I am 56 this year and in 4 years’ time, be considered a Singapore “senior citizen” and will get to enjoy whole bunch of goodies from the Singapore government schemes and other privileges.
Many would say it is about time to slow down, smell the roses, retire and enjoy the fruits of my years of labor.
And why not?
But NO thank you!
I am not slowing down. I am STEPPING UP!
Why?
Because there is no better moment in my life than like RIGHT NOW where I am so much more that crystal clearer about who I am, what I have and what I really really want to do.
And here’s 10 reasons why this is the case for me.
1. Near Perfect Hindsight
Jim Collins, the author of “from good to great”, in penning his foreword for Buford’s book Halftime said, “Why capitulate to irrelevance after we‘ve spent decades accumulating empirical wisdom?”
Spending 56 years on this planet has given me loads of empirical data on what I love, what I hate, what I am great at, what I am horrid at, and what I have or don’t have.
There has never been a time such as now where the hindsight to my life is that near perfect.
And I don’t want to waste this hindsight on retirement. It would be a stupid waste! I didn’t invest years of hard work just to retire and reminisce.
But quite the opposite!
I want to capture all my moments of significant hindsights and move them into momentums of continuing change and transformation.
2. Longer Life Span
Compared to my forefathers who lived before me, I have a longer life span. And God willing, I can potentially live on the average 20-30 more years longer than them.
So to retire for the next 20 to 30 years simply cannot be an option. It would have been torturous and unthinkable!
There’s still alot of life and energy in the tank!
3. Health And Fitness
By God’s goodness, I have great health.
And by my good efforts and intentions, I have managed to keep fit and mentally sharp.
So for as long as I have breath in me, have health and am physically and mentally able, I want to continue traveling the world and helping people find and be great in doing their passion.
4. My Strengths
I know my strengths.
And I have learned HOW to do certain things in certain ways that give me consistently near perfect performances.
Now is not the time to turn my strengths off. It’s time to turn them on and focus them on people and on things that truly matter to me!
5. Focusing On What I Have
I had spent and wasted too many of my younger years complaining about what others have, what I don’t have, been deprived of, been passed over etc.
But the truth is that we all have far greater developmental potential when we look into what we have and what’s been put into our lives versus what we do not have and what’s been left out of our lives.
So as I look into my life today, I am bowled over by the fact that I have so many good things in my life that have yet to be reckoned, tapped or developed.
There is so much more that can be done with this life.
It is not used up yet!
6. My Passion
Today, I know my passion.
I am so clear about what my passion is that to not pursue it would be utterly insane.
I know what I value intensely, what I am deeply fascinated by and why I am emotionally driven.
So when you know your passion like I know mine today, you just can’t ignore it. It ignites itself and makes me just want to do everything I can to turn the things I am passionate about into reality!
7. My Reason For Work
Today, I know why I work.
Work is no longer just bringing home the income or just about making that career
It is so much more!
Work can be my income, my career PLUS it is a paid platform for my learning and preparation to do well in the things that my life and heart are truly passionate about.
Work sets me up to be successful for life!
All the good, the bad and the ugly that a working life has to offer me, they enable me to find and design the best creative solutions to live my best possible life.
Work today is no longer just a means to making a living, it is a means to making a great life!
8. In My Element and Sweet Spot
Today, I am firing on all cylinders!
I know what I want, what I am good at, and who and where I want to serve.
I am truly in my element, in my sweet spot, am self-driven, and hugely motivated. Now that’s a place I want to be for the rest of my life, work and relationships!
And compared to when I was a younger man, being in my element and sweet spot definitely bring on greater power and impact to everything I do today.
Now why would I want to give up on that?!
9. Nothing To Prove
A hammer does not need to prove it is a hammer. It just is. And it just does what a hammer is supposed to do.
At this stage of my life, I know who I am and what I am really shaped and driven to do.
There is really little pressure on me to do things to prove myself to others.
I do this for myself.
Today, I am caring a whole lot less what others say about me but a whole lot more what my own life has been saying about myself.
10. Nothing To Lose
And I have nothing to lose.
For all those passions, dreams, and yearnings that I have never dared to pursue or able to do before, I got to go for it now!
At 56 years old, I have far more to lose if I were to stay in status quo and not venture into exploring and testing out things that could be my life’s greatest meaning and purpose.
So if it is not now, then when?
Conclusion
Going on 56 years old and older is going to be for me, a most awesome season of life to be in.
I love where I am today in my element and sweet spot and relish the opportunities helping others find theirs.
So if you were me, what would you have done?
Slow down? Or step up?
I think you know what the decision is 
Kim Pong is the CEO and Founder of StrengthsAsia, Creator of the REFRAME MasterClass and the first 20 Gallup Certified Strengths Coaches in the world. He is based in Singapore and works with organizations in Asia in creating an engaged workplace culture for leaders, managers and executives to thrive.