Holiday gatherings are great for meeting interesting people. I had the pleasure of meeting a fascinating octogenarian named Ollie over the Memorial Day weekend. And I am glad I did.
Ollie was full of vigor and possessed a zeal for life like few humans I have ever encountered. He embodied Dos Equis’ The Most Interesting Man in the World, and his stories captivated my attention.
While we were chatting, I happened to notice that Ollie’s wristwatch had stopped working. I pointed to his watch and mentioned that its battery must’ve died.
“Oh, this watch hasn’t worked in ages. I don’t worry much about time anymore,” Ollie said.
I found his reply to be curious and wondered why he bothered to wear a watch. Was he Jimmy Buffett fan, believing it was always five o’clock somewhere? When I asked, Ollie told me that he deliberately leaves his watch stuck on five o’clock to remind himself of his “five/five rules”— the “secret” to his vitality.
Fifty-five rules? To me, that seemed like a lot of rules to live by.
I suspect Ollie sensed my skepticism. He clarified, “No, not fifty-five rules. F-I-V-E/F-I-V-E rules.” He explained that his life was guided by five rules, each involving the number five:
Rule #1: If it won’t matter in five years, don’t waste more the five minutes worrying about it. I have heard this rule before, and it resonates with me. Sometimes referred to it as the “5×5 Rule” or the “Five Minute Rule,” the concept keeps pettiness from causing people to lose perspective.
Rule #2: If five years from now you’re going to regret not doing it, start doing it now. Life is largely about living with regrets. The end of your life will be more enjoyable if you can lighten your regret load along the way. Ollie pointed out that you can make up for lost money and lost sleep, but it’s hard to make up for lost opportunities.
Rule #3: You don’t need more than five of anything. Moderation matters. As the saying goes, too much of anything can be a bad thing. Excess stymies creativity, creates clutter, and plateaus the soul. Conversely, moderation enables efficiency, sparks ingenuity, and invigorates the soul.
Rule #4: Refuse to allow yourself to be content with being the same version of yourself that you were five years ago. Seek opportunities for growth—mentally, physically, and emotionally. A commitment to lifelong learning keeps the mind sharp and the soul green. You start dying the moment you stop growing.
Rule #5: Give yourself a high-five every day. This rule is akin to “celebrating your victories.” Studies have shown that gratitude positively impacts your health. Studies have also shown that people respond positively to recognition. Make a point to acknowledge the daily challenges you overcame and thank yourself for persevering.
Nobody offers a more sincere perspective on life than someone nearing its end. Ollie’s rules not only provide a path for a happy life, they provide a blueprint for building a mindset that can help you be a better teammate.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
