“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln

With advances in medicine, technology, and lifestyle, more people than ever are living into their 90s and beyond. But living longer isn’t the goal. Living well longer—with purpose, passion, and connection—is what truly matters.

Designing a 100-year life isn’t about cramming more into your calendar. It’s about making intentional choices—across health, career, finances, relationships, learning, and meaning—that help you thrive across every decade.

The Stanford Center on Longevity highlights that the traditional 3-stage life (education, work, retirement) is outdated. Instead, we need a flexible, multi-phase life plan that includes reinvention, contribution, and personal growth throughout our lifespan (Stanford New Map of Life).

So, how do you design a long life you’ll actually want to live? It starts with asking bold questions—and taking intentional action.

1. Envision the Life You Want (Not Just the One You Expect)

A 100-year life won’t be fulfilling by default. It needs to be designed. Instead of defaulting to society’s timeline—retire at 65, slow down after 70—ask yourself: What excites me about the future? What contributions do I still want to make?

Use visual planning tools like FutureMe (https://www.futureme.org) to write a letter to your future self 10, 20, or 40 years from now. Tools like The Life Compass (https://www.thelifecompass.com) help you map long-term personal and professional goals.

Action Step: Block one hour to design a “Life Map” for the next 10 years. Don’t just think in terms of age—think in terms of impact, experience, and adventure.

2. Prioritize Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan

Living to 100 is far more meaningful if you’re mobile, active, and mentally sharp. The Blue Zones study of the world’s longest-living communities emphasizes that daily movement, plant-forward eating, social connection, and a sense of purpose are key to longevity with vitality (Blue Zones Power 9).

Apps like:

Action Step: Choose one new micro habit—such as walking after meals or meditating for five minutes a day—and commit to it for 30 days.

3. Build Careers That Flex with You

The average career is no longer 30 years—it can be 50 or more. But that doesn’t mean sticking with one path forever. Career breaks, reinvention, sabbaticals, and purpose-based work are now part of a thriving 100-year life.

According to the World Economic Forum, more than 50% of adults will need to reskill by 2027 to stay professionally relevant (WEF Future of Jobs Report). This presents an exciting opportunity to grow on your terms.

Explore platforms like:

Action Step: Identify one skill you’d love to learn or deepen—and find a course or program to start this month.

4. Invest in Financial Freedom—at Every Stage

Financial planning is not just for retirement—it’s for living fully, fearlessly, and flexibly. A 2023 Fidelity survey showed that people who plan across life stages—not just for retirement—experience greater peace of mind and confidence in their future (Fidelity Retirement Mindset Study).

Use tools like:

Action Step: Schedule a “money check-in” this week. Review your finances through the lens of how they support the life you want to live—not just how much you’ve saved.

5. Make Meaning and Connection the Center

A fulfilling long life is filled with strong relationships and a sense of purpose. The Harvard Study of Adult Development—one of the longest-running studies on well-being—found that relationships are the strongest predictor of long-term health and happiness (Harvard Study).

Build time into your life for connection, contribution, and community. Volunteer, mentor, or simply reach out more often.

Use:

Action Step: Choose one person to reconnect with this week—or one cause to explore more deeply through service.

Live the Age Brilliantly Mindset

Designing a 100-year life means moving from default to intentionality. It’s not about living forever—it’s about living fully, with clarity, purpose, and joy.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of life would excite me at 90?
• How can I build toward that life starting today?
• Which areas of my life need a redesign—not just a routine?

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” And every decade is a chance to redesign and realign with what matters most.

We’d love to hear your vision. How are you designing your 100-year life? What tools, goals, or shifts are helping you get there?

Join the conversation in theAge Brilliantly Forum and connect with others who are building lives of purpose, possibility, and passion—one brilliant choice at a time.