#46 MAKING IT BIG (WHEN OLDER)

This Week: An easy-to-follow checklist

~5 Min

NTL #39 FOCUSED ON MAKING IT BIG (WHILE YOUNG) which led to many comments and shares. Last week, a friend who has mentored me regularly since 2000 sent me this:

The post on making it big while young struck a nerve. Here are some thoughts on making it big when older.

What a great idea!

So I sent a note to a handful of people in their 70s asking for additional thoughts, including my father who has been my most important mentor for 47 years.

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I CANNOT DO THIS POST WITHOUT SHARING THE ADVICE MY FRIEND RONNIE gave me almost 20 years ago.

“Do you know how to predict your future?” he asked.

All you have to do is find someone ten years older and ask them about their life. It is hard for anyone to remember individual days from 20 or 30 years ago, but everyone can give you specific details about what they were doing a decade ago. Those actions, feelings, behaviors, regrets and successes are a window into what you have coming your way.

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10 IDEAS FOR MAKING IT BIG WHEN OLDER. Below, I’ve copied, pasted, edited and shared others’ ideas and some of my complementary thoughts to make it all sync together. If any of this resonates with you, send it to your parents or grandparents. If you are in your 70’s, take some action. Or, since you have extra time, send me a long critique. :)

Note: OLDER = 70+ years of age

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#1 BE ACCESSIBLE. At this point you are already known – at least to some people. It’s not about maximizing notoriety, it’s about being accessible to those younger to share your wealth of experiences. When older, you have more time and can be more intentional about helping others. Answer your calls and emails.

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#2 VOLUNTEER. There are many reasons besides doing good to join boards when younger - networking, building influence, strategy for growing a business, etc. When you are older, focus solely on making a difference, even if it’s only impacting a small number of people. Even though you have more of it, your time is still valuable. Manage it wisely with your other priorities.

Volunteering doesn’t need to be an organized thing. I loved what my friend John said.

As I watched my own father age and eventually go to heaven many years ago, I noticed his journey fighting health issues, the loss of his wife (my mom) and no fellowship with his peers. He lacked others asking him for advice. In short, he had lost value in his life. These memories of my dad’s final years encouraged me to invest in retired coaches and to give them value. I want them to know that they can continue to grow in Christ and impact others as they finish strong.

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#3 FIND NEW FRIENDS. It can feel like you know everyone but it is never too late to make a new friend, especially one that shares your current interests. When older, new interests come into your line of sight. Friendship is the same way. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Don't let bitterness creep into your life. Bitterness is a poison that we take hoping the other person will get sick. Friendship is the only antidote. Ride the ride of life with friends for every season.

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#4 STAY COMPLETELY IN THE GAME - OR NOT. This is a tricky one. It is impossible to be fully engaged and semi-retired. Either you are all in or mostly out. I’ve shared before that politics is both rewarding/exhilarating while equally disappointing and sometimes downright awful. If bored, maybe run for something. Your homeowners association or city council are options - both are local and your time and efforts directly contribute to something bigger than you.

My friend Dick is a unicorn - he is fully engaged and active deep into his seventies. This is a conscious decision for him. Most cannot pull it off. If you can still make stuff happen at an advanced age, good for you. Be self-aware enough to know if you can or cannot. I see so many that think they can, but they cannot. A post for another day: OLDER (MOSTLY) MEN WHO USED TO BE IMPORTANT AND FINISH POORLY.

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#5 SURRENDER. In #39, I talked about being both patient and impatient. Patience wins the day. When older, there is a surrender that ultimately needs to happen and a realization of the futility of being impatient or “holding on”.

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#6 LOOK THE PART. I copied and pasted this one:

A lot of my friends who have retired (or semi-retired) no longer look the part. Sometimes I fall into that trap. They grow beards/goatees, wear tennis shoes with their casual business attire, and seemingly don’t care – some of them don’t wear socks either. I haven’t decided if that’s a bad idea, but at my age I feel different when dressed appropriately. Oh yeah and when I semi-retired I gave away a dozen suits and most of my formal clothes, almost all my ties and started buying Hoka’s and clothes from Tommy Bahamas. I started thinking “I’m retired, what the heck?” I need to rethink this one.

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#7 SCHEDULE A REGULAR LUNCH WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS. When younger, time is compressed - business meetings, family obligations, professional and personal priorities abound. When older, it is easy to find yourself isolated or maybe harder to get out and about. Get a group of friends and get together. You can organize this. Talk about the weather, sports and politics to your heart’s content. Laugh at stupid jokes. Fight over who pays. Tell stories that everyone has already heard.

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#8 STOP BEING SO DAMN COMPETITIVE. I thought this one was interesting:

Controlling competitive instincts is hard and some never figure it out. But for most, the biggest change I see in my “senior” friends is they are no longer competitive - at least not like they were when they were younger. They are friendlier and are seemingly more interested in what I am doing. This is in conflict with staying in the game.

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#9 CHOOSE WISELY. Again, I won’t do it justice unless I just paste:

I’ve noticed people at this stage fall into two categories:

1. They are miserable and haven’t adapted to retirement, hanging on to the past and trying to be relevant.

OR

2. They are happy and have adapted. They have a different purpose – making a difference.

Too many of my retired friends were so wrapped in their identity it took them a long time to understand why their phone no longer rings. I tell them to turn those competitive instincts into productive activity that makes a difference. I recently went on a tour of a non-profit organization that serves those on the autism spectrum. I was amazed at how many volunteers my age were involved and pouring their lives into helping a vulnerable community. Those volunteers came from all walks of life and were making a difference.

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#10 GROW IN FAITH. Work on your testimony, not your title.

My only goals are to follow God’s will and help other people achieve their goals. That is what will make a difference in the senior years for me.

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A QUOTE WORTH READING:

… I ain't as good as I once was

I got a few years on me now

But there was a time, back in my prime

When I could really lay it down

If you need some love tonight

Then I might have just enough

I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once

As I ever was.

- Toby Keith, “As Good As I Once Was”

BONUS QUOTE:

Advice from John’s Dad:

If you ignore me, I may not forgive you.

If you criticize me, I may be angry with you.

If you flatter me, I might not believe you.

If you encourage me, I will always remember you.

Faith improves my life. Here is a verse I like from the Bible:

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:3

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~IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO FINISH WELL~

@renzistone33 on X, LinkedIn & Substack