Summary
Two former “suits” take to the road in search of meaningful second acts and find inspiration in the stories of other baby boomers who changed lanes and renewed their lives. The book provides a compass to help readers
navigate their own midlife journeys, posing questions and charting
roadmaps to guide their way. The website, www.aguidetochanginglanes.com, is a complementary vehicle for readers to get the latest directions on changing lanes.
Changing Lanes uses music lyrics from the 60s and 70s to evoke the
spirit of a gal-pal road trip of discovery. Kind of like Thelma and Louise
but without the gory ending and sadly, without Brad Pitt. Each chapter
presents a road map for exploring a key issue:
- Get The First Pickle Out Of The Jar
Getting started is the hardest step. Having a singular passion is not a
prerequisite to changing lanes (despite what the gurus tell you). What is
required is a quiet mind to identify your options and evaluate them with
honesty.
- Turn Off The Auto-Pilot
You may be stubbornly clinging to an old persona that has served you well
in the past, but no longer feels authentic to you. There are several
techniques for reintroducing yourself to the person you really are inside.
- Dump The Duty Demon
An overblown sense of duty to family or colleagues can override your
personal quest for a more satisfying life. Give yourself the time, energy,
and permission to commit to this journey.
- Check The Color Of Your Handcuffs
Avoiding the money issue will only limit your options. This barrier is
often more emotional than real. Confront it and the psychological net you
didn’t see before will suddenly appear.
- Compose A New Business Card
Don’t pretend that you don’t care what other people think. It’s natural to
suffer anxiety attacks about the loss of status as a “player” in the
community. Find meaningful work to mark with your personal imprint and
change the way you keep score.
- It’s Just Stuff
If you hunger for a simpler life, you must be willing to get rid of all
the stuff that clutters up your mental or physical space. The important
thing is to find an environment and lifestyle that nurtures you.
- Pay It Forward
Hand-wringing about the world’s ills will not do the trick. Giving back is
incredibly rewarding, provided you can make a substantive and lasting
impact.
- It’s The Journey
If you’re holding back for fear of making a mess of things, remember
nothing is forever. You can always retrace your steps and move onto
another path. Don’t expect to complete the trip by a certain deadline. The
journey itself might be where your passion lies.
About The Authors
Jane Jelenko was the first woman partner in the consulting arm of KPMG,
the international professional services firm, where she served for
twenty-five years. She was the national industry director for the banking
and finance group—a billion dollar revenue business—and served on the firm’s
board of directors. Often on the leading edge for women in her profession,
Jane retired in 2003 and again found herself leading the charge on the
process of Changing Lanes. She serves on several corporate and community
boards including Countrywide Bank, SunAmerica Mutual Funds, the L.A. Area
Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Performing Arts Center. She is a
writer, student, wife, mother, step-mom and step-grandmother, constantly
striving to compose a life of balance and fulfillment.
Susan Marshall had a three-decade career spanning multiple industries. She left AT&T Broadband when she was senior vice president of advanced services—after spearheading the introduction of broadband Internet services in the cable industry, now a multi-billion dollar business. When her division was acquired, she retired from the so-called “cowboy” industry, having achieved recognition in the technology sector as Woman of the Year—coined especially for her since historically the award had only been given to men—and as one of the cable industry’s 2002 Wonder Women. As the inventor of several patents, Susan is now reinventing herself as the co-author of Changing Lanes. In addition to writing, she sits on two community boards, volunteers regularly, plays competitive bridge, dotes on her nieces, nephew, and step-daughters—and enjoys the national forest that sits in her backyard.
