Hello , Breaking Out Hazel Edwards was determined to aspire to something as unconventional and creative as "author." She defied norms to craft her extraordinary, multi-decade career as a renowned "authorpreneur." Life-Changing Mentorship Even before the influential male mentors she encountered later in life, Hazel Edwards' father was her first mentor. This unorthodox figure defied the gender norms of the time by encouraging her intellectual curiosity and supporting her ambitions beyond the limited opportunities typically afforded to girls in their small country towns. While mentors of any gender were harder for women to find in the 1960s and 70s, supportive men like her unorthodox father, her husband, and a former colleague emboldened her to continuously pursue her dreams, defying era-specific gender norms and limitations. Today, there are more opportunities for senior female professionals to provide invaluable guidance by generously sharing knowledge through networks, books, coaching, podcasts, etc., contrasting the mentor scarcity of the past. The Enduring Art of Storytelling "It's much harder to write simply about complex ideas than the other way around," she explains. Edwards believes the test of a great story is whether it survives over time by having essential ingredients like compassion, humour and the ability to make people think deeply. She says, "A book belongs to the reader or the audience; it's not mine anymore once it's out there." Hazelnuts Hazel's fearless exploration of diverse writing genres has spanned over 200 published works. Her extraordinary legacy profoundly demonstrates what can be achieved when youthful creative ambitions are nurtured and tenaciously pursued, no matter how unconventional or unlikely they may seem amidst societal limitations. A true "wisepreneur," Hazel Edwards has continuously reinvented herself while staying true to her aspiration, taking new risks, and embracing lifelong learning at every stage. Now, she's nurturing the next generation as an impactful mentor. Her indelible mark endures as an "authorpreneur" willing to blaze new trails to share meaningful stories with the world. Something to think about In The Longevity Imperative, 2024, Andrew Scott argues that the longer we sustain health, productivity, and engagement in the later decades, the more options become available. His prescription?
A longer horizon allows you to explore different paths rather than stick to a rigid plan. Realistically, you may still have many productive years ahead regardless of age. So why not consider transitioning toward something that matters to you? Reimagining your path unlocks a "longevity dividend" of continual growth and evolution, just like Hazel Edwards. . Scott, the co-author of The 100-Year Life, suggests that our bonus decades offer immense potential for those daring enough to author their own non-traditional life stories. I found the 100-Year Life Books to be better than this one. Coming up on the Wisepreneurs Podcast—Marketing Mastery for Independent Pros The next four episodes examine the fundamental marketing strategies and tactics for independent professionals to attract their ideal clients.
If you want to level up your marketing game, this comprehensive four-part series will provide a wealth of practical, expert-led strategies to help you survive, grow and thrive. Stay curious, stay healthy, and keep thriving Nigel Rawlins Check out all the Wisepreneurs Podcasts |
The Dream That Wouldn't Die: Hazel Edwards' 6-Decade Career Survival Guide
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