Teeing off Against Negative Age Paradigms

The 2021 U.S. Senior Open Championship recently took place at the Omaha Country Club in our hometown, and Home Instead was privileged to serve as an event partner. It was a great event that showcased the incredible talents of golfers my age and older. It was inspiring to see so many of these guys still swinging and hitting precise shots at the flag over and over again. They certainly proved they hadn’t lost their competitive edge.

I watched 63-year-old Bernard Langer intensely hit shot after shot on the driving range after playing a full round with the sun beating down on him. I saw 58-year-old Vijay Singh make the turn from hole 9 to 10, persevering against the extreme heat and the course’s challenging up-and-down terrain. And I witnessed 51-year-old Jim Furyk battle back from a tough start to take the title.

As an amateur golfer myself, seeing these guys still performing at the top of their game inspired me and reminded me of my experience playing for the first time in my club’s annual match-play championship last summer. While the stakes were far smaller, it was still a big deal for me because I love to compete. I ended up playing matches against Joe and Sandy, two guys in their 80s and both intense competitors. Joe gave me all I could handle, but I was able to beat him by a single stroke. Sandy and I went back and forth, trading shot for shot, and we actually wound up tied after 18. We had to play extra holes … and that’s when Sandy sent me packing.

I share this story not to relive my defeat, but to celebrate the spirit of competition that was very much alive and well in those matches. I was trying with all my might to win, and so were both Sandy and Joe. The fact that both men were 30-plus years my senior was inconsequential. All three of us were in it to win it. In fact, the two of them inspired me to believe that I could bounce back and compete in the event for at least the next three or four decades. I’ve got a lot to look forward to!

Sandy, Joe and all those professionals at the U.S. Senior Open represent what all of us should aspire to be as we get older. Not a single one of them is letting age place artificial limitations on what they can accomplish … at least not on the golf course. Whether it’s shooting under par at golf, competing in a fitness event or learning a new skill, we shouldn’t let age limit what we can do. As the saying goes, it’s just a number, and we all should take that to heart. We need to shatter the negative paradigms we’ve created around aging. Here are three actions and behaviors that can help us do it:

1. Celebrate contributions from people of all ages. Many organizations have special “30 under 30” or “40 under 40” awards that recognize the achievements of young professionals. While those awards are great, they don’t mean you stop contributing after a certain age. Personally, I love to call out incredible achievements and contributions I see from folks who some might consider “past their prime.” Also, we’re starting to see more recognitions, such as “80 over 80” lists that spotlight contributions from octogenarians. And I was recently honored to make a “50 over 50” list in Omaha. We need more of this to help remind people that their contributions still matter, regardless of their birthdate.
2. Use empowering language. When it comes to defining how we think about aging, language matters. And it’s not just the words we direct at others, but those that we aim at ourselves. How often have you been in a situation where you’re the oldest person in a room or a competition and you refer to yourself as the “old fart” or the “senior citizen?” We need to stop doing that. While we might be joking, we’re unnecessarily labeling ourselves, perpetuating stereotypes and unintentionally placing limitations both on what we – and those around us – think we’re capable of. Instead, let’s talk about aging with reverence and respect and apply labels that empower us. The professional golfers I mentioned compete on the “Champions” tour and older Cross Fit competitors square off in “Masters” events. Those words send positive signals to competitors and fans alike. They direct us to focus on skills and talent, not age.
3. Don’t count yourself – or others – out. Too often, we tend to exclude people – often ourselves – based on age alone. You frequently see this when the latest technology is introduced. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean a person of a certain age isn’t interested or capable of using it. In fact, I would submit that older people are masters at adapting to change and always willing to try new things … if given the chance. If you feel you’re “too old” to do something, think hard about why that’s the case. Chances are, you won’t find a good reason.

While we need to stop letting age limit us, I recognize that many factors – such as health – are beyond our control. Still, we can take proactive steps now to help us feel our best as we advance in life. We can eat healthy. We can keep our minds stimulated through reading and brain games. We can stay flexible by stretching or doing yoga. We can get our hearts pumping by taking daily walks or runs. Everything we can do today will help prepare us for tomorrow.

I see aging as an opportunity to explore, to learn, to compete and continue contributing to society. We all have the ability to be champions and masters at any age. We just to need to keep swinging.?