There in the brisk, rarefied air of Colorado, my former classmates will come together on the site where we once ruled the world. All weekend—especially late into Saturday night—my friends will reminisce about those Camelot years, that special time we now call “the good old days.”

I wish I could be there for three reasons. First, I really like the people I went to high school with. Second, I would find it reinvigorating to relive those special days that were filled with so much fun. Finally, I feel a need to defend my reputation when Kenny, the quintessential storyteller, regales our alumni group with wild stories that are always embellished and often fabricated.

Yes, those were the good old days, and they were good for the following reasons:

My selective memory

I am certain those high school days were not as wonderful as they now appear when relived through filtered memories and creative storytelling. Having a selective memory helps me to forget the bad and focus on the good. I prefer it that way.

To make today one of tomorrow’s “good old days” I will deliberately focus on the positive and minimize thinking about whatever might be lurking in the dark, sinister shadows.

Our teenage innocence

It felt like a simpler time back then. We didn’t know what we didn’t know, and that innocence made the world seem safer, warmer and even more colorful. Back then we were not saturated with 24/7 television “news” channels, nor did Twitter trends feed us with unending access to breaking news.

To make today one of tomorrow’s “good old days” I will regularly find quiet times when I can withdraw temporarily from the chaos and terror that threatens to destroy our world.

Taking things for granted

As teenagers, how could we know that too many people and things would soon disappear? Several of my classmates are now deceased, including a popular girl who died tragically in a California plane crash. Even in my own family, too much has changed. I remember my mom saying, “When you’re young you think you’ll have your parents forever, but there comes a day when they are gone.” Too quickly, that day has come, and I really wish I could hear mom’s voice one more time.

To make today one of tomorrow’s “good old days” I will be more aware of the abundance surrounding me, and I will savor the blessings that every person and every event bring into my life.

Seeing unlimited possibilities

High school was a time when our lives lay before us and endless opportunities stretched far beyond the horizon. A favorite quote of mine says, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” As I grow older, I often ask myself if my curiosity has been replaced with knowledge, and if my optimism has been supplanted by realism. I hope not.

To make today one of tomorrow’s “good old days” I will approach each new project with a beginner’s mind, refusing to be encumbered with the rigidity that often comes with experience and maturity.

Sometimes I fantasize about stepping into a time machine and going back in time to visit my much-younger self. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I’d like to share with myself when I was a teenager:

1. Don’t imagine worst-case scenarios. As Matthew 6:34 says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
2. Don’t spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror. Always cherish memories of days gone by. Yet, never forget that life is best lived when you’re moving forward.
3. Don’t wish for better days to come. Live fully in the present tense. Life moves fast enough without wasting time wishing for future events or circumstances that might make things better.

Nationally, the Red Cross has been undergoing a massive, top-to-bottom reorganization that will affect every person affiliated with the organization. The restructuring will reduce expenses and increase revenues, all with a focus on keeping the mission relevant in a rapidly-changing environment. To their credit, our national leaders have openly shared the unfolding changes via e-mails, online videos and frequent conference calls.

Anticipating that my position would be among those eliminated by the end of the summer, I shared the discomforting news with my wife and family. Then, with the clock ticking towards the start of a new fiscal year, I launched an under-the-radar job search. I first revised my resume and LinkedIn profile. With the full understanding and support of my boss, I shifted my networking into a higher gear and sent e-mails to a couple dozen strategically-placed contacts. I was encouraged by their immediate offers to help.

Prior to launching the public phase of my job search, I developed personal business cards, a career-highlights brochure and an assortment of collateral materials to use when the appropriate time came.

My Contingency Blog Posts

Finally, to explain the circumstances of my transition, I wrote a series of three contingency blog posts.

Sometimes I will write a contingency blog post to express ideas I may want to share at a later time. I will then delay publishing my thoughts until circumstances or events trigger my need to publicly share those ideas.

I wrote three such blog posts to describe 1) what happened, 2) the impact of what happened and 3) what I was doing about it. Nothing I wrote was done to vent anger or to seek revenge. Those who know me best understand that I will never burn bridges because I’m usually more focused on the road ahead than on the path I’ve already traveled.

Disappointed that I would likely not be part of the streamlined organization, I concluded my blog posts this way:

Setting aside the personal and painful impact, I can honestly say:

1. I trust the people making these decisions. Led by Gail McGovern, the leadership team is ethical and motivated by a passion to the mission of the Red Cross. Change is never easy, but I admire the transparent way in which Gail and her team have communicated and sought input at every step of the transition. This reorganization was not designed in some dark, smoke-filled room.
2. The Red Cross will ultimately be stronger. Overall, it makes good business sense to do what is being done. At times in the past, the culture of the organization focused too much on process and efficiency and not enough on results and impact.
3. Respect for the Red Cross brand will grow. Years from now I will still love the organization and will always hold my head high as I tell my grandkids that I used to work there, and in my own special way I helped to make the Red Cross what it is today.

I delayed sharing those thoughts until I knew for certain how the reorganization would affect me. I did not want to publish my blog posts until I was ready to launch the public phase of my job search.

The Reorganization Plan

As the impending reorganization continued to take shape, plans were announced to consolidate the staff functions of finance, human resources, information technology, marketing and communications.

Our national president and CEO, Gail McGovern, convened a two-day session of Red Cross leaders from across the country. My boss was among those selected to travel to Washington, D.C. The group’s mission was not to save jobs nor to protect the status quo, but rather to do what was right for the organization.

To oversimplify their discussions, the group recommended that the communications function not be consolidated. Gail listened to this feedback, wrestled with the implications and ultimately modified her plans. That was good news for me and most of my communications colleagues across the country.

The Good News

When the dust settles from the shakeup, we communicators will remain, albeit with job descriptions that have been revised for the better. Needless to say, I was pleased with the unexpected turn of events.

I recently had the opportunity share my thoughts with our national president and CEO. Gail was visiting the disaster relief headquarters in Joplin, Missouri less than a week after the EF-5 tornado destroyed much of that town. That was the first time I’d seen her in person, though I have always been inspired by her charisma, compassion and vision.

I did not seek her out, but Gail walked up to me as I was standing near our public affairs desk. As she and I were standing there face-to face, I briefly expressed my ideas about the reorganization and told her how much I appreciated her leadership and transparency.

A warm smile spread across her tired face. She thanked me, and then reached out with both arms and gave me a big hug.

I’m proud to work in an organization led by someone like her! I am also grateful that I will continue to be a part of the American Red Cross.

A young girl turned 11 years old.

Because she and her family lost their house in the tornado, the shelter’s dining room provided the best place for a birthday celebration. To make the occasion special, a friend baked a cake and brought it into the shelter. The bright smile on the girl’s face demonstrated how happy she was that someone remembered her birthday.

When she saw me, she eagerly asked if I would like a piece of her cake. I said, “Yes, but only a small one, please.” She cut into the cake and handed me a piece three or four times larger than my definition of small.

I thanked her, honored to be including in her party.

As I ate the cake, I took special note of the girl’s sweet spirit. I imagined how she and her family had made other plans to spend the day in a completely different way. Not only did the tornado blow those plans aside, it destroyed the house where the girl and her family lived. Now, they were living temporarily in our Red Cross shelter.

I found it ironic that we were celebrating one of life’s milestones surrounded by such vivid evidence of how life’s circumstances can change so dramatically and unexpectedly. The tornado reminded us that life’s journey takes us over a winding, twisting road. For too many, the path came to a premature end.

Pushing aside those somber thoughts, I again thanked the girl for the cake.

Her mother, standing behind her, redirected my expression of gratitude. “No, thank you!” she said. “Thank you for being here to help us.”

It was a humbling experience. Although the mother was looking directly at me, I knew she was really thanking me for what I represented. As I stood there in my Red Cross disaster vest, I accepted her “thank you” on behalf of everyone who was part of the humanitarian relief efforts.

Although I ate the cake without sharing, I do feel compelled to share the mother’s “thank you” with countless others who were part of the team.

You were, in essence, standing right there with me if you were part of the Red Cross family in Joplin. You were also there if you are currently part of the Red Cross team anywhere across the country. In a very real way, you were there with me if you are a donor to the Red Cross, or to our partner agency, the United Way.

Yes, you were there. You helped in more ways than you probably know. You were part of the team that helped an 11-year-old girl and her family celebrate one of life’s special occasions.

On behalf of the girl, her family and her neighbors who face an uncertain future, allow me to share the softly spoken words of a loving mother:  Thank you!

Quotations inspire me. They focus me. They motivate me.

I like the way an eloquent quote can elegantly reflect the light of resplendent wisdom. To me, each quotation has special value.

I collect quotes as a gem collector might gather precious stones. Like gemstones, quotes were never meant to be hoarded and stored in a dark, out-of-sight vault. Rather, they are most appreciated when shared and displayed for the enrichment of all.

If you also appreciate quotes, I invite you to meander through this collection of my favorites, categorized by these topics:

1. Being Creative
2. Planning and Goal Setting
3. Being a Leader
4. Learning, Teaching and Being Well Educated
5. Understanding Life’s Transitions
6. Marketing Effectively
7. Achieving Success
8. Creating a Compelling Vision
9. Overcoming Adversity
10. Chuckling with Yogi

Starting off on the right foot is essential for ongoing career success. When I began my current job in 2006, I bought and read an invaluable book called The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins. Anyone making a fresh start would be well-advised to buy his or her own copy of the book and study it.

The book lists 10 things you should accomplish during the first three months in your new job. Within the book each step is discussed in detail, but for your convenience I’ve summarized those steps here:

1. Promote yourself. Mentally break away from the mindset of your old job and think of your new one as a promotion that will require new ways of achieving success.
2. Accelerate your learning. The learning curve may be steep. There will be so much to learn in your new environment, so do everything you can to quickly absorb what you need to know.
3. Match strategy to the situation. Diagnose the business situation accurately and then quickly develop a customized plan of action.
4. Secure early wins. You need a few early successes to build credibility and to create momentum. Early on, identify ways to create value.
5. Negotiate success. Plan a series of critical conversations with your new boss—the one person most essential to your success. Make sure he or she has ownership in your 90-day plan.
6. Achieve alignment. Assess whether the organization’s strategy is sound and whether the supporting structure is properly aligned.
7. Build your team. During the transition, you must be willing to make tough personnel decisions and select the right team members.
8. Create coalitions. You must influence people beyond your direct line of supervision. Create supportive alliances, both internally and externally.
9. Keep your balance. Keep your perspective and maintain your equilibrium. Balancing the personal and professional facets of your life will help you stay focused on the right priorities.
10. Expedite everyone. Help others achieve their success.

If you’re beginning a new job, or even launching a major project, make good use of your first 90 days. What you do during those first three months will likely determine your success and failure.

Good luck!

I’ve had three such times—1) being diagnosed with cancer, 2) losing a job and 3) dealing with my mother’s unexpected death last month.

Journaling is a practice that helps me get through those rough, white-water times. As I write, I deliberately focus on positive thoughts, thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for in spite of my circumstances.

As I’ve tried to mend the hole torn in my heart with Mom’s passing, I’ve developed a lengthy list of things that I’m thankful for. This has already been an essential part of my grieving and healing process. Here’s a partial list of what I’ve come up with so far:

1. Mom did not suffer long. She died quite unexpectedly and I’m thankful that she did not endure a lengthy, painful illness.
2. I’m thankful that Mom died in the hospital rather than at home. She had a nurse at her bedside when her heart stopped so the Code Blue prompted an immediate response. Had she died at home without immediate medical care we might always be left to speculate, “If only…”
3. She lived a full and abundant life. Though 80 years of age is too young to die, she filled those eight decades with worthwhile and memorable activities.
4. Mom left an endless stream of positive memories for those of us who are left to carry on. She will remain in our hearts forever.
5. And speaking of forever, I’m thankful for Mom’s faith that assures life after death and gives hope for a happy family reunion sometime in the future.
6. There were no unresolved issues between us. There were no unspoken words of love. In my relationship with Mom, I have no regrets that might someday overshadow my memories of her.
7. Dad and Mom had preplanned and prepaid their funerals. I can’t imagine having to make all those decisions within hours of learning the tragic news. Coincidentally, Dad and Mom changed funeral homes less than two weeks before Mom died. Dad assures me that neither of them had a premonition that they would use the services so quickly.
8. I’m also thankful that years ago Dad purchased long-term care insurance. Mom had been an important caregiver to Dad, and now that she’s gone we have good options as we help Dad make decisions about his future.
9. Family and friends have been extraordinarily supportive. I give thanks for each of them.

My list includes many more items, some that will remain private for my own personal reflections. I share the above list, though, as an example of things that have helped me as I seek a silver lining around an otherwise dark cloud.

Giving thanks represents an essential part of my spirituality. Too often I find myself asking God for things when I’d be much better off giving thanks for what I already have. I keep reminding myself of the wise advise given in Philippians 4:6 (New Living Translation):

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

I have found the practice of journaling to be especially effective.

Journaling for Comfort

Last month when my mom died unexpectedly I received an e-mail from a friend and former co-worker. She also lost her mother unexpectedly within the past year, so she expressed her condolences and then passed along some practical wisdom, saying, “A dear friend told me the day after mom died to keep a diary of those first few days. You may think you’ll never want to remember them but there comes a day when you’ll look back on a particular kindness or a surprise visitor and smile.”

Though it’s been less than a month since Mom died, I’ve already filled more than 20 pages in my journal. I also kept a detailed timeline of everything that happened during the first week. I instinctively knew that the events transpiring during that surreal time would soon become a blur and my memory would inadequately recall everything.

Journaling for Direction

Four years ago when I lost my job, I filled an entire blank book with my journal entries. As part of a job search, I focused on reinventing myself, my life and my career. What I learned from my writing continues to help me today. Journaling was such an invigorating process that I still refer back to my journal/notebook as if it were a sacred reference manual for my career and personal branding.

Journaling for Healing

Six years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, a friend from Oregon sent me an e-mail of support. He said, “I would encourage you to keep a journal of your journey and list all of the blessings God has provided—things that brought you to this point and things that will happen as you go through this process.”

I burned through countless journal pages during that time as I searched for healing, an inner peace and a deeper understanding of what was happening to me.

Journaling for Everyday Insights

Writing, I’ve discovered, is much too valuable to be done only during my most difficult times. It has become a form of mediation, personal grounding and even prayer.

There’s something magical about holding a fountain pen and letting it tell me things I need to know. As I write, I begin to understand what I’m really thinking. The fog lifts and I can see with much greater clarity. As I journal, my protective armor falls off and I can feel the raw, primal energy needed for me to live an authentic, transparent life. As I write, the chaos around me becomes quieter and I can hear a still, small voice whispering words of wisdom.

Strangely, journaling is much more listening than it is writing. I become more aware of the abundance surrounding me, and rather than wallowing in the misery of difficult times, I find my heart overflowing with gratitude. Yes, there’s something magical about journaling that helps me feel more alive.

Mom looked healthy in this photo taken less than a week before she unexpectedly died. (Photo taken by my brother Gary)

Today would have been Mom’s 81st birthday. Sadly, last week our family gathered to bury Mom who died suddenly from cardiac failure. At her funeral, I fought back tears to read a tribute I’d written in her honor. With only slight editing, here’s what I shared with family and friends who had gathered to honor the special lady we all loved.

++++++++++

Thank you for being here. Your presence means a lot to the family, especially to Dad, Gary and me.

Earlier this week we received ongoing updates on who was planning to be here. We learned that Mom’s brothers, nephews, nieces and grandchildren would be traveling from California, Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado.

As the list grew longer, I kept thinking, “This is great! Mom will be so happy to see everyone.”

Then I’d get choked up as my new reality quickly set in. This time we were not planning another family reunion. Nor a 50th anniversary celebration. Nor the wedding of one of Mom’s grandchildren.

Sadly, this is not one of those happy events. We have come here to mourn. We have suffered a big loss, and we are here to grieve.

But we have also gathered to celebrate the joy and the love and the happiness that Mom brought into each of our lives.

For as long as I can remember, wherever family has gathered Mom has been right in the middle of the activity.

Last night at the visitation my cousin Kathy said, “Your Mom was the glue that held the family together. She kept us all connected.” How true! Major family events had Mom’s fingerprints all over them. She was a planner. She was an organizer. Mostly, she was someone who loved being with family and friends, so she’d do whatever she could to make such events happy and memorable.

When you boil it all down, Mom loved three things with all of her heart:

1. She loved Jesus.
2. She loved family.
3. She loved friends.

I want to talk about each of those briefly.

1. Mom loved Jesus with all of her heart.

Mom and Jesus talked a lot. That’s what good friends do.

Mom listened to what he had to say. For example, she read her Bible regularly.

On their 23rd wedding anniversary, Dad gave Mom a leather-bound Bible. Today, it is well-worn and quite fragile. Texts throughout have been underlined. In the margins are many handwritten notes. In the back are several blank pages where Mom wrote out quotations she found inspiring, verses important to her and notations from difficult periods in the lives of her family.

She eventually retired that Bible and replaced it with another. This past weekend when I took Dad to church, I asked, “If Mom were here, which Bible would she take with her?” Dad pointed to the one beside her favorite chair. It was right where she had left it, and inside there was even a pen marking the place where she had last been reading. Since Mom could not take her Bible to church, I picked it up and took it for her.

In addition to listening to Jesus, Mom talked to him. She had a lot to share with her friend. She prayed for Dad. She prayed for Gary and me and for our families. She prayed for each of her grandchildren every day.

2. Mom loved family with all of her heart.

She loved her husband. Even while hospitalized last week, Mom talked more about Dad’s health than she did her own.

Mom loved her two sons and their families. She expressed her love in so many ways. When I hurt, she hurt. When I was carrying a heavy burden, she was always with me helping me to carry it. Several years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did Mom pray, she also fasted. When I would go to the oncologist, one of the first people I’d call was Mom. I’d give her the good news from my checkup and I’d also let her know she could satisfy the hunger incurred from her fasting.

Mom deeply loved each of her grandchildren and prayed for each daily. To Mom’s grandchildren, let me say this:  Those same prayers will be continued by your mothers and other family members who share the same commitment that your grandmother did.

Yes, Mom loved all of her family. Reunions, birthdays, Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas morning won’t be the same without Mom.

3. Mom loved friends with all of her heart.

She loved doing things for others.

Many of you have been guests in her home and have eaten the delicious meals she lovingly prepared. She enjoyed baking and sharing what she’d made.

Last weekend tears streamed down my face as a family friend recalled how—on the day after Mom died—he finished eating the last of the two loaves of banana nut bread Mom had given him just before she went into the hospital.

Mom loved each of us with all of her heart. A week ago today the very heart that she loved us with stopped beating.

Mom’s love continues to surround us, though. Her memory will forever remain in our hearts.

Family Farewells

Whenever Mom told any of us family members goodbye, she would always flash the sign language message for “I love you.”

It became her signature salute at any family farewell.

For years, whenever we would pull out of her driveway and head towards home, she would wave with that familiar gesture. Whenever she would leave our house after Thanksgiving, Christmas or other major events, she would always flash the “I love you” sign.

Because I know that someday we’ll be reunited, today I won’t say a final goodbye to Mom.

Rather than saying goodbye, I’ll simply close by saying, “I’ll miss you Mom. And I love you.”

I just finished re-reading the classic little book Who Moved My Cheese? It gave me a better understanding of what is happening in the nonprofit community—not just here in Kansas City, but across the nation.

For many years, the national United Way system has been struggling to redefine itself. Its leaders have created new methods for allocating money, and somehow they believe that “moving the cheese around” will make their cause more attractive to donors who have, over the years, found United Way to be waning in relevance.

That logic escapes me. In my opinion, United Way will become less relevant as it leaves gaping holes in human services programs. I guess you could call it their “Swiss cheese model” for meeting human needs. I assume United Way realizes that its decision to cut much-needed funding will actually force established, well-respected organizations such as the American Red Cross to compete more directly with them for contributions from within the same donor pool.

Personal Disclosure

To be transparent, I must disclose two important facts about myself before I continue sharing my opinions.

First, I am responsible for marketing at the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City, the single largest recipient of United Way allocations in this region. Though I am employed by the Red Cross, this blog post has been written on my personal time and entirely reflects only my own opinions, not those of my employer.

Second, before coming to the Red Cross I served as the vice president of marketing for the United Way of Greater Kansas City. Because I have always had great respect for the organization and its mission, I am both a Diamond Donor (meaning I’ve given for 25+ years) and I’m also a member of the Leadership Giving Circle. However, in the weeks ahead I intend to reevaluate whether United Way is the wise investment I once thought it was.

By the way, I have many friends who work at United Way. They are exceptionally professional individuals and nothing I say here is a personal indictment of them or anyone else.

Dealing with Change

My purpose is not to disparage United Way or to marginalize its role in the community. Rather, this is my assessment of what the American Red Cross and other such organizations must do when forced to search for “cheese” in new corridors within the maze.

I believe major funding cuts from United Way can provide defining, watershed moments for progressive organizations. When compelled to find new sources of “cheese” these organizations will reduce their long-standing dependency upon United Way as a funding partner. Such changes can ultimately strengthen the American Red Cross and other nonprofit agencies as they regain more control over their own destinies.

So what are the first steps in recovering from a sudden and unexpected change of plans?

For starters, we must find answers to three very important questions—questions that are relevant far beyond the context of the evolving relationship between the Red Cross and United Way. The following questions can bring focus to any organization, group or individual confronted with major change:

1. What happened?
2. What impact will this have?
3. What are we going to do about it?

Let’s briefly look at each question, applying it to whatever changes you may be encountering in your life.

1. What happened?

To think clearly, you first must remove emotion from your assessment. Look objectively at what has happened. Ask lots of questions, analyze data and study the trends. If essential information is missing, find ways to acquire the needed information.

2. What impact with this have?

Once you understand what actually happened, you then need to ask, “So what?”

Evaluate the impact of your changing circumstances.

No matter what, never let something distract you from fulfilling your mission. Organizations and individuals alike must determine how they can best stay focused when unexpected change happens. You’ll likely have fewer resources to work with and adjustments will be inevitable. But never allow that to become an excuse for backing away from your purpose or mission.

3. What are we going to do?

After you know what happened, and once you understand the impact, it time to make a plan and take action.

Often it’s helpful to convene a group of diverse stakeholders who can brainstorm ideas from a variety of vantage points. A well-facilitated planning process can produce ideas that a visionary leader can then use as the basis for a plan of action.

Final Thoughts…

One thing is certain—the future will not be an extension of the past. Change happens. Someone moved our cheese. So what are we going to do about it?

The American Red Cross has an important work to do in the community. Much is at stake and we have some crucial decisions to make. I trust that we will respond with an abundance mentality rather than with a fearful scarcity mindset. I hope to be part of creating the long-term solutions that will help the American Red Cross continue doing what it does best—with or without United Way.

I’ll close with a favorite quote from the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest and, therefore, when most was required of imagination in order to build at all.

I’m afraid of obsolescence—becoming obsolete, irrelevant and dispensable.

Every employee, every worker and every professional has an expiration date (and I don’t mean a date with death). Like milk in the grocery store, everyone has a “Best If Used By…” label. Everyone has a skill set, a knowledge base or a network of contacts that will be outdated very quickly in today’s fast-paced world. No one buys sours milk, no matter how fresh it once tasted. Neither do employers hire or retain obsolete workers, no matter how productive they once were.

Being obsolete is not a matter of age or longevity. It’s a mindset. I know long-term employees and also older workers whose ideas are very relevant and marketable. Yet I also know some well-educated, talented young professionals who are teetering on the precipice of obsolescence.

I know a young woman, for example, who scoffs at those who use social media. She thinks it’s a fad and she’s too busy for trivial things. She doesn’t have time for such frivolity. I predict that she’ll soon have more than enough time when she’s looking for another job. Before she re-enters the workplace, though, she’ll need to reinvent herself to become relevant—something she should have done while gainfully employed.

We all know people who don’t yet understand the value of social media. That’s okay—there’s still hope for them because ignorance can be overcome. Who I pity are co-workers, friends and job seekers who are almost obsolete and don’t even know it. They, like dinosaurs, will become extinct unless they quickly learn to adapt to their rapidly changing environment.

So what’s the answer? Quite frankly, I’m still trying to figure that out. I’m certainly no mountaintop guru offering sage advice to others, but here’s what I strive to do daily to be relevant and to extend my shelf life:

1. Think strategically. An obsolete person is usually busy working on tactics not tied to strategy. Strategy begins with asking why? and then moving to the tactical implementation of how.
2. Use new tools. Combine old tools with new ones. Strategic communications works best when traditional media (TV, radio & newspapers) are supplemented—not replaced—by new media (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.).
3. Find mentors and co-conspirators. Some of my best mentors are nearly half my age. I also meet monthly for breakfast with a hand-picked group of exceptionally creative, progressive and relevant people.
4. Absorb lots of ideas. Read! Read! Read! I have a tall stack of books I’m reading about the social media revolution. I read blogs by cool people like Chris Brogan. I listen to podcasts by innovative people like Susan Bratton. I also watch YouTube videos and read books and blogs by progressive thinkers like Seth Godin.
5. Share lots of idea. I blog to help me figure things out. I comment on others’ blogs to keep their conversations going. I create content in such places as Facebook and Twitter.

You’ll never remain relevant by simply discarding the old and embracing the new. Rather, you’ll be wise if you do both—merge the traditional with the new. Use common sense and cling to ideas worth preserving while simultaneously adopting new and better ways of doing things.

The world will be a better place if you stay relevant. On the other hand, something will be forever lost if you become obsolete.