Reaching One Hundred

Wrote 100 posts, learned a lot & reflecting on the top hits

When it comes to age, the number 100 holds a special place. I have only met a handful of centenarians in my life. The odds of reaching 100 years old based on US Social Security data for an individual that has reached 65 is 3% for men and 5.9% for women.

Reaching 100 of anything is an accomplishment. I once got roped into doing a charity bike ride. What I did not know was the ride was 170 miles long over two days. For kicks, my friend wanted to do the optional 15 mile legs on each day to make it a full century. I nearly died, but I made it.

One hundred comes up in other areas of life. Financial advisors are often asked to make a top 100 list of people to call in their first week on the job. Tech startups that reach $100 million in revenue have usually reached unicorn status and start thinking IPO. The 100 meter dash in track & field is the pinnacle of athleticism and sheer human speed.

Getting to 100 is not easy. Taking the first step is a difficult one, but in my experience, keeping the momentum and consistency going is even harder. Work interferes, life interferes, priorities change, lots of things happen that you cannot predict. Even this newsletter did not come out exactly on a weekly basis. I had to take a break a few times for travel or business reasons.