Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

Don’t Let the Old Man In – The Comedy of Aging Gracefully

You know what they say about aging: “It’s better than the alternative.” True, but that doesn’t mean we have to roll over and let the Old Man move in, rearrange the furniture, and start watching reruns of Bonanza, All In The Family, and Sanford and Son on a worn and torn couch. Nope. This is your eviction notice to Father Time—because you’re not done yet.

by Dan J. Harkey

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The Myth of the Rocking Chair

Society loves to hand out stereotypes like free samples at Costco:

“You’re 75?  Time to retire, buy orthopedic shoes, and start every sentence with ‘Back in my day…’”

No thanks.  We’re not just rejecting the stereotypes; we’re rewriting the script.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics says employment among workers aged 65 and older has grown by 117% over the past 20 years.  Translation?  The Old Man might be knocking, but we’re still answering emails, running businesses, and occasionally showing the kids how it’s done.  This is our power, our control over our narrative.

How to Keep the Old Man Out (With Humor and a Cane)

Here’s your survival guide, with a twist:

  • Stay Positive: If you wake up and your first thought is, “Everything hurts,” change it to, “Everything works… mostly.”
  • Hang Out with Optimists: Misery loves company, but so does pickleball.  Choose wisely.
  • Move It or Lose It: Walk, jog, dance—heck, chase the neighbor’s dog if you have to.  Install a walking app.  Bonus points if you beat your grandkid’s step count.
  • Embrace Your Weirdness: Wear the Hawaiian shirt.  Learn salsa.  Start a podcast called “Wrinkles & Wisdom.” It’s not about fitting in, it’s about standing out and having a blast doing it.  This is our liberation, our confidence in being ourselves.
  • Delete the Downers: If someone’s idea of fun is reliving their worst day in 1978, hit mute.
  • Stay Sharp: Learn a new skill.  Coding, cooking, or TikTok dances keep your brain firing.  This is our engagement, our relevance in a fast-paced world.
  • Reject the Norms: Society says fade quietly into the shadows.
  • You say, “Hold my protein shake.” It’s not about conforming; it’s about breaking the mold and living life on your terms.

Workplace Wisdom (And Why You’re Still a Rockstar)

Older workers bring:

  • Reliability (you show up on time).
  • Experience (you’ve seen it all—twice).
  • Patience (because you’ve survived dial-up internet).
  • Results (you know shortcuts that don’t involve Google).

Multigenerational teams thrive because wisdom pairs well with youthful energy—like wine and cheese, but without the cholesterol lecture.

Final Thought

Don’t let the Old Man in.  Lock the door, throw away the rocking chair, and keep living like you’ve got places to go and people to impress because you do.  Outwork the younger set, and they will find that your knowledge and wisdom far surpass anyone that they know.

 Compete as though you’re 30 years younger, and no one will notice your age.