70 and Rockin!

Someone asked me if I ever wanted to retire.   Not a chance. Here’s why:

The notion that retirement signifies the end of one's usefulness and relevance is a common misconception in society. Many people our age may indeed find themselves bored, out of touch, or in decline during retirement, but it is important to recognize that this is not the case for everyone. In fact, there are numerous individuals who are in a position to do their best work ever based on their wealth of experience, intellect, drive, and sheer ability.

It is not uncommon to witness business leaders, artists, scientists, actors, writers, politicians, and individuals from various other fields experiencing breakthroughs later in life. Just like in a football game, there is no reason why we cannot have a fourth quarter rally in our lives. We have the opportunity to excel and make significant contributions based on the wisdom and knowledge we have acquired over the years.

To fully harness our potential, it is crucial to engage in personal or virtual meetings where our energy, passion, and experience can shine through. These interactions allow us to demonstrate the value we bring to the table and enable others to witness firsthand our ability to make a difference. By avoiding living in the past or lamenting about the present, we can utilize our past experiences as a foundation upon which to build a better future. Understanding the past is essential in order to design the future.

We, as forward-thinking individuals, are relatively rare in our age group. We possess new ideas and a fresh perspective on the future. Additionally, our skills in coaching and leading teams are unmatched. Despite the generation gap, we have the ability to relate to younger individuals because it is what we do. Our experiences have equipped us with the necessary tools to guide and mentor others effectively. For example, even at XM, I designed the hip hop channels while younger individuals who live that life executed it. I provided the vision and framework, and the younger generation executed it flawlessly.

Moreover, there is immense potential in marketing to the largest demographic group, those aged 60 and above, as we possess intimate knowledge of how this group thinks and behaves. Retirement may be suitable for many people who are tired and tend to look backwards, but that is not the case for us. We look forward with an arsenal of thinking that can generate positive change. Our fountain of information, coupled with the fact that we have learned from our mistakes, makes us a valuable resource. We can outthink younger individuals who have not yet experienced the depth of challenges and triumphs we have encountered.

While we may be a minority in terms of modern thinkers within our age group, that should not deter us. We possess that special "it" factor that sets us apart. There are several strategies we can employ to make an impact. It could involve acquiring a company or simply staying active in our respective fields and fighting for what we believe in. Our expertise is a valuable currency, just as your expertise is in commerce and mine is in concept design.

Another avenue to explore is forming partnerships and doing deals with individuals around our age who understand the value we bring. Our veteran status and continued involvement in the game point us forward, making us attractive to others who recognize the importance of experience and wisdom. We have observed so much and been involved in so much that our biggest barriers are often ourselves. Nostalgia is enjoyable, but creating something new and exciting is even more fulfilling.

Acceptance of our capabilities and potential lies within us. This is why face-to-face interactions are crucial. Through these encounters, we can showcase what we bring to the table and demonstrate that age is nothing more than a simple perceived obstacle rather than a dead end. While terrestrial radio may be declining in relevance , it is important to explore new avenues and adapt to the changing times. As Dick Clark once said, radio is a Stepping stone to bigger things.  And who would have thought our favorite music stars are doing great work in their 75-85 time zone

Personally,  I’m excited about the future and intend to contribute to the endless possibilities that exist in this crazy new Wild West with attitude, vision and moxie