We talk a lot about creating your Encore Career on the podcast: how will you transfer your skills and what will you do?

As you can see, most of what we talk about is related to the question of “what.” 

However, today I want to do something a little different. I want to take some time to discuss who you want to be when you grow old.

This discussion is based off a book by Richard Leider and David Shapiro, Who Do You Want To Be When Your Grow Old? I was introduced to Richard by Modern Elder Academy. We went through several sessions together and had many conversations about purpose, especially purpose later in life.

One of the common themes we came back to over and over again is that purpose ties in with mindset. This is one of the first areas we talk about in the process of creating an Encore Career as well. We must do some hard work on our mindset to start navigating the path towards purposeful aging. Let’s begin.

Growing Old, Not Getting Old

Old is valuable but old is not always valued. We must be purposeful about making our later years count. A good place to start is by asking yourself, “What gets me up in the morning?” 

 

There is also a lot of power in the language you use. Do you call yourself old or wise? Do you see your current stage in life as longevity or aging? Are you a sage or a fossil? Are you growing old or getting old? All of these terms matter. 

 

Additionally, the term “retired” didn’t exist until the 1940s. You don’t have to take that word on as your identity.

 

You’re a Human Being, Not a Human Doing

We all want to be somebody and to have mattered in this world. However, this can often lead us to be a human “doing” while failing to accomplish anything meaningful at all. You are a human being, not a human doing.

I love this quote from Repacking Your Bags about what it means to be a human being: “Living in the place you belong, with the people you love, doing the right work on purpose.” 

Parker Palmer’s Two Questions for the Second Stage of Life

 

Parker Palmer has two great questions we can ask ourselves as we begin the journey towards the second half of life: 

 

1. What do I need to let go of?

2. What do I want to give myself to?

 

The second question shows us if we’re operating with an abundance or scarcity mindset. 

 

Now go and age with purpose.