Millions, of all ages, still watch and admire people, way past working age, on the biggest stages.
The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger 78), Paul McCartney (80), Bruce Springsteen (72), Elton John (75), The Eagles (Don Henley 74), Beach Boys (Mike Love 81), Diana Ross (78), Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tenant 67) are all headlining music festivals around the world.
Not ’still headlining’ though but ‘headlining again’, as they are all people who led their profession many decades ago but have all since suffered periods when no one cared about them, when they all felt past their sell-by-date and when their income and mental health dwindled.
But they all stayed in the business, all persevered, realised they were out of date and re-invented themselves, found a new relevance and gained a new enthusiasm…and once again, deservedly worked their way to the top of their profession.
They are all over 60 but we now see too many people aged only 50+ who are made to feel past their working sell-by-date. We live in an ever-younger, ageist society, but we can learn from them: persevere and be willing to earn less, learn something new, reinvent ourselves, be relevant and enthusiastic. And we can also once again be at the top of our professions.
It works, and it doesn’t take long, I see it happening.
And then you can smile at the irony of today’s young bosses enjoying the VIP areas of this week’s old-age-pensioner gigs, while in their own businesses refusing to employ anyone older than themselves.
But, hey, if it doesn’t work – try a nostalgia idea. It’s very ‘in’ right now! In these tough times, everyone enjoys the opportunity to relive their innocent days of youth... as the bank balance of the organisers of all music festivals will prove.
Anyway, it's a no-lose, life is too long to keep doing the same thing over and over again. A rich life is full of ups and downs, reinvention, relevance, learning, and enthusiasm.