Relevance at 100 Years Old

This past Friday, we gathered for my Grandpa’s funeral.

At 100 years old, there was no shortage of stories shared about his life, but one trait was well-known amongst the crowd... He never stopped learning.

Studying astronomy at 95. Reading the latest theology article at 98. Wrestling with global politics at 99. We could chat about anything and he'd have some thought or question about the topic at-hand. I diagnosed it as, 'incurable curiosity.'

That was Grandpa. Curious. Engaged. Willing to wrestle with big questions. Even at 100, he wasn’t done learning.

And that lifelong learning made him more than intelligent... It made him relevant.

The Meaning of Relevance

What made my Grandpa stand out, other than his incredible age, was that he kept evolving. He stayed connected to new ideas, new debates, and new perspectives. He didn’t cling to the comfort of what he already knew.

That made him relevant in conversations with people decades younger. It kept him engaged in a world that looked nothing like the one he was born into.

Relevance for him was maintaining the willingness to wonder, and always exploring new ideas. As the world changed, so did he. He was humble student.

Relevance in our Careers

And when you’re employed, learning the latest skill for your role is often baked into the job. You’re sent to trainings, given stretch assignments, and encouraged to stay current in your field. Adaptability is key.

But when you’re in a job search, that built-in 'relevance structure' disappears. Nobody assigns you new skills to learn. Nobody tracks your growth. Right now, staying relevant only happens through self-imposed growth and development.

Growth within the job comes built-in. Growth during the job hunt requires intentional effort.

The Pathway to Relevance

The candidate that shows up at the interview with the skills, insights, and expertise for tomorrow's world will be relevant today.

So how do you jump ahead of the competition?

Here are a few starting points:

1. Subscribe to industry newsletters.​ Identify 2–3 newsletters in your target field and skim them each week. Absorb the latest headlines regularly. 2. Listen to podcasts.​ On your commute, during a walk, or while cooking dinner. Hearing experts discuss real problems and solutions keeps you sharp. 3. Experiment with tools and technologies.​ Try out an AI writing assistant, a data visualization platform, or a project management app you’ve never used. Even surface-level familiarity can differentiate you in an interview. 4. Capture and share what you learn.​ Keep a simple journal or digital doc where you jot down new insights. Share a few of them in your next coffee chat and highlight your relevance with value. Incorporate these types of activities into your daily routine, and experience the momentum of a virtuous cycle.

When you learn, you gain confidence. When you learn, you expand your story. When you learn, you increase your value.

So next time you feel tired of looking at job boards or submitting applications, spend an hour investing in your future relevance.

Earning Relevance

That’s the challenge I’ll leave you with today.

You don’t need to master everything. You don’t need to predict the future. But you do need to commit to growing every day.

Because relevance isn’t given. Relevance is earned.