Rewriting the Rules of Aging: How to Live Well in a 100-Year Life
Let’s start by acknowledging something really important: people are living longer nowadays. We’re talking about outliving our parents and even our grandparents. And guess what? Our kids and grandkids are likely to live even longer than us. It’s a big deal, especially, when we are discussing deliberate living. This presents us with a great opportunity to plan for a longer life and to make our lives more meaningful and full of possibilities. It means we have more time to spend with our loved ones, pursue our passions, and create meaningful legacies.
But here’s the thing: despite having all this extra time, we’re still stuck in this mindset of always hustling, living by rigid routines and to-do lists, and trying to be super productive. It’s like we’re on a never-ending treadmill of catching up with life, without really stopping to think about what makes life truly worth living.
To throw things into perspective here is an excerpt from a book that I have been reading. The book’s name is “The 100-Year Life,” by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott. According to the authors, there is research showing that over the last 200 years, our life expectancy has expanded at a steady rate of more than two years every decade. They further add — “if you are now 20, you have a 50 percent chance of living to more than 100; if you are 40 you have a 50 % chance of reaching 95; and if you 60, then a 50 percent chance of making at least 90.”
For a long time, I have been intrigued by the concept of the Longevity Mindset. So much so that I have started to embody longevity as a value. A value, to me, serves as my inner GPS to make decisions and navigate through life. So, as I look at longevity as a gift of time, it becomes even more important to start thinking and embodying certain principles to make the most of this longer life.
Let’s start first by exploring the principle of Flexibility. Despite the remarkable progress in economies, technology, and lifestyles, even today we continue to base our critical life decisions on the advice of our role models. These role models could be our parents, our grandparents, or individuals we admire. Now, I’m not dismissing the value of their advice; it’s often rooted in their own life experiences from a different era. However, their advice may not always be directly applicable to the choices and decisions we face in our world today.
For much of their lives, our role models likely followed a linear path: education, work, retirement. But with increasing lifespans, we get to question whether this traditional trajectory is still the best fit for us. As Rabindranath Tagore said, “Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.” If we reflect on the experiences of our role models, we’ll see that their opportunities and choices were often limited. Considering their life spans, they had a limited need for change.
However, as we get to live longer, we are presented with incredible possibilities and opportunities. This shift calls for a mindset of flexibility. It’s okay to change paths, rethink decisions, make mistakes, and start over. The essence of longevity means we have the gift of increased time, giving us opportunities to challenge old habits and routines, break stereotypes, and be open to experimenting with new ideas and models.
I personally experienced the power of flexibility when I transitioned from a corporate job spanning nearly two decades to becoming a life coach. It was a journey filled with uncertainties, but embracing flexibility allowed me to navigate these changes.
Flexibility allows us to break away from outdated norms and embrace new possibilities. It encourages us to question traditional trajectories and adapt to changing circumstances, ultimately leading to more fulfilling lives.
Now, let’s talk about the second principle: Patience. Even though we’re living longer lives, we still often crave instant gratification. But if we want to live deliberately, patience is key. We set goals, but then we rush to achieve them without giving ourselves enough time. There’s a quote from Bill Gates that really sums it up, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year, and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” It’s a reminder that it’s not about setting unrealistic goals, but about giving ourselves the time we need to reach them. So, when we have all this extra time in our lives, why rush? Let’s slow down and enjoy the journey.
Speaking of patience, I recall a meeting with my financial advisor during my early years. Bursting with youthful enthusiasm, I sought quick wins and immediate rewards for my efforts, especially when it came to exploring investment options. It was during this meeting that he introduced me to the concept of SIP in mutual funds, suggesting we start with just Rs. 1000 per month. Excited by the prospect of this modest investment, I eagerly inquired, “For how long?” His response, without hesitation, was “25 years!”
The gift of a longer life puts a fair bit of onus upon us to delay gratification and to be able to weave together various aspects of our lives with creativity and innovation. As Mother Teresa wisely said, “Without patience, we learn less in life, we see less, we feel less, we hear less; ironically, ‘rush’ and ‘more’ usually mean less.”
Patience reminds us to slow down and appreciate the journey rather than rushing towards instant gratification. By giving ourselves the time we need to achieve our goals, we can truly savor the process and make more meaningful progress in the long run.
Now, let’s delve into the third and final principle: Learnability. In past generations, there was a prevailing mindset that emphasized completing one’s education before entering the workforce. Consequently, our parents and other role models often spent a significant portion of their careers with a single company before they finally settled for retirement. However, our generation is already witnessing more frequent transitions between jobs, and as we live longer, we’ll likely experience even more transitions. These shifts won’t be solely determined by age but by individual choices and circumstances.
The World Economic Forum anticipates a looming technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we work. In this rapidly evolving landscape, investing in knowledge and skills will become an ongoing necessity. As the renowned American writer Alvin Toffler aptly stated, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” It is impossible to imagine that the skills and specializations learned early in one’s career will sustain someone through their now longer lives. Instead, continuous reskilling and re-specialization will become lifelong pursuits.
Learnability emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and adaptation in an ever-evolving world. As technological advancements reshape industries and job markets, investing in ongoing education and skill development becomes essential for staying relevant and thriving in our careers and personal lives.
When I enrolled for my management studies, I was not just ten years older than the average age of my class but was also married and expecting our daughter. Age will no longer be a barrier to education and knowledge. This shift in thinking will create new opportunities for people to access education and knowledge throughout their lives. The workforce of the near future will be more diverse and dynamic and go beyond the traditional definition of ‘corporate jobs.’ Considering that most of this transition will happen by choice, learnability will become an inseparable part of deliberate living.
In conclusion, embracing these principles of flexibility, patience, and learnability not only enhances our individual experiences but also contributes to a collective shift toward a more fulfilling way of living. The question to ask yourself is, “Why am I still operating with the mindset of my role models?”
