Your Past Success Won’t Save You: Reinvent Yourself Today

Introduction: The Comfort of Past Achievements

You pride yourself on past achievements. We all do.

Business success, accolades, and victories have defined you. But let's get real: resting on your laurels is a dangerous game. Condoleezza Rice said, "Never be the former anything."

In today's newsletter, I'm going to cover a number of areas related to the idea of living off past accomplishments and I'm going to ask you a series of questions along the way. By the end, you may be thinking, "enough with the questions, I get it." Good, that's the intention. I'm trying to create a pattern interrupt for you.

What is a Pattern Interrupt?

A pattern interrupt is a technique used to disrupt habitual thinking or behavior. By breaking your usual thought patterns, it creates an opportunity to adopt new perspectives and behaviors. This article aims to use frequent, thought-provoking questions to challenge your current mindset and push you toward growth and reinvention. Think of it as a necessary jolt to wake you up from complacency.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of glorifying past successes, but doing so can prevent you from achieving new milestones. If you’re not actively working on new goals, you’re stagnating. Are you becoming irrelevant? Relying on past successes can lead to irrelevancy because it fosters complacency and hinders growth.

When you focus solely on what you have already achieved, you stop seeking new challenges and opportunities for improvement. This stagnation prevents you from adapting to changing environments and staying competitive. In a constantly evolving world, maintaining relevance requires continuous learning and innovation. If you’re not actively working on new goals, you’re not progressing, and over time, this leads to a decline in significance and influence.

The Trap of "Glory Days"

Remember John Cougar Mellencamp's "Glory Days"? It’s a trap. Focusing on past glories can prevent you from creating new victories. Do you find yourself reminiscing more than acting? If so, it’s time for a wake-up call. Those memories can be comforting, but they can also create a false sense of security.

It’s time to ask yourself: When was the last time you felt the thrill of a new achievement? If you can't remember, you're overdue for a change.

Continuous Reinvention

Yesterday’s wins don’t guarantee today’s success. Fixating on what you once were—a former athlete, executive, top salesman - can lead to stagnation. Continuous reinvention is crucial. Who are you striving to become today? Reinvention means constantly evolving, learning new skills, and setting fresh goals. It’s about challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone.

Are you actively seeking growth, or are you content to coast on past glories? Reinvention requires courage and a willingness to face the unknown.

The Daily Commitment to Growth

Winning isn’t a one-time event. It’s a relentless, daily commitment. Every single day, you must show up and compete. It’s about maintaining the hunger to improve, no matter how many past successes you have under your belt.

This commitment involves setting daily goals, embracing challenges, and celebrating small victories. It’s the daily effort that builds momentum and leads to significant achievements. Are you putting in the effort every day, or are you expecting your past efforts to carry you?

Becoming "Harder to Kill"

Being "harder to kill" isn’t just about physical fitness. It’s about holistic health, mental resilience, and continual self-challenge. These goals require ongoing commitment. Are you pushing yourself or coasting on yesterday’s effort?

Building resilience means working on your physical health, mental fortitude, and emotional stability. It’s about preparing for the unexpected and becoming adaptable. Are you investing in your overall well-being, or are you taking it for granted?

Something > Nothing

You don’t have to crush it every day, but you must show up. The principle of "something > nothing" means that consistent effort, even small, leads to significant progress over time. Are you consistently showing up, or are you making excuses?

It’s easy to justify skipping a workout or putting off a task, but those small decisions add up. Consistency is the key to long-term success. Are you letting small obstacles derail your progress, or are you committed to showing up no matter what?

Reinvention > Retirement

"Retirement" implies a cessation of growth. Instead, embrace "reinvention." Constantly seek new challenges, learn new skills, and push beyond your comfort zone. Are you retiring mentally, or are you actively reinventing yourself?

Retirement is often seen as a time to relax, but it should be a time for new adventures and opportunities. Reinvention keeps you engaged and motivated. Are you embracing new experiences, or are you stuck in a routine that no longer excites you?

The Existential Void: The Story Ends

Donald Miller in "Hero on a Mission" talks about being the hero of your story. When a story ends—like retiring without a plan—you face a blank screen, an existential void. Viktor Frankl describes this void as a loss of meaning and purpose.

The first time I experienced this "existential void" was when I left the company we sold to a publicly traded company. I left with no other "story" ready to go. If it was a movie, my movie had ended, the credits rolled, and I was left staring at a blank screen. This was great for a while; I was ready to move on, but those years turned into me seeking the next "thing" to do. When I met new people and they asked me what I did, I fumbled with my answer. I talked more about what I used to do because that was more impressive than what I was currently doing.

This helped me realize a few things:

1. We all need to have a secondary or upcoming story running alongside our current story. You could view this as a "backup" or as a parallel interest. The key is to have something in your life that you are pursuing that ties to your purpose and passion.

2. We are more than our job. A title at your company doesn't answer the question of what you do; at best, it is a partial answer.

Now, I have a much better answer when people ask me what I do. I make men over 50 harder to kill. I'm one of them. This leads them to ask me more questions. I talk about my family and friends and wanting to enjoy my time with them, to help them live their best lives, and how Argent Alpha is the vehicle I'm using to do that.

Many men experience this void after selling their business or retiring. Without another story ready, you become the "former something." Are you prepared with a new story, or are you staring at a blank screen?

It’s Never Too Late, But...

People say, "It’s never too late to start," but let’s be real: it’s never too late until it is. If your health continues to decline, bouncing back becomes significantly harder. Are you waiting for your waist size to magically decrease, hoping a heart attack isn’t in your future, or expecting a bad diagnosis to spur change? Why not act now, voluntarily, and make the challenge manageable?

Taking proactive steps to improve your health and well-being is crucial. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes. Are you making excuses, or are you taking action to improve your future?

People Become Set in Their Ways

Research shows that habits and routines become entrenched over time. Are you becoming more flexible or more stuck in your ways? It’s essential to start today by creating your own pattern interrupt. Breaking old habits and forming new ones requires effort and dedication.

Are you willing to make the necessary changes to stay relevant and engaged? It’s about being open to new ideas and willing to adapt. Are you challenging yourself to grow, or are you stuck in a rut?

The Solution: Intentional Relevance

Staying relevant as you age requires intentional effort. This involves:

• Continuous Learning: Commit to learning something new every day. This could be through reading books, taking online courses, or attending seminars. The goal is to keep your mind sharp and adaptable.

• Seeking New Challenges: Regularly step out of your comfort zone. Whether it's trying a new sport, picking up a new hobby, or tackling a challenging project, embracing new challenges keeps you engaged and motivated.

• Starting a Side Gig: Consider starting a side gig that aligns with your interests and skills. This can provide a new sense of purpose, additional income, and an opportunity to learn and grow in different areas. Whether it's consulting, coaching, or launching a small business, a side gig keeps you engaged and relevant. It’s a proactive way to stay mentally sharp, continuously challenged, and connected with current industry trends and innovations.

• Staying Engaged: Be active in your community. Join local clubs, participate in social events, and volunteer. Building and maintaining strong social connections is crucial for emotional and mental well-being.

• Adapting to Change: Stay open to new ideas and ways of doing things. This could involve learning new technologies, adopting new work methodologies, or simply being open to different perspectives.

• Physical Health: Get an InBody or DEXA scan and maintain a healthy body composition (body fat under 20%). Maintain or increase skeletal muscle mass via a strength training program and a protein-centric diet. Physical health is foundational to overall well-being and longevity.

• Mindfulness and Mental Health: Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation or breath work into your daily routine to manage stress and improve mental clarity.

• Professional Development: Continue to develop your career by seeking out new opportunities for growth and advancement. This could mean taking on new responsibilities, earning additional certifications, or mentoring younger professionals.

• Creative Pursuits: Engage in creative activities like writing, painting, or music. Creativity stimulates the brain and can provide a sense of accomplishment and joy.

• Travel and Exploration: Traveling to new places can provide fresh perspectives and inspire new ideas. It’s also a great way to learn about different cultures and histories.

Next Steps

1. Set Specific Goals: Identify specific areas where you want to grow and set achievable goals. For example, commit to reading one new book a month or learning a new skill within three months.

2. Create a Plan: Develop a plan that includes daily, weekly, and monthly actions. This could involve scheduling time for learning, exercise, and social activities.

3. Track Progress: Regularly review your progress towards your goals. Adjust your plan as needed to stay on track and address any obstacles.

4. Seek Feedback: Engage with mentors, peers, and professionals who can provide feedback and guidance. This can help you stay accountable and motivated.

5. Reflect and Adjust: Periodically reflect on your journey. What’s working? What isn’t? Be willing to adjust your goals and strategies as needed.

6. Find Like-Minded People: Surround yourself with individuals who share similar goals and values. Join groups, clubs, or online communities where you can connect with others on the same path. These connections can provide support, motivation, and new perspectives, helping you stay engaged and inspired.

The LinkedIn Headline: Reflect Your Current Purpose

I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn sharing my views on how to become Harder To Kill. I've connected with many wonderful people and learned a lot over the last three years. In your LinkedIn profile, you have a headline where you can briefly share what you do. My headline says, "Making Men Over 50 Harder To Kill” (let’s connect if we haven’t already).

Many people I come across have the words "ex" or "former" in their headline. What this tells the world is one of two things:

1. I'm not currently doing anything very interesting.

2. I'm more proud of my previous work than my current work.

I know this because it used to describe me. Creating your headline is not as easy as it sounds. It requires thoughtful reflection and may cause you to start questioning your current work, and that's a good thing. We all need to be pursuing something we have passion about—something that ties into our purpose.

So if you are struggling with your LinkedIn headline, it might be a calling to reflect on where you are going with your life. You don't need to open a LinkedIn account to benefit from this exercise. Think of it as an example to reflect on how you present yourself.

Start Today and Create a Legacy

It's easy when you're over 50, 60, or 70 to drift into a place where you just don't get after it like you used to. Recognize the signs and use the guidance in this newsletter (and the previous 94 issues) to create a pattern interrupt.

There is no law that says you need to "go out to pasture" and become irrelevant. You get to define your relevance and be intentional about it. It requires spending time with like-minded people who are trending up in life.

Ask yourself: What direction is your life trending?

Are you moving towards a redefined intentional relevance or drifting towards a default future of irrelevancy?

The typical 60-year-old person is winding down in life. That's why I spend time with men who are trending up, to avoid being sucked into the downward spiral.

Start by focusing on today’s win. Remember, "something > nothing." Show up, put in the work, and let consistency be your guide. Excellence is an ongoing journey.

Are you ready to take the first step today? Commit to moving forward. Your actions today shape your legacy. Build a foundation for others to follow. Creating a legacy means inspiring others through your relentless pursuit of growth and excellence.

Start your own journey of intentional relevance by visiting Argent Alpha.