Age is an Asset…Use It!
“You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” ― CS Lewis
I’m 58.
I’m not sure I ever tried to imagine what age 58 would feel and look like when I was younger…
But I can tell you one thing…
I don’t feel old.
And yet, we seem to be subject to some kind of weird social construct when we’re over 50.
It’s as if we’re immediately deemed to become non-worthy or expendable by everyone else…
All over the world…in just about every business, from tech to media to sports and manufacturing…
Boomers and Gen Xers are being written off and squeezed out of the picture.
- Corporations are culling them from their payrolls.
- Hollywood is writing them off the screen.
- Advertising is completely ignoring (or humiliating) them.
Doesn’t seem right to me at all…in fact, it seems like a huge mistake.
Especially when you factor in that the 50+ population are the ones with the least amount of debt and the most amount of assets.
Actually, it’s worse than crazy…
It’s stupid.
Just do the math.
With Xers now entering their fifties and Boomers living longer than ever…older people make up 30 percent of the workforce.
Folks over 50 — and there are 113 million of them in the United States alone…
They own 70 percent of the wealth…
And they purchase an estimated $5.6 trillion a year in goods and services.
Together, Boomers and Xers…
- Buy more cars…
- Spend more on luxury and adventure travel…
- And own more electronics and homes than any other age group.
Take all of that into consideration…
And you quickly surmise that the biggest mistake brands and media companies make with the 50+ set is dumping them into one big undifferentiated bucket.
As the 67 year old comedian Ron White says…
You can’t fix stupid.
But you can capitalize on it.
ARE YOU TOO OLD TO SET GOALS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
No, not by a long shot.
Many people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s are engaged in healthy aging, eating well, and competing in extreme sports.
They are actively pursuing goals, enjoying their second, third or fourth act and have found ways to turn their life into one adventure after another.
Have you seen Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, and Halle Berry lately?
They’re in incredible shape for anyone, not just for 50-somethings.
Denzel Washington, , George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Emma Thompson are 60-somethings that could give many in their 40s a run for their money.
Jane Seymour is a stunner at 74…Sylvester Stallone is as ripped as ever and still doing his own stunts at 77…and Mick Jagger continues to belt out Jumpin Jack Flash at the ripe young age of 80.
Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood and William Shatner who are all in their 90s remain very active and still pursuing their goals and dreams.
And Charlotte Sanddal at 100 is breaking world records in the swimming pool and making it look easy.
What about you?
What big goals, grand dreams and epic adventures are you actively pursuing?
It’s not too late for any of us to make a difference, to take a leap or to take on a challenge and win!
As you may have guessed…
This is why I encourage all of my fellow gray-haired friends to stay engaged, challenge themselves, to continue to push limits and to stay mentally and physically active.
Yes, you’re getting older…
But there’s much to do, things to see and many mountains to climb.
Do not take your goals and dreams to the graveyard!
BEFORE YOU GO!
Over the years, I’ve learned a few… secrets. The tips, tactics and strategies that have helped people to become superhuman and transform their life. Want to see ‘em? Go here and get my free manifesto.
You’ll find the tip about how to “10X Your Results” fascinating!
Gary Ryan Blair is creator of the 100 Day Challenge…a radical approach to goal achievement that shows people how to achieve 10X size goals by applying the methods and best practices of growth hacking.
