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We now live in the age of longevity. Each generation is living longer, staying sharper, and remaining active far beyond what anyone expected just a few decades ago. Advances in healthcare, technology, and lifestyle choices have made it possible for people to thrive well into what used to be considered their "later years." With this increased longevity comes an incredible advantage—wisdom, gained not just from time but from decades of experience, challenges, and growth.
As a leader today, you don’t have to guess your way to success. You have the opportunity to walk the path illuminated by those who’ve gone before you—incredible leaders with 30, 40, even 50 years of experience in business, life, and leadership. These seasoned leaders can offer insights that only time and hands-on experience can provide, helping you navigate challenges and seize opportunities with clarity.
When I started, my mentors only had a few years more experience than I did. While they offered valuable advice, they didn’t know a whole lot more than me. They were learning right alongside me. Today’s WealthWave leaders have access to something far more valuable—seasoned guides who’ve not only seen nearly everything but are still charging forward with energy, purpose, and a passionate desire to help others succeed. This is the power of wisdom paired with longevity: a resource to help you grow, thrive, and lead with confidence in any situation.
Experience is now an asset that transfers faster than ever before, thanks to the interconnected world we live in. Wisdom is no longer locked away in boardrooms or tucked into the pages of old journals—it’s shareable, accessible, and ready to guide those who seek it. You don’t need to make every mistake yourself when someone else has already taken the fall, learned the lesson, and turned it into a roadmap for success.
I am constantly reminded of this quote, "It’s not hard to walk on water if you know where the rocks are."
The leaders who came before you didn’t just survive the challenges of their time—they thrived through them, innovated because of them, and emerged with strategies that can save you years of trial and error. The stories they tell, the insights they offer, and the shortcuts they’ve uncovered are priceless tools for growth.
In a world that often idolizes youth and innovation, we must remember this timeless truth: age and experience are competitive advantages when combined with clarity, purpose, and the willingness to share what has been learned. By embracing the lessons of those who’ve walked ahead, you can make smarter decisions, avoid unnecessary pitfalls, and walk confidently toward your goals—with the rocks clearly in view.
This is also the Information Age, a time when knowledge is more accessible than ever before. Never before has it been so easy to follow the blueprint of success. Leaders across industries have built great businesses, and now their words, strategies, videos, and marketing systems are available at your fingertips. Whether it's through books, podcasts, online courses, or social media, the tools to learn from the best are just a click away. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel or waste years figuring it out on your own. Instead, you can pattern your business after those who have already paved the way.
“Success leaves clues.”
– Tony Robbins
Find the leaders who inspire you, those whose values and vision align with your own. Study how they operate—how they talk, how they build, how they serve their audience or customers. Pay close attention to their habits, their leadership style, their messaging, and the strategies that have helped them succeed. Notice how they solve problems, create opportunities, and adapt to challenges. Then, take what resonates with your goals and model it in a way that fits your unique vision.
By learning from proven success stories and adapting those principles to your journey, you dramatically increase your chances of achieving your own version of success. The path isn’t about copying—it’s about learning, refining, and building on what works. If you do this consistently, your odds of winning skyrocket.
What used to take decades to learn and master can now be absorbed in just months—if you’re paying close attention and putting in the effort. We live in a time where knowledge is widely accessible, and you can clone not just the tactics of great leaders but their entire mindset. You can study and adopt their way of thinking, their decision-making processes, their language, and even the energy they bring to what they do. These are the skills that separate good leaders from extraordinary ones.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– Peter Drucker
The goal isn’t to copy blindly—it’s about modeling wisely. True growth comes from finding the patterns that work, adapting them to your own unique situation, and applying them with purpose. The right strategy can save you years of trial and error. The right mentor can collapse time by guiding you toward the shortcuts they’ve already uncovered. And the right example can help you see what’s truly possible, unlocking belief in your own potential to create something meaningful. The key is to remain a student, always looking for ways to evolve.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers on day one. It’s about learning from every experience, growing through challenges, and using the power of accumulated insight to guide your decisions. True leadership is a journey, not a destination. The longer your runway, the more you can see and understand. And the clearer your path becomes—not just for you, but for those who rely on your guidance and vision.
You don’t need to be 25 to build a powerhouse business or to make a lasting impact. What you need is clarity—a vision you believe in. You need a pattern worth following, built on principles and purpose. And most importantly, you need the courage to take the next step, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. Leadership means stepping forward, not just for yourself, but to inspire and empower others, especially when they’re looking to you for direction. Remember, every decision you make and every step you take builds momentum—not just for your success, but for the success of those you lead.
The age of longevity means this is just the beginning. No matter your age—25, 35, 45, 55, or even 65 like me—there’s no better time to embrace the power of experience. The best leaders today don’t rely solely on their own knowledge—they tap into decades of wisdom, both theirs and others’. They know that success isn’t about starting from scratch; it’s about building on the foundation others have laid. Start with someone’s best decade, learn from their triumphs and mistakes, and let their insight guide your path forward. Stand on their shoulders to see further than you ever could alone.
Be the leader who goes further—because you chose to start smarter.
Don’t just lead your way—lead the wise way. Learn, adapt, and build with intention. Lead by example by embracing change yourself. Show your team that you are open to learning new things and adapting to change, which will inspire them to do the same.
Follow well. Lead boldly. Build wisely.
Tom Mathews
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