My (continued) advice to those over 50. Strategies for Continuous Growth and Relevance
As many of you have read, I am a big believer that 50 is the new mid-career, give or take. Now, I didn’t figure this out until I approached 60, and was concerned about what I was going to do with the second half of my life, should I be blessed with that. And if you take some time to lift your head, and look around, there are so many inspiring stories out there of people like us, who are not wrapping it up and calling it a day.
If this is you, and trust me, we all grow older, I would suggest giving ROAR a read. I have been learning from Michael Clinton for a bit now, and am constantly inspired by his presence in my life now, but unbeknownst to me he has been there for quite a long time. Michael was the publisher of GQ magazine during my formative years. So yeah, blame him for my early sartorial faux pas in the late 80s, everything I thought I knew about woman, and my love of writers like Tom Junod and Chuck Bowen.
Am I the builder of my future, or am I the architect?
I think that when we reach that point in thinking about future-proofing our years ahead, we need to be both. Shit gets hard beyond our Fifties. Our health changes, our passions and priorities may change, our energy levels, or tolerance for certain types of personalities, even our fashion sensibilities change. (I am currently weighing a shift from denim on denim Americana to Tokyo Street + Aloha Shirts.) On the career front, many of us face the challenge of staying relevant and engaged in this rapidly changing world. Drawing from personal experience and observations, I'd like to share some things I have done, or am doing to not just adapt, but to thrive today, but as equally as important, to thrive in the upcoming years.
Learn baby, learn!
Life-long learning is not just a buzzword; it's a necessity. But it’s also insanely rewarding. I have written often enough about the unlock that became the stepping stones to future-proofing my career - Section School. No matter how much curiosity driven learning you do, nothing beats a structured approach to knowledge growth than working with an organization that is investing time, talent, and passion into bringing courses, conversations and cohorts into your learning journey. Section was my choice, and while there are many others to choose from, this remains my top recommendation for courses that I believe are applicable the very next day.
Shift to becoming a Generalist
My curiosity has always guided my career path, and my life for that matter. Jury is still out on whether that was a good thing, or a bad thing, in my early years. I have described myself as an expert generalist since way back when. It began during my university years, where I was encouraged to take as many non-design courses as I could. (I have a BS in Environmental Design from US Davis). Enology & Viticulture, International Relations, Self and Society, Macro-economics, Ecology, it was a broad list. But now I find having both broad and deep knowledge across areas is significant. Add to that the perspective of age and acquired experience, and suddenly its quite a differentiator when the right project, role or opportunity arises.
Begin taking courses outside of your sphere of expertise, have coffee with people who have interesting careers, even when they are unrelated to yours. Listen to podcasts that are more horizontal than vertical. But that also means deliberately putting yourself into a different sphere of influence.
Recalibrate Your Network
As we age, our networks grow, but the value of that network can diminish due to a signal vs. noise challenge. It's crucial to re-evaluate and adjust your network to align with your current ambitions, not just your past. Times change, people change, and our goals evolve. Seek out others who challenge you to learn and grow. Quality connections that push you forward are more valuable than a vast network that keeps you tethered to the past. And let’s not forget that network platforms like LinkedIn are not scoreboards. I have thousands of connections, but I have real conversations with less than 50 of those on a monthly basis. And I would say there are about 15 that are really, truly invested in my future. This will also challenge and grow, your interpersonal skills.
Interpersonal Skills
Those who know me can attest to the fact that I have no problem talking. But with the pervasive and invasive rise of video meetings, teleconferences, WFH, and then accelerated by the isolation of Covid, I believe we lost the art of conversation, and of listening. And I am increasingly concerned about this with the rise of AI tools like transcriptions, and rapid summaries that are becoming the proxy for our attention. Sure, it gives you more time to do other things, but for me there is no substitute for being present, and active when speaking with people, if given that option. This also extends to writing as a developed skill. And penmanship, unless you are doctor, but that is another post.
We are now fully embarked on a present where an AI can produce adequate writing, but our ability to communicate exceptionally well becomes an advantage. Invest in honing your writing and speaking skills. Focus on becoming a world-class communicator both written and spoken. These skills can be learned and will make a significant difference in the AI + Human Intelligence future.
Adapt to Major Forces
Five major forces are reshaping our world:
1. Technological advancements, especially AI
2. Demographic shifts
3. The rise of new marketplaces
4. Work rewiring due to global events like COVID-19
5. The growth of the gig economy
These forces will impact every job within the next three years. Staying aware and adaptable is key to navigating these changes successfully.
“The opposite of old is not young. The opposite of old is new”
The journey beyond 50 isn't about slowing down; it's about strategically redirecting our energy and focus. By investing in new communication skills, embracing creativity, committing to continuous reinvention, recalibrating our networks, and dedicating ourselves to lifelong learning, we not only stay relevant but lead the way in this new era, this new you.
Remember, the ability to learn and evolve is more accessible than ever. There are countless real-world and online resources at our fingertips. Let's not be held back by outdated beliefs about age and capability. The future is bright for those who choose to embrace it, regardless of the number of candles on their cake.
What strategies have you found effective in your journey of continuous growth? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. But if you are in Singapore, let’s go grab a coffee. We might even get a senior discount.