When does a person really become old? Is it when they turn 52, 55 or maybe 65? Is there something else we should consider when a person becomes old?
America in the 30’s defined old as getting the “OLD” people out of the workforce so that the young people could get jobs, and at the same time companies could divest higher cost employees for lower paid ones.
In other parts of the world, a person doesn’t reach old age till active contribution is no longer possible. In the USA have developed language that demeans and disrespect people both younger and older around economic terms.
Phrases like, “you are too young to know or appreciate something”, or “you are too old to be able to understand things today or change from your old ways.” This implies that it is not economically worthwhile to invest effort and time in helping a person who wants to change to make about the necessary changes.
We marginalize people on both sides of the spectrum because we don’t feel their experiences, knowledge and viewpoint has any economic value. We have made people commodities that are disposable and allow cost and expediency to drive personel decisions.
Much of the corporate language is centered around economic terms. Think of the term Human Resources. When you think of a resource? Is it something that you stockpile or mine and have available to convert into a product or service when there is demand for your product?
Somehow it does not imply that there is a person there to be concerned with. What story are you telling and what is the story your business tells its’ people? Most of us have learned that the way to a good life and retirement is to earn more money, and more money and more money otherwise you will become a bag lady/man in your old age.
We have to learn to tell a different story about our worth as we age. That we have a lot to offer and that we don’t want, “careers that are appropriate for our age” but “careers that are appropriate for our skills.” If you are in good health, then it should be the best time of your life if you are 50 or older and you should be in high demand.
A quote by Howard Thurman is a good motto to follow, “Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive… then go do it. Because, what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Enjoying the journey is the Destination.
Last, remember life is for living and enjoying, you can’t save it up for some other time because you don’t know what the future will bring.
If you think about these changes, you will find that you will really enjoy retirement. I am here to help coach you on living life with gusto and to help you to keep moving forward with your plans on enjoying life.
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