Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums what do you do?

I am about to turn 50 years old. I grew up in a time when giftedness was encouraged in schools. The schools started honor classes when I entered 5th grade. For the rest of my schooling, I was in honor level of classes. I never thought much about it.

Now, I am hitting the half-century mark. I just finished my masters in Mental Health Counseling with Play Therapy certification. The problem is that although I love the counseling, I have at least 3 dozen business ideas that I would love to try. I want to start the business and put someone else in charge. I have been a writer/speaker for the past seven years. I have created a number of educational programs that help others achieve their potential. I love doing that.

However, I would also enjoy doing things like mission work. I am tinkering with continuing my education to the doctorate level in neuropsychology. I would love to do research.

My daughter and I often talk about the perils of being gifted. She is very gifted but her interests are more narrow than mine. She has a 2 1/2 yr old daughter who is surpassing both of us. She talks about how she can't share what her daughter is doing because people don't like to hear about 'gifted' kids. If your child has challenges, that's fine. If they are behind, that's fine. Shut up if your child is advanced. I tell her I completely understand.

Today I was reading this letter about someone needing to work in a Native American community. I thought 'wow, that sounds interesting.' Then I got ticked because I am interested in so many topics.

So how do you handle having a lot of interests? (If you do?) How do you decide which is the best way to go? I know I could any of these things. I just hate being pulled in so many directions.

I know I am a bit old to be having this problem. <G> Maybe a mid-life crisis. I am only one person. There are so many I would love to help achieve their potential.

Then there is the part of me who wants to move to a piece of land in the wilderness and become a hermit, as long as I have the internet. Then I wouldn't have to mess with the stupid people.

Well, your daughter is always welcome to come and talk about her daughter here -- that's kind of what we're here for!

I'm not too far off your age, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, so I know what you mean. I've always said, the problem is that I want to do so many things, I end up not doing any of them. Standing in the crossroads, turning in circles.

Look for books by Barbara Sher. She discusses a Scanner personality type as those of us with so many different interests could be termed. Particularly compounded when aptitude isn't a limiting factor, I still remember getting back my mostly maxed out DAT (differential aptitude test) and thinking "Great, I could be anything I want to be, what the heck do I want to be?"

What are some of your 3 dozen business ideas?