Did you know… according to the U.S. government’s Administration on Aging:

  1. The population age of those 65 and over numbered 46.2 million in 2014, which is a 28% increase since 2004.
  2. Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.3 years.
  3. In 2014, there were more than 72,000 people in the U.S. who were 100 years or older.
  4. The 85+ population is projected to triple from 6.2 million in 2014 to 14.6 million in 2014 and is projected to more than double to 98 million by 2060.

These are staggering numbers, and it’s why I share them with my audiences when I talk about longevity.

But knowing the statistics is not enough. We need to ask why is it that some people become centennials and super-centennials (those who are 110+) and others don’t? One of the contributing factors is the development of self-worth. Personal worth generally emanates from a passion that reaches deep into the very core of our being. It’s what drives us to do whatever it takes to preserve our ability to be a player in the world and not merely a passive observer on the way out of it.

Passion, in turn, is rooted in conscientiousness and service to others. Conscientious people seek the fulfillment of accomplishment through hard work. They take pride in the things they do and are internally motivated to succeed in that which they set their mind to. Conscientiousness is a personality trait that requires a level of maturity and emotional intelligence. It is the opposite of the “entitled” perspective or the belief that because you’ve reached a certain age, you have earned the right to retire. That mindset is the kiss of death.

The alternative is to begin your journey towards becoming chronologically-gifted with some serious, thoughtful consideration of what your purpose is (or will be) for your remaining years. Think of your life the way a marathoner thinks about the 26.2 miles ahead of him/her. It requires conscious training to hold out against the odds, seek like-minded companions, and always keep the goal in the forefront of your mind.