Unleashing Possibility As We Age...

The Profound Influence of Role Models for Smart Agers

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Reaching new heights later in life is often catalysed by the powerful presence of influential role models…

Here are 5 benefits of Role Models:

I have spoken about my 95-year-old French Teacher Beryl before. My Smart Ager journey began when I stared into the 30-year gap between us and wondered what I might do in my later years. Read her full story here.

1. Inspiration Overload: Picture this – you're sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through the stories of incredible individuals who've conquered mountains, and suddenly, you feel that fire in your belly igniting! Role models fuel our spirits with inspiration and keep our motivation game strong. Observing the journey of a role model can push us to set higher goals for ourselves and strive to reach our full potential. They show us that success is attainable through dedication and hard work.

Let me introduce Joan (Instagram @trainwithjoan). You can’t help but be inspired by her journey, which started at 70 when her daughter sat her down and gave her an ultimatum - change your lifestyle, or I won’t be there for you at the nursing home as you age. Those tough words inspired her to become the strong and sassy woman she is 7 years later, with an IG following close to 2 million.

2. Growth Galore: Think of role models as personal growth gurus! They've got the cheat codes to success, and we're all ears. Whether it's nailing a new yoga pose or acing digital art, peeking into their journeys helps us level up our skills faster than you can say "golden years"! Whether in a professional or personal context, emulating their positive qualities can accelerate our own skill development and broaden our horizons.

It’s why we read, watch Youtube videos and listen to podcasts to glean those cheat codes to success. I love Dr Peter Attia for his no-nonsense advice for aspiring Centenarians.

3. Confidence Booster: Feel like you're just a tiny pebble on the beach? Well, role models are here to turn us into beachside rock stars! Watching them conquer their fears and embrace their uniqueness boosts our self-confidence like nothing else. When we witness someone similar to us overcoming challenges and achieving greatness, it instils a sense of belief in our own capabilities. This newfound confidence empowers us to confront obstacles with resilience and optimism.

When I finally got my Peloton bike, I started to notice women on the leaderboard with names like:

crazybikegrammy

embracingmy70s

fitfreakgrandma

onefitnana

I dug deep to see what workouts they were doing. WOW! If they could do that, I could do that. It worked for a while until I acquired an overuse injury, and I had to humbly admit that I had a way to go. But the bar had been set, and I am working my way back to that tribe.

However, most role model kudos goes to @sallyruby, the nonagenarian from Illinois who, with her family, flew to London to do a live Studio ride with her favourite instructor, Sam Yo, on her 92nd birthday!

4. Guiding Light: Ethical compasses, anyone? Role models embody the kind of goodness and wisdom we want to sprinkle into our lives. Their righteous paths light the way through life's dilemmas, helping us make choices that make our hearts and the universe happy. By observing their integrity, compassion, and empathy, we can shape our own character and contribute positively to society.

My guiding light has always been my now 91-year-old Dad. A lifetime commitment to his community has been rewarded with life memberships to his cricket, swimming and his precious golf club. In addition, he now lives in a street named after him. But to us, he is our beacon, the rock at the centre of our family, always there for any of his 4 children, 11 grandchildren and approaching 30 great grand-children who all adore Poppy.

5. Mind Bliss: When the storms of life hit, knowing that our role models weathered similar tempests brings us the ultimate comfort. They're our emotional anchors, reminding us that we're not alone on this rollercoaster ride. During times of uncertainty or difficulty, knowing that we are following in the footsteps of individuals who have overcome similar challenges can provide a sense of comfort and reassurance. Role models can serve as sources of stability and hope, contributing to our overall mental health.

I am fortunate to come from a large and close-knit multi-generational extended family who have a long history of supporting each other through life’s storms when survival depended on it. We all know we can reach out, and a hand will be there.

Let's raise a virtual toast to our role models – the unsung heroes of our personal growth sagas! Why not tag a role model who's been your guiding star?

So, how are you going to role model?

Here is my three cents worth:

1. Walk a Virtue Path: A good role model isn’t just talk, talk, talk. You live and breathe values like honesty, kindness, and responsibility, sprinkling decency everywhere you go. When you make the right choices, it's like a recipe for spreading positivity. By aligning your actions with principles, you can’t help but inspire others to adopt similar values and behaviours.

2. Grow Stronger Every Sunrise: A role model isn’t afraid of a little sweat. You’re like a sturdy oak tree, always reaching for the sky. You set goals and work your tail off to reach them. And when the storm clouds gather, you stand firm, showing everyone that growth comes from weathering life's thunderstorms. Your dedication to learning, adapting, and overcoming obstacles not only leads to personal success but also motivates others to strive for excellence and invest in their own development.

3. Lift Spirits: As a true role model, you don't just hog all the sunshine for yourself. You shine it on others, too! You’re like a beacon of support and encouragement, lifting people up with your words and actions. With a dash of mentorship and a sprinkle of belief, you help others dance through life's challenges like nobody's watching.

Remember, we're all in this together. Role modelling works both ways, enriching our and others’ journey toward success and fulfilment. Any school teacher can tell you: you never know when you drop a pebble into a pond what effect it will have. One word can impact a life far into the future.