The Growing Movement of Positive Aging
“Don’t believe everything you think.” These words spoken by George Vaillant at last month’s Positive Aging Conference in Los Angeles may become the anthem for a movement just now “coming of age.”
Vaillant was one of the keynote speakers at the fourth incarnation of this annual gathering attended by life coaches, artists, academics, healthcare professionals, and yes, one or two financial advisors pioneering to change conventional wisdom on the way we age.
Vaillant is Director of the Study of Adult Development at the Harvard University Health Service and perhaps best known for his book, Aging Well, a synopsis of three separate longevity studies that followed 824 individuals for more than 50 years. This work examined important adult developmental tasks, such as identity, intimacy, and generativity (giving to the next generation), and provides important clues to a healthy, meaningful and satisfying aging.
A Blessing Not a Curse
What this conference signifies is a growing movement of dedicated professionals who are debunking traditional thinking about growing old. As we have said before, longevity is a blessing not a curse. Positive aging has no place for doom and gloom.
Positive aging is comprised of many ground breaking ideas and new models. Some of the more compelling topics at this conference included: nascent models in co-housing, the longevity benefits of being creative and spiritual, the challenges and considerations of “solo agers” without children and the effects of technology and “virtual communities.”
Much about positive aging has to do with clarifying our own perceptions and stereotypes regarding aging and ageism. The importance of engaging in communication, experiencing interpersonal relationships and nurturing optimism is crucial to achieving positive aging.
The Art of Convening
Representative of the kind of innovative thinking at this conference was a session devoted to optimizing the process of engaging with others for a common cause, be it personal or professional.
The methodology introduced was taken from a forthcoming book by Craig and Patricia Neal entitled, The Art of Convening. At its core the art of convening is a simple leadership practice which integrates the individual perspective with the whole of a community, group, or gathering in authentic engagement. Yet even simple ideas can be difficult to mature when trying to mobilize a larger group around new ways of thinking.
The process begins with each individual taking part identifying who they are in relation to the group and what the purpose of the engagement is. With this initial self-exploration, members of a group take a more open-minded “way of being” with others, thus strengthening the communal effort and increasing the likelihood of success for whatever action or purpose is being proposed.
Lizard Brains
Creating an atmosphere of trust and positivity all sounds so easy. However, the truth is that we all must cope with inner fears and anxieties which live in our “lizard brains.”
Our lizard brains will quite often cause us to perform primeval actions that actually endanger us or those close to us. Whether it is resisting making changes to your investment portfolio or deciding on a new career, humans must be able to address, measure and manage the emotion of fear – but where to begin?
Lee Ann McClymont has a recipe. She runs her workshops following the arc of her pithy work The Friendly Fear Notebook. Essentially, McClymont takes FDR’s refrain “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” a step further by urging us to make fear our ally. This exercise instructs participants to examine the most fear-filled moments of their lives. After sorting these memories, participants begin to detach from these experiences and are encouraged to use language to understand and learn from their memories.
Longevity Planning Means Aging Positively
According to a new survey released this month by the Society of Actuaries (SOA), nearly half (48 percent) of Americans ages 45-70 have no financial plans in place to protect themselves against outliving their assets and the rising cost of healthcare should they live longer than they expected.
We understand that it may be a leap of faith for some to infuse personal development with financial planning – and that’s ok. However, we also realize that there are enough individuals and couples out there to keep the team at Hatch Retirement busy for the rest of our (long) lives.
Through collaboration with professionals like those involved in the Positive Aging movement, the Hatch Plan is committed to helping people embrace the principles that focus on preparation for positive and meaningful life transitions. Our brand of longevity planning does not shy away from the difficult issues and conversations about money, family, health, etc., but we believe all of these “life” decisions can be made through a lens of optimism, open-mindedness and creativity.
Contact Us:
1650 Borel Place, Suite 227
San Mateo, CA 94402
T-650.573.9960
F-650.573.9930
info@hatchplan.com
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