- Midlife Crisis
It’s been 55 years since this phrase has been coined and dozens of academic studies have shown that what happens in one’s forties (and maybe early fifties) is more of an “unraveling” or “awakening.” I prefer to think of it as the “Great Midlife Edit” since it’s when accumulating crests and the discernment of what’s important emerges. - Knowledge Worker
Management theorist Peter Drucker coined this phrase 60 years ago and suggested these white-collar information economy workers would rule the future. Seven of the ten most valuable companies in the world today are tech companies, but no one uses the job title “Knowledge Worker” on LinkedIn. We’re awash in knowledge but what’s valuable and scarce in 2020 is wisdom. Welcome to the era of the “Wisdom Worker.” - Senior Citizen
This nearly century-old euphemism for an old person is worn out. Do we call young people “Junior Citizens”? In the era of the unfortunate “OK Boomer” reputation, I’d rather be known as a “Global Citizen” who is focused on needs beyond my own. - Retired (retirement)
Do you want to be defined as “withdrawing and receding” or be referred to as “the removal of something from service or use”? It’s been 85 years since Social Security was invented in the U.S., specifying retirees could receive full benefits at 65 (even though life expectancy was 62). Average life expectancy for someone 65 years old today is nearly 85. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going out to pasture any time soon.Don’t call me retired. Call me rewired. Better yet, I am reinspired.
What words do you think should be retired?