Last month at an event in Newport Beach, I gave a keynote to the usual crowd of software CEOs and investors. But one founder really stood out.
A 64-year-old Mexican-American entrepreneur, without funding or formal education, had built a large Hispanic grocery chain over several decades. That alone was impressive.
But beyond his business acumen, one observation he shared about life hit home.
“Growing old is the hardest thing you’ll ever face. You become an alien in your own country. You don’t understand the music, how young people dress, or even how people talk.”
With a big birthday coming up, I had to face a hard truth: my future self risks becoming a stranger in time.
The evidence surrounds us. When did you last recognize a Billboard Top 10 song? Or understand why your daughter’s fashion choices are “literally fire”?
This isn’t about staying current. It’s about maintaining genuine connection to a world that constantly rewrites its cultural code.
Cultural fluency is an indicator of an adaptable mindset. You don’t need to decode every TikTok trend, but perhaps loosen your grip on outdated thought patterns or a rigid identity.
The line between relevance and obsolescence isn’t drawn by age. It’s carved by adaptability and awareness. Mental calcification is the true enemy.
We can choose the uncomfortable path of evolution and growth, or become artifacts of yesterday.
flexibly,
Navin
P.S. I’ll be addressing these concepts at my next mindset workshop in New York; ping if interested.