience coaching people through successful career changes. He was voted one of Canada's Top 40 entrepreneurs under the age of 40, speaks regularly on CBC radio, as well as Chapters. He has been featured in Venture, CP24, The National Post and The Globe and Mail and is also the career expert for WorkCabin.ca, Workopolis.com and CharityVillage.com

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Are you too old to change career directions?

Wednesday, 09 December 2009

I am often asked when is it too late to change your career direction? My answer: that depends on how old you are. Now I don't mean biologically, I mean in your own mind. This week's podcast is with Virgil Coffman who will turn 102 in January. He just picked up his 2010 426 hp Camaro - Transformers edition (bright yellow). I interviewed Virgil and Scott Turner, the Sales Manager of Miles Chevrolet, where he purchased his new car. Virgil's story inspired Scott's team, his town, and even General Motors. This past week, Virgil was invited to GM's headquarters for a special reception with Ed Welburn, Vice President of Global Design for General Motors. Here are some interesting facts: 1907 Virgil Coffman was born.
1911 The company Chevrolet was born.
1914 World War I
1929 Great Depression
1939 World War II
1953 Colour television introduced.
1963 John F Kennedy assassinated.
1964 Tim Horton’s is incorporated.
1966 The Chevrolet Camaro was first introduced into the market (Virgil was 59 years-young).
1967 Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup.
1969 Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon.
1983 Cellular phone introduced.
1993 Internet is launched to the public.
1998 Google is incorporated.
1999 Eaton’s declares bankruptcy.
2009 GM declares bankruptcy.
2009 Virgil purchases his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

In the past 101 years Virgil has lived through a lot of change. Why do some individuals and companies thrive when others do not? Both companies and individuals need to understand how to manage their mindset about dealing with change. Scott shared that one of Virgil's key attributes is his optimism. In fact, when asked how long he would keep the car Virgil shared, "If I keep that 10 or 12 years, it will be worth about $100,000.”

I learned 6 key things from Virgil about change.

   1. Change is here to stay.
   2. Have a goal.
   3. Stay positive and busy.
   4. You are only as old (or young) as you think you are.
   5. Life is long and life is short.
   6. Incorporate fun in your life.

What will you be driving or doing, at 102 years of age? Virgil proves to people like you and I and to Fortune 500 companies that it is never ever too late to change, it may be more complex, but never too late.

This week, if you find yourself thinking you are too old, too tired, too young, too... think WWVD - what would Virgil do?

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A spring chicken, along the road with you!
Alan

Alan Kearns, Canada's Career Coach, is the founder of CareerJoy: The Career Coaching Company. He is one of Canada's foremost experts on all things relating to careers. Alan has more than 17 years of experience coaching professionals with successful career decisions. Alan was voted one of the Top 40 entrepreneurs under the age of 40 and is the author of Get the Right Job.