Back in the early '90s pagers were more prevalent than cell phones, the Internet was beginning to experience real growth and personal computers were the buzz.
Today pagers are museum pieces, the information superhighway gives us access to more content that we can absorb and cell phones are fast becoming the hand-held version of our PCs, especially with the pace set by social networking activities.
Technology keeps us in touch with the world, or whatever portion of it we want to be part of, 24/7.
Of course, there are times when some of us want to have some down-time, but for many this is a luxury that cannot be realized.
Others don't want to be out-of-the-loop, so they stay in the game at all times.
These are individual choices, but the big question is how does one get the most out of the knowledge we have at our fingertips and the speed with which it can be disseminated? The answer is not to be loaded with information but to be capable of understanding and applying the wealth of content available to us.
Facts and data are of little value if we don't use them.
It can be for enjoyment, to enhance a project or effect change that touches others in a positive manner.
This suggests action, which involves connecting with others and sharing with them something worthwhile.
So, New Seniors, think back to 20 years ago when those 65+ were a vital part of the workforce.
Many held managerial positions and all of us had lots of employment and life experiences on which to draw.
We were the go-to people of that time.
Unfortunately, today's counterparts, living in an uncertain world, seem compelled to react and think in shorter time frames in order obtain faster results.
The process is like comparing checkers to chess.
That puts an emphasis on execution as opposed to planning.
Tactics rather than strategies.
So whether it's the business world, volunteer work or family matters, the disciplineswe learned and applied for years can be utilized in virtually any situation that may face New Seniors.
We won't be paralyzed by too much information or try to short-cut the process by not analyzing what's important.
Advanced technology does not do the thinking for us, although many would like it that way.
The more people depend on technology, the more they believe it can do for them.
Ask a child of the computer age to add a column of numbers or do long division and they'll turn to a calculator.
A New Senior might do the same; however, that personknows how to do it by hand and understands the methodology behind it.
Reading and comprehension is becoming a lost art as well.
This is not to suggest that New Seniors are smarter than younger Americans.
However, there are reasons to believe that those 65+ learned and embrace the basics.
Coupled with practical experience, it seems logical to conclude that New Seniors are capable of bringing unique capabilities to the task of problem solving.
All we need is the opportunity.