It is so exciting to be on the forefront of the re-launch of the 50+ Fabulous website. But, what exactly is a re-launch? Out of curiosity I looked up “re-launch” and found no definitions in any of the standard dictionaries.

So I looked up “launch” and found many definitions, including the following from Wikipedia:

• Launch
• 1a. To throw or propel with force; hurl: launch a spear. b. To set or thrust (a self-propelled craft or projectile) in motion: launch a rocket; launch a torpedo. 2. To set going; initiate: launch a career; launch a business venture. 3. To give (someone) a start, as in a career or vocation.
• v.intr.  1. To begin a new venture or phase; embark: launch forth on a dangerous mission; launched out on her own after college.  2. To enter enthusiastically into something; plunge: launched into a description of the movie.

Oh, my heart sings remembering the various first “launchings” of my life. First love, first career, first new house…you know what I mean! However, if we are over 50, it may have been a long time since we felt the “rush” of a new venture.

Let’s be honest, girlfriends. We may not have the energy or motivation necessary to “set or thrust as in launch a rocket”, “propel with force” or “plunge” as the dictionary defines launch.

To tell the truth, I felt somewhat exhausted and discouraged reading the definition of “launching.” Surely it can be done with more grace and ease, with more of a feminine touch. I decided to look up the one definition of “re-launch” from Wikipedia and found the following reference:

Re-launch can refer to several things, including:

• Re-launch (process), is a marketing process in which a brand or product (such as a magazine or a car) is re-launched, which may involve new packaging, style or new features
• Re-launch (career), is a process by which people resume careers after a career break

Whew, re-launching sounds more my speed. I love the concept of repackaging, creating a new style or adding new features-now that I can wrap my head around them! No need to start over, from scratch:  find out what works and revitalize!

So, how can you re-launch/revitalize in 3 easy steps:

1. Read the signs that it is time to re-launch.

When you begin to feel that your life/ work is just “not working well” or “you just can’t do it this way anymore” it may be time to consider a re-launch.

Pattie Heisser, Founder & President of 50+Fabulous, recently related the following to me while discussing this topic.  As she stepped out of the car on her way into a corporate interview, she remembered thinking “this is just not me anymore.” She went home and utilized the skills developed from her years in the business world, and re-launched herself into a venture she was most passionate about…getting boomers and beyond the information necessary to create fabulous lives for themselves at midlife. Voila! 50Fabulous.com.

2. Don’t “throw the baby out with the bath water.”

With a re-launch, we can identify the parts of our life that we are most passionate about or work the best and repackage them. Re-launching is a step-by-step process whereby we take our existing skills, best traits and repackage them, rather than starting over. For most women this is a huge relief.

Re-launching can occur in any area of our lives, from re-decorating our homes to making over our careers. Take some time to assess what you enjoy or would like to explore and apply your existing strengths to a new or buried interest. For me, re-launching consisted of repackaging my coaching skills and taking them from the executive boardroom onto the telephone and into the lives of 50 plus women, everywhere, in the form of life coaching.

3. Build some buzz and get started.

Begin your makeover with a new year, a new season, or with your birthday. How about timing your revitalization with the re-launch of the 50+Fabulous website? For re-launch ideas of all kinds read the excellent columns this month and get started. You will be in most excellent company!!