113: Feeling Irrelevant?

Maybe it's because I'm solution oriented.

Or maybe it's a desire to contribute something I believe has value.

One thing, I know about myself is that I fear being irrelevant.

It's not solely about being trend-aware - though that's also on my radar.

Perhaps feelings of irrelevance come with age.

You might occasionally feel like you've lost the plot in the big book of life, especially during conversations with those younger than you.

However irrelevance lands in your psyche it doesn't have to mean you're out of touch although it can motivate you to increase your self-awareness.

And maybe increased awareness is the point.

Aging or being out-of-touch, either one can dull your relevance but you can also sharpen your senses and avoid moments of irrelevance

Cut yourself some slack for being irrelevant when what's in question is more of an opinion than possessing worthwhile knowledge.

Relevance has value when context, wisdom, and understanding are necessary.

Aim for contextual accuracy

Context is king.

I'm a writer, so that's expected.

Context is the environment where information and ideas take-off and land with the desired effect.

An idea, a story, or a solution out of context won't get traction.

Those conversations where your well-aged advice, counsel, or experience are needed must first consider the context.

You know those moments when you've inserted yourself into a conversation or a circumstance and quickly discovered your advice was past it's use-by date.

That's the sting of irrelevance.

Relevance relies on context...accurate context!

• Read the room, the moment, the conversation like a book: before you turn the page to drop a wisdom-bomb make sure it fits the context.
• Be self-aware: is this the right time, place, or person for what you're prepared to say?
• Listen with your eyes as well as your ears: visual cues are as important to verbal cues when relevant context shapes the conversation.

Share circumstantial wisdom

Wisdom gained leads to wisdom applied.

Aging gives you permission to share the wisdom - you've earned it.

Like context, wisdom is best shared when the circumstances align with what you're prepared to share - otherwise you're at risk of being irrelevant.

In a historical sense, wisdom is timeless but circumstances govern whether or not it's timely.

Being well-read will help (and I mean books and weighty articles, not media sound-bytes), especially where historical knowledge has relevance.

Experience calls to mind the circumstances where your earned-wisdom was acquired - sharing your wisdom will have a greater impact when you recognize similar circumstances.

Show conditional understanding

"Seek first to understand before being understood."1

That's classic wisdom from Stephen Covey and one of his infamous 7 Habits.

Irrelevance rears it's unfortunate head when you inject your perspective or opinion into a conversation or challenge without first seeking first to understand.

The two-sides-to-every-story idea applies here.

And you won't know the full-story until you apply some relevant understanding.

Dispensing unsolicited advice sidesteps the value of conditional understanding.

Seek understanding before you react.

Irrelevance thrives on misunderstood conditions.

Out of touch or out of your depth, both reveal the need to up you relevance factor

Context. Circumstances. Understanding.

These enhance your relevance as you age.

Press on...

Eddie

Sources:

1 - Stephen R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.